The 1st International & 3rd China-US Symposium on Children’s Literature was hosted by Ocean University of China (OUC) in Qingdao between June 4 and June 5, 2016. 

Prof. Li Huajun, vice president of OUC, delivered a welcome speech. He said that this symposium is aimed at providing an international academic platform for exchange and communication among scholars of children’s literature and also for in-depth dialogue in this field to boost international cooperation and exchange.

At present, OUC is actively promoting internationalization in our education, and international cooperation and exchange continue to be deepened and promoted to a higher level, said Vice President Li. He added that he hopes this International Symposium on children’s literature will enable scholars from home and abroad to make good use of valuable academic resources so as to further advance the studies of children’s literature at OUC.

Prof. Cao Wenxuan, who has just won the Hans Christian Andersen Award not long ago, said in his ceremonial speech that China has gradually adapted itself to the international cultural background, with a large number of translators introducing the philosophical, social, and scientific masterpieces of various kinds from all over the world to China. 

“Children’s literature in China has absorbed and made good use of these resources, opening a new chapter, either in theory or criticism. Excellent works of children’s literature have been used as the reference for Chinese children’s literature,” said Prof. Cao, adding that Chinese writers of children’s literature have been readjusting their attitude and writing methodology. The writing of children’s literature, either for classics, or commercialized purposes, has gained a sunny result.

With the theme of “Children’s Literature: Theory and Practice”, the symposium  was comprised of five sessions, namely, “Children’s Literature and the Education of Chinese Language and Literature”, “the History and Current Situation of Children’s Literature”, “the Interpretation of Theory and Texts”, “the Comparative Studies of Children’s Literature ”, and “the Stylistic Studies of Children’s Literature”. Nineteen key-note speakers shared their presentations at the symposium.

The 1st and 2nd China-US Symposium on Children’s Literature organized by OUC in cooperation with Texas A&M University and University of South Carolina were held in 2012 (in Qingdao) and 2014 (in the U.S.) respectively. 

To further expand international communication and collaboration in the studies of Children’s Literature, OUC has invited scholars from more countries to the symposium. More than 60 scholars and writers from home and abroad attended this symposium.  

Prof. Cao Wenxuan delivers a ceremonial speech

The part of the participants in the symposium poses for a group photo

Translated by Tong DING

Proofread by Richard HOLLOMAN and William ZOU