Ambassador visits Wesleyan College(2)

Acknowledging that the current U.S.-China relation is very complicated and challenging, Qin said "we need to work harder to put it back on the right track" and "people-to-people exchanges" can improve understanding between the two people just like the Soong sisters helped the American people understand China at that time when it was fighting against fascists.

Fowler said the school is proud to be the steward of the Soong sisters legacy all these years, and, in a way, Wesleyan is better known in China than in the U.S. because of the Soong sisters.

Wesleyan's connection with China now goes beyond the Soong sisters. The college has formed a partnership with Guangzhou University to offer dual degrees from both schools. More than half of Wesleyan faculties had spent months teaching at Guangzhou University before the pandemic, and dozens of faculties from Guangzhou University taught at Wesleyan, according to Fowler.

Wesleyan also enrolled as many as 75 Chinese students a year before the pandemic. "Many chose Wesleyan because it's the alma mater of the mother of their country, Song Ching ling. We hope to see those students return very soon," Fowler said.

A relationship with China enriches the college, Fowler said. "It's a way to broaden our minds. When we know each other, talk to each other, work with each other, we find that we have more in common with each other than what is different about us," she said.

During the visit, Qin presented Fowler a certificate in recognition of her outstanding contribution to China-U.S. educational cooperation and women's education and leadership and donated a few books about China and Chinese culture to the college library.

In return, Fowler presented to Qin a 1936 Wedgewood China plate that commemorated the first 100 years of Wesleyan and a portrait of the three Soong sisters by an Atlanta artist.

The same plate was given as a gift to Soong Chingling who placed it above the fireplace next to the portrait of her parents, Fowler said.

Wesleyan will co-host an exhibition on Soong Ching ling and Sun Yat-sen to celebrate the 40th year anniversary of the Soong Ching ling Foundation in Beijing, Fowler said.