ICEC – A NEW CHAPTER chose to reflect life like a mirror and judge the shortcomings in the system. However, as the economic reforms spread, Chinese society started to register many manifestations of inequality, including gender inequality. The most prominent examples of gender inequality were female infanticide, illegal trafficking of women, prostitution, discrimination in the workplace and so on. It is under these circumstances that a new brand of women writers came to the fore and started to write about the concerns of women and their journey of self-discovery. These women writers reflected the growing consciousness among women and the challenges faced by Chinese women. Zhang Jie ( ) is certainly the pioneer in crafting women protagonists that showcase the emerging image of women in Chinese society. Zhang Jie started to write quite late in her life; her first work came out in 1979 when she was already 40 years old. She created waves in the literary arena with her unconventional themes of educated urban Chinese women who had to make a choice between love and marriage or love and career. Since Zhang Jie grew up in the idealistic climate of 1950’s, thus, her characters are drawn on impressions of both Confucian morality and socialist ideals. Most of her ‘central’ characters are women who stay divided between conflicts of love, marriage and career. Zhang Jie’s early works are the best examples of the New Realist trend (1976-1981) which serves humanity rather than politics. Her Love Must Not Be Forgotten is a trendsetter as it rediscovers the existence of romantic love that was mostly suppressed under political sloganeering. The novel clearly distinguishes between the private world of women and public world of society. When concepts like humanism and human nature were emerging as new trends in literature, Zhang Jie was delving into such sensitive issues. Quite obvious in her work The Ark, Zhang Jie boldly portrays women’s disaffection with conventional values and behaviour. Also, despite her special concern for women’s fate, Zhang Jie has a special place for the principles of socialist society and shows all her character striving to contribute their energy and talent towards the improvement of a socialist society. Therefore, all three women protagonists of The Ark
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he India China Economic and Cultural Council (ICEC) launched its Gujarat chapter in Ahmedabad on August 26, 2011. HE Mr Zhang Yan, Chinese Ambassador to India, was the Chief Guest at the launch which was attended by representatives of several leading corporate houses, government, trade and industry bodies. At the launch some leading corporate houses like the Adani Group shared their experiences of working in China, while two Chinese companies who are doing business in India namely ZTE and Huawei Telecommunications presented their views on doing business in India. During the visit, Excellency Zhang Yan met Mr Narendra Modi, Chief Minister of Gujarat. Apart from building bridges for cultural relations between China and Gujarat, they discussed about stronger economic relations. Excellency Zhang Yan also invited Mr Modi to visit China which he accepted. As part of its, the ICEC – Gujarat chapter and the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) jointly organized a tree planting campaign under the INDIA
and the protagonist of Emerald, apart from seeking their individual identities, also lay stress on their professional commitment. Zhang rejects the supposed premise of gender equality in China since liberation even though most of her women characters are educated, efficient and devoted professionals; Zhang Jie seeks an equality that did not make gender distinctions but allowed people to live as individuals rather than as men and women, a style that is uniquely her own. It can be said that Zhang Jie has primarily worked on two themes in her major works with female protagonists; one is her portrayal of Chinese society and social duty as in her Leaden Wings and another the more dominant one, is the trials and tribulations of women caught in the different facets of life including love, marriage, profession, that can be found in Love Must Not Be Forgotten, The Ark and Emerald. All a must read!!
MANJU HARA is a Research Scholar at Jawahar Lal Nehru University.
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CHINA GREEN INITIATIVE, where 500 trees were planted by students from various schools and colleges of Ahmedabad. Each plant was named after the student and each student was given a “Vrukshmitra” certificate. With ICEC kick-starting its operations in Ahmedabad, the people and the business community of the state can now easily avail the many important services offered by the ICEC. The major services and activities of the ICEC include import sourcing from China, buyers/ distribution system for export to China, technology hunting, JV partnership identification – both sides, taking & hosting trade delegations, translation services, starting Chinese language courses in Ahmedabad, scholarships to study in China , China business tour planning with appointments & factory visits, exhibition plan – factory visit, inspection of goods, reference/ credibility check – all industry verticals, press coverage in China, tourism & cultural events – like building a culture centre at Kailash Mansarovar, research for the governments of India & China, advocacy in India & China, etc.
H.E. Mr. Zhang Yan giving the inaugral speech at the launch of Gujarat Chapter
H.E. Zhang Yan with Mr. Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat
Mr. P.S. Deodhar addressing the audience at the launch of Gujarat Chapter
Chinese Delegation meeting Mr. Gautam Adani, Chairman, Adani Group
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