The Hopkins-Nanjing Center for Chinese and American Studies marks its 20th anniversary in Nanjing, China, on June 22–23 with a series of events culminating in the presentation of awards to former Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Qian Qichen and former U.S. Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger.

"Twenty years ago, it would have been unimaginable for Johns Hopkins leadership to envision the China that we will be visiting in June," said Dean Jessica P. Einhorn. "For Nanjing University and ourselves, this is a celebration rich with meaning and excitement."

Friday’s festivities will begin with the graduation ceremony for the class of ’07. Students will lead tours of the center’s new building - a 10-story structure that adds 100,000 square feet of classroom, library, office and residential space as well as a new auditorium and conference center to the existing facilities. Alumni class dinners also will take place that day.

Saturday’s activities include panel sessions on how the United States and China have infl uenced each other and personal reflections from alumni on their time at the center. JHU’s Peabody Institute violinist Qian Zhou will travel from Singapore to perform.

The formal celebration will begin in late afternoon with the dedication of the new building, reading of congratulatory letters and conferring of the Hopkins-Nanjing Center Award for Outstanding Contributions to Cultural Understanding Between the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China to Qian and Kissinger, with keynote remarks by both.

Qian has been involved with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China for the past 30 years. He has served as foreign minister several times since 1988 and last served as vice premier of the State Council from 1998 to 2003. He made signifi cant contributions to developing China’s relationships with foreign countries, particularly the former Soviet Union and the United States, over the course of his long diplomatic service.

Kissinger is widely credited with opening diplomatic relations between the United States and China during his secret trip there in 1971, paving the way for President Richard Nixon’s official visit the following year. Kissinger served as assistant to the president for National Security Affairs from 1969 to 1975 and secretary of State from 1973 to 1977. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1973.

"We are honored to present the Hopkins-Nanjing Center award to two accomplished statesmen who have fostered the strong relationship between China and the United States that we now enjoy," said Kathryn Mohrman, executive director of the Washington office of the Hopkins-Nanjing Center. "We look forward to welcoming back our many alumni and friends to see firsthand how the center has flourished over the years."

The celebration will close with a dinner and gala ball on Saturday night, with champagne toasts by JHU President William R. Brody and Nanjing University President Chen Jun.

For more information about the upcoming anniversary celebration, visit
www.sais-jhu.edu/nanjing.