AROUND THE WORLD
Thierry Meynard, S.J., director of The Beijing Center Thierry Meynard, S.J.
Thierry Meynard, S.J., began his term as the third director of The Beijing Center in August. Meynard, a former professor at Fordham University, holds a PhD in Chinese philosophy from Peking University and
Q+A
currently teaches at Sun Yat-sen Uni- versity. Loyola magazine recently spoke with Meynard about his experiences in China and at The Beijing Center.
What experiences do you have that led you to become the director of TBC?
I arrived in China in 1988, working in Hong Kong as an engineer. I discovered a very fascinating culture, especially in the local Catholic Church in South China. I decided that I felt the calling to become a priest and to work as a Jesuit in China. I went back to France to do my studies in philoso- phy and theology. While I was in France, I studied Chinese language and culture. In 1997, I went to Taiwan for one year to study intensive Chinese. I arrived in Beijing in August of 1998, with
the first batch of students at TBC. Of course we were only 10 people at the time, but, for me, that program was very important, because I could continue to study the Chinese language, and I
took classes that had a very strong impact on me, like a class on Chinese philosophy. The class was taught by the chair of the department at Peking University. It was a chance to get deeper into the understanding of Chinese culture and history.
What attracted you to China?
I have been in China for more than 20 years and have made it my permanent home. I was initially attracted by the long history and culture of China, by its ancient texts. I slowly discovered how Chi- nese culture is alive today amid deep transforma- tions. Some Chinese people feel pessimistic about the survival of Chinese culture. Culture, however, is not a rigid reality but always changing. I really believe that the economic success of China will
22 LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO
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