BFSU Prof: Exploring Feminism in Chinese Int'l Relations

Li Yingtao, a professor at Beijing Foreign Studies University [China Women's News]

Li Yingtao, a professor at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) is a witness to the development of the subject "international politics and feminism in China" from the beginning. The subject aims to introduce feminism from the perspective of Chinese people into western research, to show the experiences of Chinese women.

Li was born into an ordinary workers family and was struck by the simple viewpoint of her mother who often complained how hardworking women are in their family lives. Later, Li was appointed by BFSU to attend training courses organized by the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) to prepare for the 4th Conference on Women, the UN conference in Beijing held in 1995, and finally she was fortunate enough to be one of China's formal representatives.

Such good news made Li excited, and opened her mind. She believed that her academic study was greatly influenced after participating in the event. It enabled her to recognize gaps in her knowledge, so she decided to return to school. In September 1996, she was admitted by the International Relations Institute of Peking University to start her studies for a Doctoral degree, under Professor Yuan Ming.
 
Yuan is a famous scholar in the field of international politics. She suggested visiting some further professors experienced in women's studies elsewhere in the university. Under the help of Yuan and other specialists, Li began her international relations study in feminism but she met many difficulties.

"I used to think of giving up since the dissertation was too hard for me," Li said. "However, finally I didn't stop and kept working on it, which was closely associated with the support, comfort and encouragement of my husband." After finishing her dissertation, Li's first book "International Politics from the View of Social Genders" was published in 2003, and was known as the first specialist text on the study of international politics on feminism in China.

Li presented her course "Feminism and International Relations" at BFSU as a teaching reform project in 2006. She cherished the opportunity and was serious in preparing for her lectures. Nevertheless, the first class was unexpectedly challenging for her. The questions from learners were too rigorous; she had to better improve the contents of her course and prepare more elaborately.

Even though Li was very stressed confronting these learners as a new teacher, she impressed many. She believed that the final success of her course owed much to her students. The Research Center of Social Gender and Global Issues of BFSU was set up in December 2006, with Li as the first organizer and initiator. She worked as the standing vice-director at the first research center for colleges to study global issues from the perspective of gender. Since the founding of the center, it has made a great contribution to social gender study, the promotion of gender equity, exchange and cooperation between China and overseas.

Li was fortunate to witness and get involved in the development of her subject from the beginning. In her mind it aimed to introduce the theories of western feminism to China as well as adding Chinese views and the daily lives of Chinese women. Li thought it was crucial for international study both at home and abroad and its meaning will be greater with its peaceful development in China.

(Source: China Women's News/Translated and edited by Women of China)