China

Leonard Woodcock Papers

aorchard — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 11:54:47 -0400

Leonard Woodcock was a longtime labor figure who rose to the level of President of the UAW in 1970 and held the position until 1977. He then embarked on a renowned diplomatic career, first leading a mission to recover POW's and remains of those missing in action in Vietnam in 1977, and then serving as Chief of the US Liaison Office to the People’s Republic of China (PRC). While in China, he negotiated with PRC leaders to establish full diplomatic relations between China and the US, officially achieved in late 1978. President Carter appointed Woodcock as the nation’s first ambassador to the PRC in 1979. After leaving the State Department, Woodcock would become a professor at the University of Michigan and was invited around the world to lecture on Sino-American relations and the labor movement. The Leonard Woodcock Papers primarily cover the subject’s time spent in China and his various China-related activities. The earliest of these materials document his efforts working for the US government in Beijing, though also included are records related to visits made to China in the following years to speak on Sino-American relations. Other records reflect Woodcock’s later career as a renowned Sinologist, teaching courses at the University of Michigan and guest lecturing around the nation. Besides Woodcock’s time in China, other topics included are materials from his time as president of the UAW, general correspondence, and serving on the Board of Governors at Wayne State University. Complementing the manuscript materials on Woodcock's diplomatic career in China are 37 oral history interviews on this topic conducted between him and fellow Sinologist Michel Oksenberg.

(7821) Ethnic Communities, Chinese, Celebrations, Chinatown, Detroit, 1943

eclemens — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 10:43:21 -0500

A Dragon Dances its way down Third Street in celebration of the 32nd anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Republic. The festival that accompanied the parade collected funds for the relief of Chinese war orphans.

(35322) Leonard Woodcock and Deng Xiaoping

gstrassel — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 09:17:37 -0400

Meeting between the former American Ambassador to the People's Republic of China, Leonard Woodcock, and PRC founding father Deng Xiaoping.
From left to right: Deng Xiaoping’s daughter, Leonard Woodcock, Deng Xiaoping, Sharon Woodcock.

(38883) Ethnic Communities, Chinese, Demonstrations, 1938

eclemens — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 14:12:57 -0500

Members of Detroit's Chinese community march down a street, possibly Third Ave., during a demonstration against the Japanese occupation of China.

(79693) Ethnic Communities, Chinese, Language, 1958

eclemens — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 10:43:21 -0500

Lee Shing, a groceryman at 1033 Third Avenue in Detroit's Chinatown writes the Chinese words for "good health" and "good luck" as they appear in Chinese ideographs. Beside them he writes "fat toy" and "ho toy" the same sounds and ideas as they appear written in the phonetic English alphabet.

Note: The photo accompanies an article on the efforts of the Communist government of China to standardize language and do away with pictographic writing.

(79737) Ethnic Communities, Chinese, Celebrations, 1941