Learning

WHAT: "Daughters of the Bamboo Grove: from China to America – the true story of abduction, adoption and separated twins", an online RASBJ book talk by author Barbara Demick 
 


WHEN: 8-9 PM Beijing Time, Wednesday 6th August 
 


ABOUT THE EVENT: Barbara Demick's latest book, "Daughters of the Bamboo Grove" tells the story of two sisters torn apart by the forces of history, and attempts to bring them together. Fangfang and Shuangjie were twins born illegally during China's one-child policy, and in 2002, Fangfang was snatched from relatives. The family worried they would never see her again, but they didn’t imagine she could be sent as far as the United States. She might as well have been sent to another world. Former Beijing bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times, Barbara Demick reveals the origins, cruelty, and impact of China’s one-child rule; the rise of international adoption and the religious currents that buoyed it; and the exceedingly rare phenomenon of twin separation. 
 


ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Barbara Demick is author of "Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea", "Logavina Street: Life and Death in a Sarajevo Neighborhood" and "Eat the Buddha: Life and Death in a Tibetan Town" which was published by Random House in July 2020. She was bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times in Beijing and Seoul, and previously reported from the Middle East and Balkans for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Demick grew up in New Jersey and graduated from Yale College. Her North Korea book was a finalist for the National Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle Award. She was a press fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, a Bagehot fellow in business journalism at Columbia University and a visiting professor of journalism at Princeton University. She lives in New York City. 
 


HOW MUCH: Free for members of RASBJ; 50 RMB for members of RAS branches in London, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Seoul; 100 RMB for non-members. Alipay may be an easier payment method than WeChat. You can also pay by credit card. Interested in becoming an RASBJ member? Please sign up at https://rasbj.org/membership 
 


HOW TO JOIN THE EVENT: RASBJ members should click “Register” or “I will attend” and follow the instructions. After successful registration you’ll receive a confirmation email with a link to join the event online. If you seem not to have received it, please check your spam folder. Members of partner RAS Branches: Please register 72 hours in advance to allow time for membership verification. You'll receive three emails from us: the first confirming receipt of your registration request, the second requesting payment, and the third confirming receipt of your payment, with a link to join the event online. Please check your spam folder to ensure you see all RASBJ emails. 
 


REFUND POLICY: If the event is cancelled, registrants will be refunded in full.

Join us at the BCIS Early Childhood Center Open House on Saturday, July 26, from 9:30 to 11:30 AM. Designed for families with children aged 2–6, this special event offers a glimpse into our nurturing, bilingual environment. Discover how BCIS celebrates 20 years of excellence while inspiring a future of success for every young learner.

Get ready for the Chinese Tea Culture this Friday afternoon! Gather your friend, family or colleagues.

Let's talk freely and enjoy a fun-filled afternoon!

WHAT: "Once We Were Allies: The US Effort in the China-Burma-India Theater in WWII" by Dr. David Finkelstein (online)

WHEN: Wednesday, July 23, 2025 from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM Beijing Time

MORE ABOUT THE EVENT: 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII, and commemorations are being held around the world. However, the US military effort in the China-Burma-India (CBI) theater is receiving scant attention, relegating it to the status of a "twice forgotten theater." In this photo-rich presentation, retired US Army Officer and historian David Finkelstein focuses on the US military in the CBI theater, at the operational and tactical levels of the war: in arid Assam, in the sub-zero temperatures flying over the "Hump", in the steaming jungles of Burma, and in lush southwestern and central China. It is the narrative of American and Chinese ground forces working together to regroup, retrain and re-equip to take back Burma (today's Myanmar) from the Imperial Japanese Army. It is the story of the US Army Air Corps executing the world's first sustained strategic airlift, creating bomber bases in Sichuan Province to attack Japan, and executing precision supply drops to American commandos deep in Burma's jungles. It recalls the over 3,000 combat advisers embedded in Chinese operational units; US Army doctors and nurses who provided medical support; and tens of thousands of Chinese forces trained and equipped in India before returning home to defend their homeland. Most of all, it is a narrative of Americans and Chinese—military and civilian—working together to keep China in the fight.

MORE ABOUT THE SPEAKER: David M. Finkelstein is a life-long student of defense and security developments in Asia. Currently he is the director for Asian security affairs at the Center for Naval Analyses in Arlington, Virginia. Formerly a career US Army officer holding various command and staff positions in field units, he has more than four decades of experience in the military, academia, and the international think tank scene. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, received a PhD in Chinese and Japanese history from Princeton University, and studied Mandarin at Nankai University in Tianjin, China. He has served as Director for Asian Analyses on the Joint Staff and on the faculty at West Point teaching Chinese history, Japanese history, and the history of warfare in Asia. The Secretary of the Navy recently honored him with the Distinguished Public Service Award. Dr. Finkelstein is a member of the National Committee for US-China Relations.

HOW MUCH: This event is free for RASBJ members, RMB 50 for members of RAS branches in London, Shanghai and Hong Kong, and RMB 100 for non-members. Interested in becoming a member? Please sign up at https://rasbj.org/membership/

HOW TO JOIN THE EVENT: Please click "Register" or "I will Attend" before July 21 and follow the instructions. If you encounter difficulties paying via WeChat Pay, you may wish to use Alipay or an international credit card instead. After successful registration you'll receive a confirmation email with a link to join the event. If you seem not to have received it, please check your spam folder.

MEMBERS OF PARTNER RAS BRANCHES: Please register at least 72 hours in advance to allow time for membership verification. After successful registration you'll receive several emails from RASBJ; please check your spam folder to ensure you see all RASBJ emails.

REFUND POLICY: If the event is cancelled by RASBJ, all paying registrants will be refunded in full.

Join professional photographer Sean Gallagher (National Geographic, TIME, The Guardian) for this new 1-day photography workshop in BEIJING in which you will learn the secrets to make compelling environmental portraits!

In this new photography workshop, you will learn to take portraits like a professional photographer, working on a series of images about the people of Beijing. You will explore the fascinating hutongs of the center of the city, making images of the unique people of this area. Sean will show you not only how to make individual images, but also reveal to you how you can make series of portraits that tell a story.

Many people struggle with making portraits of people. You may feel unsure how to approach people, you may be unsure how to frame the image, or even interact with subjects as you take their photo. In this workshop, Sean will personally help you and guide you to create your own powerful portraits.

This workshop is aimed at amateur photographers who are ready to go beyond taking snapshots. Let Sean show you the true power of photography through learning the art of environmental portraits and photographic storytelling!

Join the Drama & Music Camp for ages 5–16 from July 21–25 at Jinshang·Yuan, Beijing! Designed by Dr. Yarden Kedar, this camp blends fun, creativity, and science-backed activities. Kids enjoy drama, music, and English learning while making friends. Hours: 9:00–14:00, lunch included. Location: 北京市朝阳区新源里西20号. Brought to you by AbstractKids. Let your child shine this summer!

Location: Jazzy Preschool, Beijing
Dates: July–August 2025
Ages: 3+
WeChat: Jazzypreschooloffice

Looking for the perfect way to keep your little one engaged and inspired this summer? Jazzy Preschool invites children aged 3 and up to join an unforgettable six-week Summer Camp filled with fun, learning, and multicultural discovery.

Running throughout July and August, our trilingual (English–French-Chinese) camp sparks creativity through immersive weekly themes—from Les Gaulois avec Astérix et Obélix to the whimsical world of Alice in Wonderland. Campers will also explore the ancient city of Xi’an, meet Native American cultures, enter the universe of Transformer robots, and travel back to the brilliance of the Italian Renaissance.

Each week is packed with interactive storytelling, hands-on crafts, music, movement, and games—designed to bring history, culture, and imagination to life in a joyful and playful environment.

Parents can choose between weekly or full-camp registration options, with convenient hours from 8:30 to 16:30, Monday to Friday.

 Spaces are limited—secure your child’s spot today and let the summer adventure begin!
 

Feel free to reach out via WeChat at Jazzypreschooloffice for more details.

Beijing Calling
Join my Language Workshops on the Weekend of July 12-13! Unlock Your Speaking Skills: 
Practice English , Chinese , or Spanish the most enjoyable way: interactive drama games!  Experience Language Differently in a unique, fun, and effective way 

Sat July 12 th 14:30-16:30  Chinese
Sat July 12th 17:00-19:00 Spanish
Sun July 13 th 17:00-19:00
English 

Limited spots available – claim yours today! 
Know someone who'd love this? Share the invite! Looking forward to meeting you all! Dr. Modesto Corderi Novoa 莫帝博士Expert in language teaching.
modimodi001

Get ready for a summer of fun, creativity, and discovery at LMMP!

Our summer camp is open to current and former LMMP families and welcomes children to explore, play, and grow in a warm bilingual environment.

When: Details are on the poster, 9.30-12.00
Where: No. 29, Liangshuihe Erjie, BDA, Beijing, 100176
Price: Free
Description:
Don't miss out this summer! We're now warmly recruiting for our Summer School Open Day! The principal will stay on campus during the summer and share the curriculum system in depth on site, helping you dispel the confusion of school selection and clearly plan your child's growth path. You'll also get to take an in-depth campus tour, experiencing the international education atmosphere from all angles by visiting advanced teaching buildings and specialized functional rooms. This is a rare opportunity. Apply now and embark on this campus exploration journey!