Salem and Guangzhou (Canton) have maintained over two hundred
years of friendship through trade and friendly exchanges. After the first U.S.
voyage of the "Empress of China" in 1784, many Americans were
attracted by the success of this inaugural trip to the orient. In 1786, Salem
dispatched its first ship, the “Grand Turk,” to China carrying many local
products. It traveled to Guangzhou (Canton) and Hong Kong and became the first
Salem ship to reach the Far East, thereby opening Salem’s long history of trading
with China, especially Guangzhou (Canton).
On July 28 and July 29, Salem State University and Guangzhou
University will jointly host a conference on the theme of “Salem Sails to
Canton: From the Old China Trade to the New U.S.-China Relations. This two day
conference will be held at Salem State University and will include
scholars from Salem State University and Guangzhou University as well as from
the Peabody Essex Museum, Massachusetts Historical Society, University of
Freiburg in Germany, Jinan University, and Guangzhou Oriental Museum.
Conference topics will cover both the history of the China trade and the
current relationship between China and the United States. For a detailed program itinerary click
here.
Conference Details:
Monday, July 28 – Tuesday, July 29
Marsh Conference Center (210 Marsh Hall)
71 Loring Avenue
Salem, Massachusetts
Registration fee: $25, includes all program sessions and
lunch both days. Register Here.
Monday, July 28, 2014, 9:00 AM
Marsh Conference Center
Contact Professor Li Li or li.li@salemstate.edu
