The University of Hawai'i at Manoa

Volume 1 - Ethnic Law & Medicine (April 2006)

Return to index

Chinese Ethnic Minority Symposium – Welcoming Remarks

Author:

Ronald Brown
Director, Center for Chinese Studies
Professor of Law, School of Law, University of Hawai'i at Manoa

Welcome

On behalf of the Center for Chinese Studies (CCS), Central University for Nationalities (CUN), the University of Hawaii (UH) Medical School, World Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Traditional Medicine (BUCM), Yunnan University and East-West Center, Guest speakers from China

Introduction to Symposium

Two Themes

  • Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAMS)
  • Chinese National Ethnic Minorities

Cooperative Relationships

  • UH Medical School and World Medicine Institute on CAM Programs
  • Internationally – CUN, Yunnan University, and BUCM on Chinese Ethnic Minorities

Purpose of Symposium

  • Enhance the cooperation between our partners
  • Provide substantive papers for publication in a new web-based journal on Chinese Ethnic Nationalities – the first volume on Ethnic Law and Medicine (fundamental subject areas to begin understanding about who are the Chinese National Ethnic Minorities).

Blending two themes of Ethnic Law and Medicine

  • Both topics deeply affect the lives of Chinese Ethnic Minorities and American citizens,
  • To understand ethnic minorities,
  • To Provide alternative approaches to common issues,
  • Day One – emphasis on Law,
  • Day Two – emphasis on Medicine.
  • Topics are Inter-related

Example I

  • CHINA-- development and export of local products (domestic and foreign)
  • A small plant discovered with possible medicinal value and grows in a Minority/Autonomous area.
  • Very rare and valuable.

Legal questions

  • Who owns it? (Are there Intellectual Property rights?)
  • Who can exploit it?
  • Who decides – government (central, local), or private investors?
  • Who will protect the environment and local culture?
  • Can it be exported to foreign countries?

Medical questions

  • Plants have real medicinal value?
  • Is it a “herb” or a “drug” (a “controlled substance”) – requiring a “licensed” doctor to prescribe it?—medical and legal issues are involved.

Example II

  • FDI in China
  • Build new resorts
  • Property development
  • Promote tourism

Questions:

  • Who can sell property? Who decides? (government vs. landowners?)
  • If environmental impact on people, land, or culture – who protects them?
  • If land use is for theme parks – good or bad way to promote cultures? Who decides?
  • Who profits – Government (local, central), investors?

Issues

This symposium addresses some of these issues:

  • We have representatives from China and U.S. – legal and medical experts on minorities,
  • And, this morning we are honored to begin with a representative from the State Ethnic Commission –
  • in charge of overseeing rights and interests of Chinese National Ethnic Minorities,
  • Director Wang Ju, Deputy Director of Culture and Publicity, Chinese State Ethnic Commission