Pair of prominent diplomats visit KU
Takao Shibata
A major player in negotiating the Kyoto Protocol and a seasoned Japanese diplomat, Takao Shibata is the chancellor's lecturer for the academic year.
China's ambassador to the United States visited KU's Confucius Institute recently at the KU Edwards Campus. Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong and Consul General Xu Jinzhong, toured the institute's teaching and office facilities.
Shibata helped negotiate the Kyoto Protocol, a treaty between major industrialized nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He has served in Japanese embassies in Sweden, Zimbabwe and Nigeria. He was also consul general of Japan in Kansas City.
Shibata gives lectures, visits classes and answers students' questions. He was staying at the chancellor's guest house until earlier this month. He will return for another visit from January through March.
Shibata's stay is sponsored by the chancellor's office, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Center for East Asian Studies and the Center for International Business Education and Research.
The ambassador also met with Chancellor Robert Hemenway along with the institute's directors and Chinese culture and language teachers.
"We are honored by the Ambassador's interest in our program and eager to welcome him to campus," said Bill Tsutsui, institute director and KU professor of history. "His taking the time to come to visit the institute shows the significance of the institute and KU to the Chinese government."
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