September 2025 Monthly Gathering -The Chinese Dream: Restoring the People’s Republic’s “National Greatness”

Live and via Zoom, 7:00 pm (EDT) Saturday, September 20, 2025:

Since he became China’s preeminent leader in 2012, Xi Jinping has pursued an agenda to make the country prosperous, strong, harmonious, and globally influential in advance of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic in 2049. This talk will explore specific policies that the CCP has implemented to achieve this “Chinese Dream”, including domestic efforts to eliminate poverty and construct a unified national identity, and global outreach like the Belt and Road Initiative. It considers results to date and challenges that will impact China’s drive to cement superpower status over the next quarter century.

Join the members and guests of Southeast Michigan Mensa at 7:00 P.M. (EDT), on Saturday, September 20, when Wayne State historian Dr. Elizabeth Lublin, will lead us in our examination of Xi Jinping’s and his goal of national rejuvenation with the aim of restoring China to its historical place as a great world power.

A historian of modern Japan, Elizabeth Lublin taught courses on East Asia at Wayne State for over twenty years. Her early publications examined the reform activism of the Japan Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, and her current research explores Japan’s tobacco and match industries. Altogether, she spent roughly seven years in Japan before joining the faculty at Wayne State in 2001. The highlight of those years was an audience with the Emperor and Empress. This privilege came with Lublin’s receipt of a Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship. Dr. Lublin received a Ph.D. in Modern Japanese History, from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Live Presentation

If you are able to attend the live presentation, you have the opportunity to mingle with your fellow Mensans and guests at our usual location:
Northwest Unitarian Universalist Church in Southfield
23925 Northwestern Highway
Southfield, MI 48075

Doors open at 6:30 pm (EDT). The program begins at 7:00 pm (EDT).

Ticket prices
Members 13+ years old: $5 or buy a strip of 4 tickets for $15.
Guests 13+ years old: $7
Members and guests 12 & under: Free
Exact change is appreciated!

Following the presentation, please join us for dinner at:
Buddy’s Pizza
31646 Northwestern Highway
Farmington Hills, MI 38334

Virtual Presentation (Zoom)

If you prefer to to attend virtually, pre-register:

  • click tinyurl.com/SEMM-2025-Gathering
  • choose “September 20, 2025 6:30 pm” from the drop-down box
  • fill in your name and email address
  • click the “Register” button

The Zoom room opens at 6:30 pm (EDT) for mingling. The program starts at 7:00 pm (EDT).

There is no charge for the Zoom presentation, but, due to rising costs, your donation via PayPal is greatly appreciated.

  • click PayPal.com
  • log in (or sign up)
  • click the “Send” button
  • Enter the e-mail address: treasurer@webmaster
  • click the “Next” button
  • enter payment amount ($5 is recommended, but feel free to send any amount)
  • fill “What’s this for” with “SEMM Zoom Presentations”
  • click the “Next” button
  • select your payment method
  • click “Send”
  • bask in our appreciation