Jack Li: Building a bridge for the future

[Photo provided to China Daily]

As an example, Li mentioned that both US basketball and tennis have advanced training and a sound management system. He is considering similar measures for Chinese junior and senior teams at the SUSCS venue.

To this end, he has hired tennis coach Nicolas James Bollettieri, who has worked with the likes of Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Maria Sharapova and the Williams sisters.

"This could be an overseas training base for Chinese sports teams - even professional teams - in the future," Li said.

"As an overseas Chinese, I am more than happy to do something for China by using my personal network and financial resources," Li said.

Since its opening, the center has run smoothly hosting a variety of activities, including the New Jersey Chinese leaders symposium's Spring Festival painting exhibition held jointly with the China National Academy of Painting and the North American Chess Competition held jointly with China Chess Association.

Just last month, the 2015 Red Carpet Celebrity Art Show and Music Concert, featuring well-known Chinese actors Tang Guoqiang and Zhang Tielin and singer Guo Feng, was successfully staged.

The events attracted not just local Chinese and Americans, but also officials like the Chinese consul general in New York and US government representatives.

"Communication between countries needs to be through government action, but I think interaction between people is actually more important," Li said.

"As a non-governmental institution, I see us as a supplement to government and state action for people of the two countries to get to know and to understand each other better," Li added.

Last year, Li registered the Princeton Art Academy at the venue, aiming at introducing traditional Chinese culture to Americans by offering courses on Peking Opera, Chinese cross talk, calligraphy, traditional Chinese brush painting and treasure evaluation. At the same time they will introduce American sports training, sports management, financial management and investment to Chinese groups via short-term training courses.

"Chinese culture is so broad and profound, with so many things worth introducing to people overseas, not just Chinese people," said Li, who describes his academy as a kind of private Confucius Institute.

"Due to the commercialization and capitalization of the modern economy, advanced management knowledge and experience is what Chinese managers are looking for in America management, which represents the highest level of management in the world. The market is massive," Li said.

"China's economy is growing so fast and I think has achieved a spectacular economic development miracle. But at the same time, some issues arise. As an overseas Chinese and also a spectator, I see where China does need to be improved," Li said. "China needs to study the West on such things as economic management, social management and many other things."