Rhode Island Historical Society Presents: Annual Goff Lecture Examining 100th Anniversary of Peking Express Hijacking

Join the Rhode Island Historical Society on Wednesday, July 12 at 5:30pm for its annual Goff Lecture featuring author James Zimmerman and his latest work The Peking Express: The Bandits Who Stole a Train, Stunned the West, and Broke the Republic of China.

Zimmerman will tell the story of the 1923 hijacking of the luxury Peking Express, whose hostages included Lucy Aldrich, former resident of the RIHS Aldrich House headquarters where the talk will be held.

In addition to the story of Aldrich, who chronicled her kidnapping for The Atlantic, Zimmerman will delve into the stories of the bandits responsible and the ripples the event had across the world, including a Hollywood blockbuster, toppling a Chinese president, and fueling the revolutionary ambitions of a young Communist named Mao Zedong.

Prior to the talk, guests will enjoy wine and light refreshments from Jayd Bun, offering authentic Chinese cuisine. The reception begins at 5:30pm, with the talk starting at 6pm.

Registration is limited. Event tickets are free and available at https://www.rihs.org/buy-tickets-2/

Zimmerman is a Beijing-based lawyer who has lived and worked in China for over 25 years. He is among China’s leading foreign lawyers and represents companies and individuals confronted with the political and legal complexities of doing business in Mainland China. He is the author of the China Law Deskbook, published by the American Bar Association, and is frequently featured as a political commentator on US-China relations in various print and broadcast media around the globe. He is the former four-term Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China. In addition to Beijing, he maintains a home in San Diego, California.