Introduction - This article is written on the occasion of the 9th World Forum on China studies held in Shanghai between 18-19 November. This forum is a biennial event started in 2004 to provide a platform for China scholars across the world to discuss various aspects of China and its civilization. On this background, this article takes a bird's eye view of the overall condition of China studies around the world and how it benefits in promoting the China model.
Under rapidly changing situation, significance of 'China studies' is more prominent
Source: Jiefang Daily ~ Author: Hu Fengbin ~ Date: October 20, 2021
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Chinese communist party, wherein we have started a new journey towards comprehensive building of a modernized socialist country. Moreover, global spread of Covid-19 pandemic has caused huge unprecedented changes resulting in many new characteristics which haven't been observed in 100 years. New struggles, new changes, new challenges, new situations, new developments, new ideas, new phases.... Even the word 'New' has become one of the most frequently appeared words at the current World Forum on China Studies.
'Acknowledge the cleverness of others, but know that you are truly wise', this statement from Laozi's Daodejing fittingly describes the present condition of China studies research. The current world is more attentive towards China than ever before, and China is also more concerned about the contemporary world. If we consider that "overseas China research collection" started in 1980s is used to "come out of one's cultural sphere and engage in intense contradictions and introspection", then China's current relations with the world will enter from "introspection" to a new phase of communication and connections, thus demonstrating new postures and ideas in China studies research.
Larger scope is one of the new trends in China studies research. This scope has two different directions: First is the geographical scope of research scholars. Precisely as some scholars emphasize upon "exploring the global nature of China studies research in an exponential manner". Earlier, scholars engaged in China studies research were mainly concentrated in East Asian countries like Japan, South Korea or western countries represented by Europe and the United States. Presently, with the entry of scholars from African, Latin American along with South Asian countries, especially from those countries related with the 'One Belt One Road' , it has expanded the cross-national domain of China studies research; Second is the scope of research content. The participation of scholars from various countries created a multidimensional understanding of China, and enriched the layers of China-related research. By the end of 2019, experts and scholars from more than 90 countries and regions around the world have participated in the World Forum on China studies. From one aspect, this proves that the "friends circle" of China studies is expanding, and it is helping China to get recognition for its path and ideas from more countries.
Youthfulness is another new aspect of China studies research. A community of young scholars in China studies research is currently in the developing stage. Compared to the older generation, this community not only possesses more diversified experience of studying abroad and exposure to visiting scholars, but also the internationalization of social media has further widened their ways and means of understanding China. In this year's forum, a panel on 'shared future and youth contribution' was specially set up, which conveyed the connotation of transferring knowledge from one generation to another and pinning hopes on the young generation.
Apart from China studies itself, 'new' is also manifested in the form of conferences. The Covid pandemic has changed the form of conducting academic conferences all over the world. For the first time, the forums have adopted a combination of online and offline patterns. In terms of attendance, online visitors are slightly more than offline visitors. Although the importance of face to face communication, body language and social interaction cannot be substituted, online meetings have surmounted some limitations of traditional meetings, free and independent ways have subtracted unnecessary elements. No matter where they are, the development of internet technology has enabled scholars to comprehend the field they wish for, thereby further reducing the gap between mutual understanding and communication.
The new and the old as well as the near and the far are relative terms, the crux lies in the exchange and mutual learning of cultures and civilizations. The winner of the 6th World China studies contribution award, Ye Jiaying recalls a couplet she had read, it says 'old and new civilization can benefit each other, because psychological things remain the same.' She explains that the amalgamation of different civilizations, different cultures and even new and old cultures result in even more rich function and connotations. Therefore, the old and new civilizations can benefit each other. 'Psychological things remain the same' emphasizes that no matter whether they are Westerners or Easterners, both have the similar mentality. Basically 'same place' is nothing but common emotions and values.
Every social change is followed by the ideological and theoretical ups and downs, which can also stimulate the transformation of academic concepts. This is inseparable from knowledge transformation and ideological guidance of Philosophy and social sciences. The era of social transformation is also an era of the development of Philosophy and social sciences.Amidst the 'once-in-a-century' situation, how to make the world better understand China? How to make China better understand the world? How to improve mutual communication? These are the core issues of China studies, which further magnifies its importance.
The world forum on China studies, this 'academic round table' along the Huangpu riverbank, will provide an excellent place for China and the world to look at each other more truly and comprehensively.
(Author division - Institute of China Studies, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences)
Translators' views - China studies is emerging as a vibrant field of study across the world. With China's rising significance in global affairs, curiosity among scholars and social scientists to know more about China, is also on the rise. The forum works with institutions and academic networks with the goal of becoming a sustainable and internationally influential platform for exchanges regarding Chinese studies.In this year's edition of the forum, over 200 scholars from around 40 countries participated and discussed topics varying from China's development trajectory to its reforms. One of the outcomes of this forum is the recognition awarded to China'S MODERNIZATION concept which is different from the Western connotation and includes current challenges.
(The translation reflects the translators' personal opinion and not a general opinion)
New Words -
1. 变局 - biànjú - Changing situation
2. 成立 - chénglì - To set up
3. 周年 - zhōunián - Anniversary
4. 征程 - zhēngchéng - Journey
5. 未有 - wèiyǒu - Unprecedented
6. 呈现 - chéngxiàn - To appear, to demonstrate
7. 本届 - běnjiè - This year's, current
8. 知人者智，自知者明 - zhīrénzhězhì zìzhīzhěmíng - Those who know others are clever, but those who know themselves are truly wise
9. 道德经 - Dàodéjīng - Book of Laozi (sacred book of Daoism)
10. 恰当 - qiàdàng - Appropriate, suitable
11. 倘若 - tǎngruò - If, provided that
12. 丛书 - cóngshū - Collection of books
13. 跳出 - tiàochū - To appear suddenly
14. 圈子 - quānzi - Circle
15. 透过 - tòuguò - To penetrate
16. 反差 - fǎnchā - Contrast
17. 反观 - fǎnguān - Introspection, view from another angle
18. 当下 - dāngxià - Immediately
19. 沟通 - gōutōng - To join, to connect
20. 正如 - zhèngrú - Precisely
21. 非洲 - fēizhōu - Africa
22. 拉美 - Lāměi - Latin America
23. 相关 - xiāngguān - Related
24. 扩展 - kuòzhǎn - To spread, to expand
25. 版图 - bǎntú - Domain, territory
26. 多元 - duōyuán - Diverse, multidimensional
27. 层次 - céngcì - Layer, gradation
28. 截至 - jiézhì - Up to
29. 侧面 - cèmiàn - Aspect, side
30. 认同 - rèntóng - Recognition, acknowledgement
31. 群体 - qúntǐ - Community
32. 前辈 - qiánbèi - Precursor
33. 访学 - fǎngxué - Visiting scholar
34. 社交媒体 - shèjiāo méitǐ - Social media
35. 拓宽 - tuòkuān - Widen
36. 渠道 - qúdào - Means, channel
37. 传递 - chuándì - To transmit, to deliver
38. 薪火相传 - xīn huǒ xiāng chuán - Transfer knowledge and skill from one generation to another
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