An Introduction to Overseas Sinology Study

An Introduction to Overseas Sinology Study

An Introduction to Overseas Sinology Study held by the School of Foreign Studies (the SFS) of the University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), was delivered by Prof. Zhang Xiping from Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) on Tencent Meeting on the afternoon of June 2nd, 2020. Prof. Zhang Xiping serves as a director of the BFSU Academy of Comparative Civilization and Intercultural Communication, Dean Emeritus of International Chinese Culture Studies (National Research Center of Overseas Sinology) and editor-in-chief of International Sinology. His research covers wide fields including contemporary western culture, the history of cultural exchanges between the west and the east from A.D. 1500 to A.D. 1800, the history of western sinology study and history of Christian missions in China. He is currently studying the history of cultural exchanges between the west and the east, early western sinology study and overseas communication of Chinese culture. The lecture was hosted by Assoc. Prof. Wang Yan, with 300 students from USTB and other universities attended. Prof. Chen Hongwei addressed at the opening.

Overseas sinology is an emerging field and a new focus for foreign language major students. Therefore systematic research methodology is essential for conducting academic researches. Prof. Zhang started from reviewing Chinese culture in the perspective of the world and introduced the 3 stages of studying China and history of Chinese culture’s overseas communication, pointing out that we should study Chinese history in the context of world history.

Prof. Zhang thought that overseas sinology research is the track to trace back the overseas communication of Chinese culture. He elaborated the 3 stages of the western sinology study—the significance of Chinese culture going to the world, overseas communication of Chinese culture, and contemporary academic development in China. Prof. Zhang stressed that cultural consciousness is the premise of conducting overseas sinology study and we should carry forward the spirit of traditional Chinese culture. In terms of China’s development, overseas sinology study is vital for reshaping China’s image.

Prof. Zhang suggested the scholars to start their researches from the catalogue and apply cultural comparison to cross-culture study, which is not only essential to the study of the development of western sinology and academic inheritance but also to China’s academic development and cultural exchanges. Finally, in the Q&A session, he answered relevant questions raised by teachers and students, and offered detailed suggestions to the researchesincluding the research methodology,the systematic research process and the research design of overseas sinology study.