​WACS president Xie Fuzhan visits Sichuan University and Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences

Xie Fuzhan, president of the World Association for China Studies (WACS) visits Sichuan University on June 15, 2023.

From June 15-16, 2023, Xie Fuzhan, president of the World Association for China Studies (WACS), visited Sichuan University and the Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences. The purpose of the visit was to explore research on and teaching of China Studies, including the exchanges with overseas organizations, views and advice on developing China Studies in the new era, cooperation with relevant social organizations, and unique experience on the local level and so forth.

On June 15, Xie Fuzhan visited Sichuan University and had a symposium with scholars from the university.

Gan Lin, Party secretary of Sichuan University, attended the symposium and delivered a speech. Yao Leye, vice president of Sichuan University, presided over the symposium. Representatives from the university presented their work regarding China Studies. The symposium was held at the Chinese Culture Research Institute of Sichuan University. Experts and scholars from relevant departments of Sichuan University, including Li Yi, Xia Zhiqiang, Zhang Hongsong, Du Chunlei, as well as representatives from relevant departments of the university also attended the event.

On June 16, Xie visited Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences (SASS). After visiting the exhibition hall of SASS and reviewing an exhibition of scientific research achievements and book collections in the library, Xie met with SASS scholars. Yang Ying, president of SASS, attended the meeting and introduced SASS and its major research activities. SASS scholars, including Xie Taofang, Duan Yu, Li Yuanguo, and Yang Xiannong, made presentations on relevant research topics.

Xie Fuzhan highlighted WACS as a non-profit, non-governmental international organization, uniting global institutions, scholars, and experts in China Studies. Its mission is to foster collaboration, facilitate exchanges, and promote mutual learning among civilizations. WACS strives to contribute to the shared development and prosperity of both China and the world while actively supporting the global advancement of China Studies. The organization provides a platform for institutions and scholars in China Studies to enhance exchanges and mutual learning among diverse civilizations.

Scholars and representatives from Sichuan University and the Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences expressed that the establishment of WACS is timely and crucial, and provides an important platform for exchanges and cooperation between China Studies institutions and scholars around the world. Sichuan has its own unique feature in China Studies. On the one hand, Sichuan was the starting point of the Southern Silk Road, which connects southern China to the outside world and has been an important hub of China's foreign exchanges since ancient times. On the other hand, China Studies in Sichuan have distinct local characteristics. The Jinsha Civilization of Sanxingdui, the Sichuan Shu-Studies, the Bashu Culture, the Silk Road Culture and the Long March Civilization are treasures of Chinese civilization and the hallmark of Sichuan's China Studies. 

Representatives of the two institutions looked forward to cooperating with WACS and leveraging local advantages in constructing China Studies.