The Chinese School of Classical Studies at Athens: Why, who, and how to establish it?

On the morning of November 7, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the first World Conference of Classics. During the opening ceremony, Gao Xiang, president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), announced the establishment of the Chinese School of Classical Studies at Athens (CSCSA). This prestigious academic institution, "based in Athens" and "dedicated to classical studies," quickly became a focal point of discussion among attending experts and scholars both domestically and internationally, as well as in media coverage.

The establishment of the CSCSA in Athens is a strategic move to implement President Xi Jinping's Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) and to fulfill the important consensus reached between the leaders of China and Greece. To gain a deeper understanding of the CSCSA and address key questions of public interest—such as "why it has been established, who is behind the establishment, and how to establish it?,"—CSST conducted interviews with several prominent figures from CASS: Yao Zhizhong, director of the Bureau of International Cooperation; Li Xinwei, the first president of the CSCSA; Liu Zuokui, director of the Institute of World History; Zhang Zhiqiang, director of the Institute of Philosophy; and He Fangying, head of the classics research office at the Institute of Foreign Literature.

The interviewees unanimously agreed that President Xi Jinping's congratulatory letter to the inaugural World Conference of Classics provides fundamental guidance for both the founding and ongoing development of the CSCSA. It serves as the cornerstone of the institution's establishment and the soul of its advancement. The academic community should seize this significant opportunity to build a Chinese school of classical studies under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, constructing an independent Chinese knowledge system, actively implementing the GCI, and contributing wisdom to exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.

CSST: In his congratulatory letter to the first World Conference of Classics, 

President Xi Jinping noted that "the conference, co-organized by China and Greece, along with the establishment of the Chinese School of Classical Studies at Athens, has created a new platform for civilizational exchange and mutual learning for China, Greece, and other nations in the world." How will the CSCSA play a unique and important role in further deepening classical studies, promoting the inheritance and development of civilizations, and advancing civilizational exchanges and mutual learning?

Liu Zuokui: President Xi Jinping's congratulatory letter to the first World Conference of Classics has provided the CSCSA with both important directions and a significant historical mission. The CSCSA is tasked with creating a new platform for civilizational exchanges and mutual learning among China, Greece, and other nations. It is committed to promoting the inheritance and development of civilizations, strengthening international people-to-people exchanges, facilitating dialogue among global civilizations, seeking wisdom and drawing nourishment from different civilizations, and actively implementing the GCI. It aims to collaborate on addressing the various challenges humanity faces and work together to advance the development and progress of human civilization.

The CSCSA is the first high-level, prestigious platform and institution for classical studies established by CASS overseas. It primarily adopts an interdisciplinary research approach, integrating classics, archaeology, history, philosophy, literature, linguistics, sociology, and other disciplines of social and natural sciences, while also employing emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and digital humanities. The goal is to enhance exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and other civilizations through original research as well as the establishment and analysis of independent concepts and discourse systems, thereby contributing to the enrichment and expansion of Chinese civilization.

The CSCSA's specific role is reflected in two main areas. First, as a research platform, it will focus on Chinese civilization and Chinese thoughts to reexamine world civilization, constructing an independent knowledge system for classical studies under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, particularly Xi Jinping Thought on Culture. This will provide a clearer and more distinctive academic framework for Chinese classics.

Second, the CSCSA aims to use academic methods to promote civilizational exchanges and mutual learning, not by simply aligning with Western traditions. It seeks to build a global research system for classics with a broader vision, more accurately reflecting the diverse truths of world civilizations. By adhering to the principle of making the past serve the present, and utilizing Western ideas to benefit China, the CSCSA will continue to draw wisdom from world classical civilizations through equal exchanges and mutual learning. This approach will help resolve conflicts between the ancient and the modern, as well as between China and the West. It will provide academic support for the creation of cultural achievements that merge the ancient and the modern, and facilitate the integration of Chinese and Western cultures. Moreover, it will promote the continued growth and refinement of Chinese civilization, contributing the wisdom of Chinese classical studies to the overall advancement of Chinese modernization, the development of a new model for human advancement, and the building of a human community with a shared future.

Zhang Zhiqiang: The primary objective of establishing the CSCSA in Greece, the heart of European civilization, is to effectively share stories of Chinese civilization and convey its values to the world. Simultaneously, the institution must engage in comparative research between Chinese, Greek, and European civilizations. With the goal of properly telling stories of Chinese civilization, the CSCSA will also focus on advancing exchanges and mutual learning between different civilizations. This is the core mission of the institution.

The CSCSA must not only disseminate the values of Chinese civilization but also serve as a platform for the exchange of research data and information. This will attract the attention of European and Western scholars of classics to the study of Chinese civilization, fostering exchanges and mutual learning in this field. Furthermore, Western scholars' research on Chinese civilization, along with joint efforts between Chinese and Western scholars, will encourage domestic scholars to deepen their understanding of Western civilization. This, in turn, will facilitate the inheritance and development of civilizations, help humanity address common challenges, and draw wisdom and strength from ancient civilizations.

We aim to build the CSCSA into a global hub for exchanges on classical studies. The key to achieving this is to embrace a comprehensive and inclusive concept of "broad classics," rather than limiting ourselves to the study of ancient Greece and Rome. This approach recognizes that all ancient civilizations have their own classical traditions, which are rooted in their unique historical and cultural contexts. Becoming an international academic exchange platform for classical studies is also a central function of the CSCSA. We should enrich the connotations of classical studies, imbuing it with new historical significance for the new era, and broaden its disciplinary scope, rather than restricting the research focus to ancient Greek and Roman civilizations alone.

He Fangying: The establishment of the CSCSA in Athens holds profound significance. It serves as both a window through which ancient Chinese civilization can present itself to the world and as a critical milestone in the progression of world civilization history. Based on the "two integrations" (integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realities and fine traditional culture), the renewed Chinese civilization will actively contribute to the construction of world civilization. It will promote exchanges and mutual learning with global historical significance between Chinese and Western civilizations, infusing the modern world with a classical spirit that merges Eastern and Western traditions. Through dialogue and mutual learning, this will create a new narrative for human civilization. I look forward to the future of the CSCSA as a platform for comprehensive dialogue and cooperation between domestic and international classicists. This will provide scholars of classical studies from various countries with the opportunity to engage in in-depth archaeological fieldwork in Greece, combining textual research with explorations of actual civilizational sites.

As a window to showcase Chinese civilization, the CSCSA, based in the heart of Western civilization, is dedicated to promoting mutual learning and dialogue between the two great ancient civilizations of China and Greece, allowing Eastern and Western cultures to shine together in Greece. This holds far-reaching significance. As the first Asian country to establish a physical research institution in Greece, the CSCSA must not only "go out" but also "bring in." It will not only present the core ideas and cultural achievements of Chinese civilization to the Greek people and the world but also integrate into the cultural and academic circles of Greece, presenting to the world an "academic China," a "civilized China," and an "inclusive China."

CSST: President Xi Jinping's congratulatory letter provides important guidance for carrying forward historical traditions and strengthening exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. How should we further deepen classical studies and international cultural exchanges, actively implement the GCI, and contribute insights to the advancement of human civilization?

Liu Zuokui: First, we should fully leverage the two new platforms—the World Conference of Classics and the CSCSA. This year's inaugural World Conference of Classics was a great success with wide-reaching impact. We look forward to even greater achievements from next year's conference, as it continues to expand the network for civilizational exchanges and mutual learning. It is essential to actively promote the high-quality development of the CSCSA, engage broadly in dialogue on classics, research collaboration, and personnel exchanges, and build a high-end overseas platform for Chinese classical studies. Through the World Conference of Classics and the CSCSA, we should effectively share Chinese stories, amplify Chinese voices, and particularly highlight fine traditional Chinese culture, promoting more balanced perceptions into China abroad and facilitating a comprehensive, in-depth, and accurate understanding of Chinese civilization by other civilizations.

Second, we should make effective use of various channels and platforms at different levels. By strengthening cooperation between Chinese and Greek academia, leveraging China's relationships with international organizations like UNESCO, and utilizing China's global networks with other national and regional organizations, we can actively incorporate civilizational dialogue, mutual learning, and exchanges into key global agendas. These topics should be promoted, disseminated, and researched to actively implement the GCI. This will ensure that Chinese perspectives on civilization play a key role in advancing world multi-polarization and democratization, and in addressing the challenges ahead of human development.

Third, we should use classical studies as a "small entry point" to tackle larger issues. Currently, classical studies are in decline in the Western world. To promote civilizational exchanges and mutual learning, China should not only enhance understanding of its own civilization but also deepen understanding of world civilizations, learning from both successes and failures. By proactively establishing platforms and constructing global-level research in classical studies, we can advance the mutual translation of classical works, foster academic dialogue, and enhance mutual understanding. For instance, both Chinese and Greek classical civilizations share values such as the pursuit of virtue, supreme good, loyalty to principles, harmony, and a sense of community—values that are critical in overcoming the challenges of modernity and reinforcing the foundation of pluralistic modernity. These commonalities should be explored further. By tracing the roots of classical civilizations and engaging in comparative studies, mutual understanding can be nurtured. This process will help us better understand ourselves, respect "others," and form a civilizational consensus. Academically, this will strengthen the interpretation and implementation of the GCI, thereby promoting the progress of human civilization.

CSST: Could you introduce the background and reasons for establishing the CSCSA? 

Yao Zhizhong: Athens, as the center of ancient Greek civilization, has had a profound influence on Western thought and is widely regarded as the birthplace of Western civilization and philosophy. The city's rich historical landmarks and archaeological resources offer invaluable materials for studying the intellectual and cultural heritage of ancient Greece. Prior to the establishment of the CSCSA, 19 countries—mostly developed Western nations—had already set up research institutes dedicated to classical studies in Athens. Among them, France took the lead in 1846 by founding the école Fran?aise d'Athènes.

As a major country, China, with its growing cultural soft power and other strengths, also chose to establish the CSCSA in Athens. This decision received strong backing from the leaders of both China and Greece, and was made possible through the active promotion of relevant departments.

The establishment of the CSCSA in Athens serves several key purposes. First, it is a step toward implementing the GCI, aiming to help the world better understand and appreciate the origins, development, and unique features of Chinese civilization. Second, it seeks to create a new platform for civilizational exchanges and mutual learning among China, Greece, and other countries, promoting the inheritance and development of civilizations, fostering global dialogue on civilization, and advancing the progress of human civilization. Third, it aims to construct a Chinese school of classical studies and build an independent Chinese knowledge system within this field.

CSST: Could you please introduce the process of establishing the CSCSA?

Yao Zhizhong: Establishing the CSCSA in Athens is a concrete move for implementing the important consensus between President Xi Jinping and Greek leaders, with CASS as its organizer. After serious consideration, the leading Party members' group at CASS proposed striving to officially announce the establishment of the CSCSA at the inaugural World Conference of Classics.

To ensure the successful and timely establishment of the CSCSA, the leading Party members' group at CASS put substantial effort into developing and deliberating on the construction plan and set up a leading group for the initiative, with CASS President Gao Xiang serving as the group leader, three other CASS leaders as deputies, and major leaders of 18 affiliated institutions as members. The leading group held two special meetings to make important arrangements for the construction work. Throughout the process, the leading Party members' group at CASS remained resolute and effective, pooling the strength of the entirety of CASS. CASS leaders also went to Athens to oversee the establishment efforts. During this time, we received strong support from the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, the Chinese Embassy in Greece, and the Ministry of Culture of Greece. When President Gao Xiang announced the official establishment of the CSCSA at the first World Conference of Classics, many expressed congratulations to us, recognizing the achievement as extraordinary. We deeply feel that the successful establishment of the CSCSA in such a short period of time is due to the high-level consensus between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Greek leaders, the confidence in China's status as a major power and its long history and culture, the extensive support from both Chinese and Greek authorities, the effective leadership of the leading Party members' group at CASS, and the close collaboration across all its affiliated institutions. Without these contributions, the accomplishment would not have been possible.

CSST: What are CASS's advantages in establishing the CSCSA in terms of academic resources?

Yao Zhizhong: Studies at the CSCSA should fuse the ancient and the modern, and connect China to the world, which demands a significant academic foundation. This is precisely where CASS excels. As China's leading think tank, CASS covers a wide range of disciplines and boasts considerable academic strength. Archaeological excavation and research is a key area of focus at the CSCSA, and the Institute of Archaeology at CASS has been equipped with a world-class research team. In addition, CASS's Institute of Philosophy and Institute of Ancient History have laid a solid foundation in researching Chinese civilization and fine traditional Chinese culture. The Institute of Foreign Literature is committed to researching Western classical civilizations, while the Institute of World History specializes in studies of major global civilizations. When officials of the Greek Ministry of Culture assessed CASS's qualifications for establishing the CSCSA, they were deeply impressed by the origins and development of Chinese civilization showcased by the Chinese Archaeological Museum under CASS and the extensive resources of the CASS library, speaking highly of the research capabilities of archaeologists and experts in ancient Greece and Rome studies. The wealth of disciplinary resources and CASS's academic accumulation provide a solid groundwork for the construction of the CSCSA.

CSST: Please talk about the partners and cooperative mechanism in Athens.

Yao Zhizhong: The Greek Ministry of Culture is the primary partner in Athens. Not only is it responsible for approving the establishment of the CSCSA, but it will also be a key partner in future collaborations. The CSCSA has the authority to conduct archaeological excavations in Greece, both independently and in partnership with other institutions, with communication and coordination required with the Greek Ministry of Culture.

Currently, the CSCSA has developed strong partnerships with the Academy of Athens and the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation (ALF). In 2019, under the witness of the Chinese and Greek heads of state, CASS signed a cooperation agreement with the ALF to jointly establish the CASS-ALF Centre for China Studies. Later, during President Gao Xiang's visit to Greece in September 2023, another cooperation agreement was signed with the Academy of Athens. Both the Academy of Athens and ALF have provided invaluable support for the establishment of the CSCSA.

Looking ahead, the CSCSA plans to expand its network by forming further partnerships with Greek universities. Both the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens have expressed interest in cooperating. Additionally, the CSCSA will engage in more exchanges with institutes of classical studies that19 other countries have established in Athens.

CSST: What is going on at the CSCSA now? What are its priorities for future work in Athens? What key research achievements are expected?

Li Xinwei: Currently, the CSCSA's library and website have been largely completed. We are preparing to launch classical studies from an international, multidisciplinary perspective, aiming to establish a new platform for global research, exchanges, and mutual learning on classical studies. For the first time, Chinese scholars will conduct archaeological excavations in one of the cradles of Western civilization, allowing us to gather firsthand data and promote original research on classical civilizations. At the same time, we have successfully established an academic exchange platform at the heart of Western classical civilization, where global scholars can hear more perspectives from Chinese civilization. The CSCSA is committed to organizing high-level research projects and academic activities to foster studies, exchanges, and mutual learning among classical civilizations worldwide.

In terms of public engagement, the CSCSA will host a series of academic lectures and offline events to raise awareness about classical civilization among both the academic community and the public. Additionally, we aim to build the archaeological library into a specialized resource that supports classical studies, publicizes the latest research, and promotes Chinese civilization, while providing valuable services on academic exchanges and access to resources for researchers in Greece and the local community. To better showcase our activities and research, the CSCSA plans to launch a journal grounded in the academic vision of mutual learning between Chinese and Greek civilizations, addressing cutting-edge topics and key issues in international classical studies. Looking ahead, the CSCSA will fully leverage its role as a bridge to promote mutual understanding and learning among civilizations, thereby contributing to the preservation and development of human civilization.

CSST: In order to construct a Chinese school of classical studies and build an independent Chinese knowledge system, what should the CSCSA and Chinese scholars of classical studies do, especially to achieve innovation and breakthroughs in theory and methodology? How can they better adhere to China's stances, make Chinese voices heard, and tell Chinese stories effectively through classical studies?

Liu Zuokui: First, we must maintain the correct academic orientation. It is essential to thoroughly study and deeply understand Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, using it as our fundamental guide. We must especially focus on implementing the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech at the seminar on cultural inheritance and development, as well as his congratulatory letter to the first World Conference of Classics. This will facilitate us to build an independent Chinese knowledge system in philosophy and social sciences, and establish a Chinese school of classical studies.

Second, we need to engage with both academic research and practical application. Classical studies should not be confined to textual interpretation alone, but should also examine the deeper logic of human spirit amid the interaction between thought and social practice. It is important to begin with real-world issues, conduct research on the front line, and secure original, firsthand data. Furthermore, theory and practice should be integrated, and multidisciplinary approaches should be used to innovate research methods, researching from perspectives that promote human civilization's development as well as civilizational exchanges and mutual learning.

Third, we must strengthen cultural confidence, actively challenge erroneous trends of thought, and keep up with the times. It is crucial to reject harmful viewpoints such as the hierarchy of civilizations, civilizational superiority, Western centrism, and the clash of civilizations. In addition, we should effectively tell Chinese stories, ensure Chinese voices are heard, interpret China's propositions, and highlight the significance of Chinese civilization from the height of the GCI and the vision of building a human community with a shared future.

Zhang Zhiqiang: The key to advancing classical studies is to implement the GCI proposed by President Xi Jinping, adhere to the spirit of his congratulatory letter to the first World Congress of Classics, and present Chinese civilization and culture to the world. When studying classical Western civilization, we should not simply align ourselves with the West or use it as a lens to interpret classical Chinese civilization. Instead, we should draw wisdom and inspiration from diverse civilizations, promoting the inheritance and development of all cultures and fostering exchanges and mutual learning among them.

Classics originally emerged as the study of ancient Greece and Rome, which we might call "classics in the narrow sense," or "minor classics." Now that the concept of "Chinese classics" has been introduced, the question arises: should Chinese classics be studied within the paradigm of "classics in the narrow sense," or does it have its own independent research methodology and objects? We firmly support the latter.

The concept of Chinese classics represents an expansion of the traditional paradigm. It begins with the inherent meanings within classical Chinese traditions and seeks to develop its own research methodology, thereby establishing its own distinct paradigm. Chinese classics are defined by a methodology rooted in China's classical characteristics, not by a universal method applied to all classical traditions. This approach is free from the self-projections of Oriental studies and stands independently, with its own classical and historical traditions. The concept of Chinese classics itself carries a core message: civilizations with classical traditions can and should create their own paradigms of classical studies. Civilizations with rich ancient texts can modernize their traditions in classical studies and foster their own unique classics. In this sense, classics is understood as "classics in the broad sense," or "broad classics."

The classics we advocate for should be based on a community of plural "classics-es," understood as "classics in the broad sense," and only within this community can exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations be conducted on equal terms and directed toward the future of human civilization.

He Fangying: Traditional Western departments of classics place great emphasis on the classics of ancient Greece and Rome, and their classical studies typically exclude Chinese classics. However, Chinese classical studies need not, and should not, refer to the Western approach in every aspect, nor should it follow the traditional Western research paradigm. Instead, it must be rooted in China's own classical traditions to redefine the meaning and scope of classics.

To establish a Chinese school of classical studies, the Chinese classics community must work to transcend the modern system of disciplinary classification and Western centrism. It should adopt a more comprehensive approach to the history of world civilizations, broadening the scope of classical studies beyond traditional Western focus on ancient Greece and Rome to encompass all human civilizations, including classical Chinese civilization. In particular, ancient civilizations that have produced profound ideas, fostered great minds, and developed enduring classics over human history must be considered. When studying and interpreting these classical civilizations, it is essential to incorporate comparative perspectives that address universal human concerns and maintain academic depth. The Chinese classics community should consciously and thoroughly understand the origins of civilization, critically reconsider the complex issues of both ancient and modern times, and of both China and the West, and reflect on the experiences and lessons of human civilization as a whole. The goal is to cultivate a civilizational theory centered on "harmony in diversity and shared prosperity" for the building of a human community with a shared future, and contribute Chinese insights and input to settling various disputes in the modern world.