Author: Wu Chunyan

Publisher: Guangming Daily 

Date: November 11, 2024

From November 8 to 10, 2024, Jinan University hosted the International Academic Seminar on Foreign Literature and Cultural Exchange between the East and West during the Yuan Dynasty, alongside the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Chinese Yuan History Research Association. The event was organized by several institutions, including the Chinese Yuan History Research Association and the Institute of Chinese Cultural History at Jinan University, and drew participation from over 50 esteemed universities and research institutions, as well as nearly 150 faculty and students from Jinan University's School of Arts.

The Yuan Dynasty is recognized as a crucial period in the formation of a unified multi-ethnic China and has significantly influenced the historical development of the Chinese national community. Recent advancements in Yuan history research have highlighted the importance of foreign literature as a valuable resource, emphasizing the need for further exploration in this area.

The seminar addressed various topics such as Sino-foreign exchanges during the Yuan Dynasty, the relationship between the Yuan Dynasty and East Asian regimes, extraterritorial literature, and the societal structure of the Yuan Dynasty. It aimed to integrate local and foreign literature, traditional and newly discovered texts, and Chinese literature with national languages, employing interdisciplinary methods and empirical research. This approach not only enriched the historical data available for Yuan history research but also aligned with contemporary research interests, including governance, ethnic identity, and the implications of initiatives like the Belt and Road.

Professor Xia Quan, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee at Jinan University, highlighted the Yuan Dynasty's role in cultural exchanges between the East and West, noting how the prosperity of Chinese civilization influenced global history through the Silk Road.

Professor Liu Xiao, President of the Chinese Yuan History Research Association, remarked on the evolution of modern Yuan history research, which has built upon historical foundations while incorporating global humanities methodologies. He expressed optimism that the conference would inspire young scholars to continue the rich traditions of Yuan history research and foster collaboration among research entities.

The seminar's theme centered on Eastern and Western cultural exchanges in the Yuan Dynasty, utilizing foreign and multilingual literature to explore Yuan history within the broader context of East Asian and world history. Scholars presented papers on diverse subjects, including the political and legal systems of the Yuan Dynasty, ethnic relations, and cultural ideologies. The conference featured five sub-forums structured around presentations and discussions, facilitating valuable interactions between domestic researchers and scholars from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and beyond. This platform aimed to support young and mid-career scholars engaged in Yuan history and the global dissemination of Chinese culture.