Source: Collaborative Innovation Center for the Inheritance and Dissemination of Chinese Culture in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Regions 

Author: Ke Shuling, Zhou Shimin

Photographer: Chi Yuqun

Date: November 28, 2025

The launch ceremony for the Chaozhou Studies Compendium and the presentation of the second Chaozhou Studies Awards were held at Jinan University on November 25. The event centered on showcasing research achievements and facilitating academic exchange in the field of Chaozhou Studies, bringing together scholars and institutional representatives from both within China and abroad.

The event was jointly organized by Jinan University, the Guangdong Federation of Social Science Associations, and The Commercial Press, with the Chaozhou Culture Research Institute of Jinan University serving as the host. Attendees included over a hundred representatives from the organizing and supporting institutions, scholars in the field, chief editors of the various volumes of the compendium, and award recipients. The event received coverage from multiple media outlets.

The program featured opening addresses, the new book launch, the awards ceremony, and a forum led by renowned scholars.

During the launch, distinguished guests jointly unveiled the Chaozhou Studies Compendium. This ten-volume publication systematically compiles historical materials, literature, and academic research related to Chaozhou Studies. Representatives from several institutions, including the Guangdong Provincial Sun Yat-sen Library and the Shenzhen Library, were presented with copies of the new work.

(New Book Unveiling Ceremony)

The awards ceremony announced the winners of the second Chaozhou Studies Awards. Professors Wu Guoqin and Huang Ting were honored with the "Lifetime Achievement Award in Chaozhou Studies," and ten research projects received the "Outstanding Achievement Award in Chaozhou Studies," recognizing significant scholarly contributions to the field.

(Professor Wu Guoqin accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award in Chaozhou Studies)

Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Professor Wu Guoqin, known for his seminal research on the history of Chaozhou Opera, shared insights from his academic career during his acceptance speech.

(Professor Huang Ting accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award in Chaozhou Studies)

The other Lifetime Achievement Award honoree, Professor Huang Ting, author of key works such as The Origins of Chaoshan Culture, recently published the comprehensive regional study History of Chaoshan. He expressed his commitment to continuing his research in Chaozhou Studies.

(First Prize winners of the Outstanding Achievement Award in Chaozhou Studies)

Professor Chen Hongyu, representing the winners of the Outstanding Achievement Awards, shared reflections on his research experience.

The subsequent Chaozhou Culture Research Masters Forum formed the academic core of the event, featuring keynote speeches from several experts.

Professor Lin Lunlun detailed the compilation philosophy and value of the Chaozhou Studies Compendium. He stated the series aims to gather historical materials and pay tribute to foundational scholars, while also acknowledging challenges faced during the editing process, such as sourcing materials and selecting content.

Mr. Zheng Yong reflected on the publication journey, describing the compendium as a landmark in Chaozhou Studies scholarship. He noted the editorial team's goal of establishing a definitive academic benchmark.

Professor Huang Ting from Hanshan Normal University discussed the significance of the compendium's publication. Tracing the development of Chaozhou Studies, he highlighted that the series summarizes a century of research, provides a foundation for future scholarship, and serves as a reference for young scholars entering the field.

Professor Chen Hongyu from the Party School of the Guangdong Provincial Committee CPC focused on regional economic history, outlining key research directions for Chaoshan's economic history and emphasizing the need for deeper methodological and source analysis in future studies.

Professor Chen Xiaojin from Jinan University presented on "The Chaozhou Dialect of Minnan Chinese in Southeast Asia," analyzing its distribution and linguistic variations in the region. She noted phenomena like lexical borrowing and code-switching in overseas communities and called for the documentation of endangered dialect forms.

Professor Huang Jingzhong from Hanshan Normal University proposed expanding Chaozhou cultural research to include the contributions of modern Chaozhou intellectuals to broader cultural movements, citing examples from left-wing literary circles and academic research.

Professor Chen Chunsheng delivered a speech titled "Grounded in Tradition, Upholding Integrity and Fostering Innovation," exploring the academic significance and future development of Chaozhou Studies from a disciplinary perspective.

In his concluding remarks, Professor Cheng Guofu noted that the experts' presentations encompassed specialized research, case studies, and theoretical frameworks, reflecting the multidimensional nature of current Chaozhou Studies. He stated that the Chaozhou Culture Research Institute at Jinan University would continue to build research platforms, attract talent, and foster collaborative mechanisms to advance the field.

The Chaozhou Studies Compendium provides a comprehensive collection of research materials, while the awards aim to consolidate academic excellence. This event served as a significant platform for exchange within the Chaozhou Studies community.

Editor: Li Mei