Sinology center creates bridges to new horizons

On Aug 8, the opening ceremony of the Qingdao World Sinology Center of Beijing Language and Culture University was held in Qingdao. It was jointly established by Beijing Language and Culture University and the Qingdao municipal government. The center aims to combine the advantages from both sides to carry out in-depth cooperation and enhance the educational experience, so as to promote mutual learning between civilizations.

Liu Limin, president of the China Education Association for International Exchange, said in a congratulatory letter to the launch of the World Sinology Center that Qingdao mirrors China's opening-up policy and has a unique position in terms of cultural exchanges. With more than 200,000 alumni working or studying around the world, Beijing Language and Culture University has important advantages in global Chinese education and the promotion of positive exchanges between Chinese and foreign cultures.

Wang Qingyuan,  governor of Qingdao West Coast New Area, pointed out in his speech that Qingdao World Sinology Center will be committed to contributing wisdom to help build a shared future for mankind, promote cultural exchanges and mutual learning. The center will also be committed to providing lasting power and stability for academic cooperation between scholars from both countries.

The opening of the Qingdao World Sinology Center has received warm responses from sinologists from many countries.

Hussein Ibrahim Morsy, an Egyptian sinologist, former cultural counselor of the Egyptian embassy in China, and professor of Ain Shams University, emphasized in his speech that the cultural exchanges between China and Egypt have a long history. "This year marks the 66th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt, the civilization dialogue between China and Egypt has achieved fruitful results. The establishment of the World Sinology Center will build a solid bridge of friendly exchanges between China and Egypt, and constantly expand the channels for cultural interaction between China and foreign countries.

Guy Alitto, an American sinologist and professor at the University of Chicago, said in a video speech that a major dilemma facing the development of sinology is the lack of motivation for sinology research in remote countries, but the establishment of the World Sinology Center can give impetus to open up a new horizon of sinology research and bring traditional Chinese culture to the world.