Sinologists are a special group of people: they study China
outside China, cherish Chinese tradition more than many
contemporary Chinese do, and some even act in the manner of ancient
Chinese literati.
These people are having their biggest ever gathering in Beijing.
More than 220 Sinologists from around the globe arrived to attend
the three-day World Sinology Convention, which started
yesterday.
The convention, which is the first one of its kind held on the
Chinese mainland, is hosted by the Chinese Language Council under
the Ministry of Education and the Renmin University in Beijing.
Sinologists attending the convention investigate how studies of
Chinese culture can contribute to an effective communication
between civilizations and to a harmonious world.
Achievements in Sinology research will aid Chinese language
learning and teaching globally, State Councillor Chen Zhili said at
the opening ceremony of the convention yesterday. China has had 140
Confucius Institutes built in 52 countries and regions to promote
Chinese language and culture.
The world's Sinologists are interested in whether China is going
to retain its tradition, and whether the Chinese traditional way of
thinking will help soothe the clash of civilizations, Helwig
Schmidt-Glintzer, a professor at the Munich University in Germany
said at yesterday's session.
Sinology in the West dated as far back as Marco Polo in the 13th
Century, but the systematic study of China began in the 16th
Century when missionaries, notably Matteo Ricci, introduced
Christianity to China. Early sinological research often
concentrated on the compatibility of Christianity with Chinese
culture.
In 1814, a chair of Chinese and Manchu was founded at Collge de
France. Jean-Pierre Abel-Rmusat, who taught himself Chinese, filled
the position, becoming the first Chinese professor in Europe.
(China Daily March 27, 2007)