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)