China studies gain international traction

Global China studies are undergoing a shift toward genuine and equal civilizational dialogue, a Chinese scholar said as the World Dialogue on China Studies convened its Arab States special session in Cairo on Monday.

Shen Guilong, president of the Shanghai Association for China Studies and director of the Institute of China Studies at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, told China Daily that the Cairo session marks a transition in how the developing world engages with China's development.

"2026 marks a historic milestone as we commemorate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Arab countries," Shen said. "Egypt's role as host reflects its unique stature: simultaneously an Arab powerhouse, an African leader and a pivotal voice in the Global South."

Home of the Arab League headquarters and a vital hub along the Belt and Road Initiative, Egypt offers an ideal platform for deepening intellectual ties between China and Arab countries and advancing practical cooperation, Shen said.

The gathering follows the inaugural World Dialogue on China Studies, held in Belgium in 2024, which focused on China-Europe perspectives. Moving the forum to Egypt fulfills a commitment made at the first China-Arab States Summit to advance joint action on civilizational dialogue.

According to Shen, the geographic shift reflects a deeper evolution in the field of China studies. While traditional European Sinology focused primarily on classical texts and post-World War II US research examined contemporary China through social science frameworks, a third wave — global China studies — is now taking shape.

"Much Western scholarship has long adopted a top-down posture, treating China's rise as a test case for Western theories," Shen said. "That mindset can carry an inherent bias — once patronizing, and now increasingly apprehensive as China's national strength grows."

Much Arab scholarship, however, approaches China through more equal footing and engagement, Shen said. "Arab nations seek to see their own aspirations reflected in China's journey and to understand the world through their own civilizational lens," he said. "This enables active, equal exchange where both sides can provide useful reference points for each other."

For Arab countries navigating their own development challenges, China's experience offers relevant lessons. Both have ancient cultural roots and face similar questions about balancing tradition with rapid modernization.

"China has achieved modernization not by discarding its cultural heritage, but by integrating it into Chinese modernization," Shen said. "Equally important is China's ability to maintain long-term social stability while steadily elevating public living standards. We prioritize substantive governance outcomes that benefit our people."

China studies are not a discipline for observing China from afar, Shen emphasized. "They are a mirror through which to understand China, discover oneself and gain insight into the world," he said. "They are closely connected to every Arab scholar and citizen who hopes to break free from dependency and independently explore their path to modernization."

Looking ahead, Shen identified three key trends: the globalization of scholarship, greater application of research to policymaking and the rising voice of the Global South.

"While Western academia remains influential, it no longer holds a monopoly on China studies," he said. "Research originating from Africa, Latin America and the Arab world is expanding rapidly."

This geographic diversification is accompanied by a shift in focus from historical to contemporary China.

"More countries are paying attention to contemporary China's development," Shen said. "Think tank research is correspondingly increasing, focusing on practical policies and long-term governance approaches."

China and Arab nations share a history free of colonial baggage, establishing a foundation for mutual respect, Shen said. "My message to young Arab scholars is simple: walk on Chinese soil, use your own eyes and document an authentic, multidimensional contemporary China," he said.

zhengzheng@chinadaily.com.cn