（Correspondent：Liu Yuanzhu, Song Ge）On April 12, 2025, the High-Level Forum on Area Studies was grandly held at Yifu Building of the School of Foreign Languages, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST). Scholars and experts from universities across the country gathered to engage in in-depth discussions on disciplinary development, international cooperation, and the strategic significance of area studies, jointly advancing the growth of HUST’s Center for Country and Regional Studies.
The opening ceremony was presided over by Xu Mingwu, Dean of the School of Foreign Languages, who extended a warm welcome and gratitude to all participants. In his opening remarks, Zhang Mingxin, Director of the Office of Humanities and Social Sciences at HUST, reviewed the historical development and current landscape of the university’s humanities and social sciences disciplines. He emphasized the strategic importance of the Center for Country and Regional Studies, proposing that it should "anchor in Hubei while radiating nationwide"—deepening international relations research to support regional economic development and foster academic exchanges and collaboration in global area studies.
The keynote session was chaired by Professor Guan Peifeng from Wuhan University and Professor Zhao Ningning from Central China Normal University, featuring insightful presentations by four distinguished scholars:
Professor Yang Jiemian from the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies elaborated on the development of area studies, emphasizing the significance of Global South development, interdisciplinary integration, and cross-boundary collaboration for the field.
Professor Liu Hongwu, Dean of the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University, delivered a speech titled "Promoting Global South Cooperation in Science, Education, and Industry: Theoretical and Practical Explorations in African Studies at ZJNU." He called for building an academic system that "understands the world from China's perspective," outlined strategic directions and research approaches for area studies, and advocated for regional solidarity to advance the modernization of the Global South.
Professor Wu Hongying, Director of the Institute of Area Studies at Hubei University, systematically analyzed the disciplinary characteristics of area studies. She stressed the need for Chinese scholars and institutions in the new era to develop a theoretical framework with Chinese characteristics, transforming the discipline into a "strong-nation scholarship" that serves national strategies.
Professor Wang Zhan, Executive Dean of the Global South Research Institute at Tianjin University, discussed the timeliness and innovation of area studies. He highlighted the importance of academic writing and overseas fieldwork, encouraging stronger collaborative networks within the Global South.
The session was chaired by Zhang Mingxin, Director of the Office of Humanities and Social Sciences. Wang Jingchao, Director of the Center for Country and Regional Studies at the School of Foreign Languages, provided a detailed report on the center’s establishment background, positioning, and development plan. The center is committed to building an interdisciplinary research platform, focusing on three core functions: talent cultivation, academic support, and local engagement. He systematically introduced the research directions, team composition, management framework, strengths, weaknesses, and future goals. Subsequently, Professors Yang Jiemian, Liu Hongwu, and Wu Hongying offered valuable suggestions on strategic positioning, disciplinary and funding support, top-level design, and talent development.
The expert deliberation segment, moderated by Tan Yuan, Associate Dean of the School of Foreign Languages, featured insights from scholars including:
Professor Wang E’na (East China Normal University)
Professor Xiao Yang (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)
Professor Guan Peifeng (Wuhan University)
Professor Zhao Ningning (Central China Normal University)
Associate Professor Xiong Xing (Hubei University)
Associate Professor Tian Jing (Huazhong Agricultural University)
They shared recommendations on interdisciplinary collaboration, disciplinary growth, funding mechanisms, and faculty workload balance.
The final review session, chaired by Chen Xinli, Associate Dean of the School of Foreign Languages, featured overarching commentaries by two distinguished scholars:
Professor Wang Kefei (Beijing Foreign Studies University) emphasized advancing foreign language disciplines through interdisciplinary integration, refining research focus, and strengthening talent cultivation to sustain academic endeavors.
Professor Xu Jun (Zhejiang University) provided feasibility-oriented advice, urging alignment with national development strategies to guide the center’s future trajectory.
The forum concluded with a vote of thanks and summary by Wang Xiaoyue, Party Secretary of the School of Foreign Languages, HUST.
The High-Level Forum on Area Studies marks a significant step forward for Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) in the field of regional and country studies. Through multi-level and multi-dimensional academic dialogues, the forum has generated numerous valuable suggestions for the future development of the School of Foreign Languages' Center for Country and Regional Studies. This initiative will contribute academic strength to HUST's advancement in area studies and bolster the university's scientific research development.
