Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, attends the second edition of the World Conference on China Studies and delivers a keynote speech in east China's Shanghai, Oct. 14, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
The second edition of the World Conference on China Studies got underway in east China's Shanghai on Tuesday with the theme "Historical and Contemporary China: A Global Perspective."
Approximately 500 renowned experts and scholars from around the world will engage in in-depth discussions on this theme. The conference features various forums, activities and an exhibition focused on urban civilization.
Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, attended the conference and delivered a keynote speech.
Chen Jining, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee, also attended the event.
Guests from home and abroad noted that despite various challenges, the world today is showing a stronger desire to understand and learn from China.
"We are witnessing the globalization of China studies and with it a progressive decentering of Western influence in the field," said British scholar Martin Jacques, adding that as the Global South interacts more deeply with China, it is forming its own views based on firsthand experience, knowledge and research, relying less and less on Western media.
The attendees stressed that Chinese studies must view Chinese civilization as an organically unified whole, examining the country's socio-economic-political landscape within a broader historical and cultural framework.
Today, as people around the world take a growing interest in reading ancient Chinese classics, they are acquiring values such as the pursuit of peace and a spirit of openness and courage to face the future, said Tiziana Lippiello, rector of Ca' Foscari University of Venice in Italy.
The participants emphasized the importance of elucidating the Chinese path to modernization to present the world a true, multidimensional and holistic narrative of China. They also pledged support for the Global Civilization Initiative, aiming to serve as envoys who bridge civilizations and drive greater mutual learning and exchange.
The exchange and mutual learning among civilizations are not only an essential part of globalization but also a driving force behind humanity's spiritual pursuit, said Konstantinos Polymeros, a professor of the University of Western Macedonia in Greece.
"China has a long history and an even brighter future. In this era, you simply can't miss coming to China," Polymeros added.
This photo taken on Oct. 14, 2025 shows a scene at the second edition of World Conference on China Studies in east China's Shanghai. [Photo/Xinhua]
The sub-forums will address topics such as Chinese modernization, China studies in the era of digital intelligence, and the role of youth in the future of China studies, among other subjects.
The conference, organized by the State Council Information Office and the Shanghai municipal government, with co-sponsorship from other government agencies and academic institutions, will also announce an initiative on the development of world China studies and present a recommended bibliography for research in this field.