"Construction of China's Independent Knowledge System and Innovation in the Humanities" - The Sixth Shenzhen University Jao Tsung-I Culture Forum Successfully Held

On December 7, the sixth Jao Tsung-I Culture Forum "Construction of China's Independent Knowledge System and Innovation in the Humanities" was held at the Zijing Mountain Villa in Shenzhen. This event was co-hosted by Shenzhen University and the World Civilization Comparative Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and organized by the Jao Tsung-I Institute of Culture Studies of Shenzhen University. Over seventy experts, scholars, guests, and young teachers from various universities and research institutions in China and abroad, including the CASS, the National Cultural and Art Think Tank, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Sichuan University, Shenzhen University, Southern University of Science and Technology, Guangdong Open University, Shenzhen Academy of Social Sciences, University of Artois in France, and Fukuoka International University in Japan, participated in the seminar.

Wu Baoshui, the Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Shenzhen University, and Zhou Dan, Deputy Director of the Institute of Philosophy, CASS, respectively delivered welcome speeches on behalf of the co-hosts, Shenzhen University and the World Civilization Comparative Research Center. Wu Baoshui introduced that the Jao Tsung-I Culture Forum adheres to the tenets of inheritance and innovation, using a unique perspective and method that transcends cultures and disciplines to explore genuine issues. The forum aims to connect the past, present, and future and forge new paths for academic development. Zhou Dan pointed out that the Institute serves as a platform for cultural exchange between China and the West, contributing to the promotion of traditional Chinese culture. The theme of this seminar is well-defined, building upon the contributions of predecessors, and aiming to construct an independent knowledge system for China, with a focus on the new era and the essence of Chinese civilization. A representative from the Publicity Department of Shenzhen Municipal Committee also attended the seminar and emphasized that the establishment of the Institute reflects Shenzhen University’s long-term commitment to combining the basic principles of Marxism with the outstanding traditional culture of China, and promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of traditional Chinese culture. In recent years, the Institute has produced substantial theoretical results. It has been recognized as an important research base for humanities and social sciences in Guangdong Province, receiving the ‘Excellent’ rating in the evaluation of social science research bases in Guangdong, with the hope that experts will continue to produce research outcomes with theoretical depth, intellectual substance, and quality discourse at this seminar to provide strong intellectual support for accelerating the construction of a culturally strong nation.

The sixth Jao Tsung-I Culture Forum, themed "Construction of China's Independent Knowledge System and Innovation in the Humanities," focused on three topics: “The Logic, Methods, and Pathways of Constructing an Independent Knowledge System,” “Challenges and Innovations in the Humanities in the Age of AI,” and “Interdisciplinary Knowledge Collaboration: Philosophy, Literature, Art, and Science.”

In the first session of keynote speeches, Wang Jingsheng, recipient of the UNESCO Confucius Prize spoke on “New Productivity and New Forms of Human Civilization.” Ma Yinmao, Director of the World Civilization Comparative Research Center, CASS, presented “Constructing China’s Independent Knowledge System from a Global Perspective.” Senior Professor Ye Shuxian from Shanghai Jiao Tong University discussed “The Independent Knowledge System of Literary Anthropology and Interdisciplinary Experience.” Chen Hanxi, Second-Level Inspector of the Guangzhou Office of Chaozhou Municipal People’s Government, delivered a keynote titled “Jao Tsung-I’s Creative Contributions to the Chinese Knowledge System.” On behalf of Yiu Ching Fun Angeline, Founding Chair of the Jao Link, Chen Hanxi also read a letter of congratulation sent to the seminar by Yiu Ching Fun Angeline.

In the second session of keynote speeches, Professor Gao Quanxi, Chair Professor at Koguan School of Law of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, presented “Law and Literature – An Examination from the Perspective of Civilizational History of a Combined Discipline.” Tan Jia, a researcher at the Institute of Literature, CASS, spoke on “Seeking Chinese Identity: The Old Tradition and New Perspectives of Comparative Mythology.” Wu Yan, Director of the Research Center for Science and Human Imagination at Southern University of Science and Technology, discussed “The Importance, Feasibility, and Methodology of Independent Knowledge Construction in Chinese Science Fiction Studies.” Liu Hongyi, Director of the Institute and Senior Professor at Shenzhen University, delivered a keynote titled “Starting from Knowledge Foundations – A Logical Starting Point for Constructing an Independent Knowledge System.”

In the second session of keynote speeches, Professor Gao Quanxi, Chair Professor at Koguan School of Law of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, presented “Law and Literature – An Examination from the Perspective of Civilizational History of a Combined Discipline.” Tan Jia, a researcher at the Institute of Literature, CASS, spoke on “Seeking Chinese Identity: The Old Tradition and New Perspectives of Comparative Mythology.” Wu Yan, Director of the Research Center for Science and Human Imagination at Southern University of Science and Technology, discussed “The Importance, Feasibility, and Methodology of Independent Knowledge Construction in Chinese Science Fiction Studies.” Liu Hongyi, Director of the Institute and Senior Professor at Shenzhen University, delivered a keynote titled “Starting from Knowledge Foundations – A Logical Starting Point for Constructing an Independent Knowledge System.”

In the fourth session of keynote speeches, Wu Junzhong, the former director of the Institute of Urban Culture at Shenzhen University, presented “Reflections on Constructing China’s Independent Knowledge System.” Jiang Yuqin, Deputy Director of the Institute of Comparative Literature and Culture at Shenzhen University, discussed “Digital Humanities, Sci-fi Video Games, and the Construction of a New Knowledge System.” Professors Amamura Yuiji from Fukuoka International University and Amamura Kayi from Kurume University presented “The Theory of Constructing an Independent Knowledge System – Taking ‘Theory of Boundaries: Introduction’ by Shi’er as an Example.” Li Xiaohong, Associate Professor at the University of Artois in France, spoke on “The Inspiration from the Portraits of Aristotle and Da Vinci Hanging at the Entrance of the Musée Cernuschi.” Tian Qibo, Executive Director of the Institute, delivered a keynote titled “Identifying Concepts and Effects in China’s Autonomous Ecological Civilization Knowledge System.”

The conference discussions highlighted that constructing an independent knowledge system for China is of significant theoretical and practical importance in the new era. It aims to provide an independent and robust intellectual foundation and ideological support for the path of modernization with Chinese characteristics, addressing the broader strategy for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. This endeavor requires us to root our efforts in excellent traditional culture and consciously construct knowledge systems that express Chinese perspectives using unique foundational ideas and methodologies, achieving a transcendence of Western knowledge systems. Exploring the logic, methods, and pathways for constructing an independent knowledge system is critical for addressing the current challenges faced by the humanities, and it plays a functional role in innovation and academic development. 

Professor Liu Hongyi provided a brief summary of the seminar, identifying several key characteristics: First, the seminar’s theme was prominent, addressing significant era-defining issues with substantial theoretical value and practical significance. Second, the seminar was marked by strong innovation and exploratory spirit, with experts presenting novel viewpoints and solid arguments, providing genuine insights on specific issues rather than vague discussions. Third, the emphasis on interdisciplinary dialogue was aligned with the longstanding objective of the seminar, as different experts engaged from the perspectives of culture, philosophy, literature, classics, ethnology, mythology, biology, mathematics, and other fields, showcasing a distinct academic frontier and practical forward-thinking. Finally, through the interdisciplinary dialogues, the seminar deepened the understanding of constructing China's independent knowledge system while uncovering new issues worthy of further exploration.