The World Center for Innovation in Sinological Discourse was established in June 2024 as an academic platform approved and supported by the Beijing Municipal Education Commission. The center is dedicated to long-term efforts in disciplinary development, talent cultivation, database construction, and think tank initiatives.
The center aims to serve national development strategies, promote the capacity building of China’s international communication, participate in the construction of China’s discourse and narrative systems, and contribute to the establishment of a new model of international communication that serves both China and the rest of the world. With Sinology as the research basis and Sinologists as the source of ideas, the center is a practical move to build a world innovation center for Sinological discourse system that integrates multi-disciplines, cross-fields and the development of industry, education and research. It is also a response to the call of the central government and the expectations of the times, an effort to enhance the soft power and overseas influence of Chinese culture, and a contribution to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
The Innovation Center is guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It is grounded in Chinese scholarship, knowledge, thought, and wisdom, and aims to build an international exchange discourse system that facilitates mutual understanding between Chinese and foreign civilizations. In areas such as content development for international communication, database resource development, channel development, platform development, think tank development, the creation of a matrix of academic journals on overseas Sinology and China studies, the advancement of Sinology and China studies as academic disciplines, and the cultivation of international talent in Sinology, the Innovation Center guides the development direction of relevant domestic and international disciplines and fields. It plays an exemplary leading role in building a discourse system for the international dissemination of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics.
The Innovation Center plans to achieve the following goals within 5 to 10 years: establish a Sinology and China studies research center with international influence and academic leadership; build a key base for the production, evaluation, innovation, and dissemination of discourse in China’s external discourse system; create a national first-level discipline for Sinology and China studies; cultivate 5,000 Sinologists and China studies experts worldwide who are knowledgeable about and friendly toward China; form a network of country branches of the World Sinologists Council covering five continents and 140 countries; develop the "Four Repositories and One Platform" knowledge matrix for Sinology and China studies; establish a matrix of no fewer than 50 overseas localized Sinology and China studies research centers; create a matrix of 50 overseas localized academic journals on Sinology; and, with Sinologists as the main force, build an overseas dissemination and reception matrix covering 140 countries and 80 languages, with single pieces of information effectively reaching 10 million people. This will form a timely and efficient think tank service system for the international dissemination of Sinology and China studies.
