The Center for Israel Studies (CIS), established in 2017, is a country and area studies center registered with the Ministry of Education. Serving the national cultural strategy and the enhancement of international communication capabilities, the center leverages the multilingual strengths of Beijing Language and Culture University and the research capacities of the Academy of Country and Area Studies. It focuses on areas such as Israeli and Middle Eastern language and culture studies, international exchanges and cultural communication, as well as public opinion monitoring.
The center currently has over 30 researchers, including 16 full-time researchers (8 professors, 4 associate professors, and 4 lecturers, all holding doctoral degrees) and 14 part-time researchers (10 foreign experts and 4 renowned domestic scholars, all holding doctoral degrees). The team covers fields such as political science, journalism and communication, Hebrew and Arabic, and possesses interdisciplinary research capabilities.
The center's research areas are extensive, with a primary focus on the politics, economy, culture, and history of Israel and the Middle East, the Jewish factor in Sino-U.S. relations, and big data analysis of public opinion. Leveraging platforms such as the "China Discourse and Soft Power Laboratory" and the "Public Opinion Monitoring Laboratory," it employs AI technology to track hot topics and shifts in public sentiment related to China and Israel. The center has produced a wealth of outcomes, undertaking national-level theoretical and applied research projects, publishing high-level academic papers, and providing policy advisory reports.
The center cultivates versatile international communication talents proficient in Hebrew/Arabic, enhancing students' practical skills through thematic seminars, current political analysis, and cross-cultural simulation exercises. The center hosts a variety of academic exchange activities and has established a network with 386 institutions across 75 countries, promoting the sharing of academic resources.
The center actively engages in social services, providing the nation with think tank support and policy recommendations related to Israel and the Middle East region. It has established a public opinion early warning system to serve government decision-making and promotes the global outreach of Chinese culture. The center has developed a multilingual resource-sharing platform and academic journals, integrating cutting-edge research achievements from China and Israel. It has also formed a distinctive research focus on the "Jewish Factor and International Relations." By formulating medium- and long-term plans centered on "China-U.S.-Israel" strategic studies, the center contributes to enhancing the country's capacity for international communication.
