On December 9, 2024, an internationally renowned sinologist, Prof. Iwo Amelung from Goethe University, visited UIC and gave a lecture in the afternoon, entitled “German Sinology: The Origins, Historical Evolution, and Current Status”. The event was moderated by Prof. Tze-Ki Hon and Dr. Jianing Chen, and attended by Prof. Shawn Wang, Dr. Xiaolong Diao, Dr. Yegor Grebnev, Dr. Kar Bo Wong, Prof. David Bartosch and Dr. Bei Peng from Beijing Normal University, and others.

        The lecture explored the tortuous development of German Sinology throughout history, whose trajectory has been shaped by international patterns and academic trends, as well as local political and social changes, and which is currently mired in the quagmire of identity. Prof. Amelung began his lecture by introducing the history of the discipline of German Sinology, including its origins, establishment, and development, which is a hot topic in Western intellectual history. Looking back at the historical source, Marco Polo initially opened the door of cultural exchange between China and Europe in the 13th century. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the introduction of Chinese classics by the Jesuit missionaries triggered the Sinomania in Europe, by which Leibniz and other scholars were deeply influenced, thus gradually sprouting the early Western Sinology. At the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, professorships and academic institutions were established, and sinology was defined as a discipline and no longer circulated only among amateur scholars. The cultivation of scholars such as Otto Franke gradually matured the discipline, and their results were remarkable. During the Nazi regime, with the gloom and doom, a large number of academic elites were exiled to Britain and the United States, and the academic heritage was almost broken. The mediocre scholars in Germany rose to high positions by virtue of their political skills, and the academic quality plummeted, making the development of Sinology difficult. After the Second World War, Erich Haenisch, Wolfgang Franke and other scholars saved the day by resurrecting Sinology, and universities and departments were rebuilt or established. The scope of research continued to expand, and the teaching model was innovated in response to the changes of the times, focusing on modern Chinese language pedagogy and contemporary issues. During the period of division between East and West Germany, the academic paths were different. East Germany inherited the tradition of language study, specializing in classical Chinese and Turpan texts, compiling dictionaries, and translating literature, while West Germany developed in a diversified manner, encompassing political, social, and economic studies, and frequently interacted with Taiwan due to diplomatic restrictions with the PRC.

        The development of Sinology in Germany has undergone several changes. Prof. Amelung particularly emphasized the conceptual definition of Sinology. From the beginning of its philological tradition, i.e. the study of texts, to the later synthesis of several fields, German scholars hold a vague and changing concept of Sinology, which is not in line with China's "national studies" guoxue. The development of Sinology is controversial. Nowadays, German Sinology is still in a deep dilemma. The scope of "Sinology" research is uncertain, the theoretical framework is inadequate, and there is a shortage of professors who can deal with a wide range of topics. The professional societies are weak, the research areas are being encroached upon by other disciplines, and the discipline is losing its identity due to political interference, especially when it comes to sensitive issues related to China. Therefore, how to turn the situation around, continue the development of Sinology and carry it forward has become an urgent issue for scholars in the new era.

        After the lecture, Prof. Amelung had a lively Q&A session with the audience and introduced the graduate programs in Sinology at German universities. On behalf of UIC, Dr. Jianing Chen thanked the speaker and presented him with souvenirs, and a group photo was taken with the audience.

Reporter: Jingtian YE

Photographer: Innes ZHU

Translated and edited by Dr. Jianing CHEN