WeChat official account "Fujian Normal University" on November 17 reported that on November 15, the symposium commemorating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Sino-Ryukyu Relations Research Institute and the academic conference on the construction of the "Ryukyu Studies" discipline, hosted by Fujian Normal University and jointly organized by the Sino-Ryukyu Relations Research Institute, the School of Literature, and the Library, was held in the Hongda Hall of the Qishan Campus of Fujian Normal University.
The conference focused on the theme "Tradition and Innovation: The Construction and Development of Ryukyu Studies." Experts and scholars from more than twenty universities and research institutions including the University of the Ryukyus, Waseda University, the Nankai Cultural Research Institute of Okinawa International University, Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts, Musashino Art University, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the First Historical Archives of China, Beijing Language and Culture University, Qufu Normal University, Nanjing University, Zhejiang University, Xiamen University, Jimei University, South China Normal University, Guangzhou University, and the Museum of Maritime History of Quanzhou attended the meeting.
Before the opening ceremony, Zheng Jiajian, president of Fujian Normal University, met with Japanese scholars attending the event in the school's VIP room. He hoped that both Chinese and Japanese academia would make more active contributions to the development of the Sino-Ryukyu Relations Research Institute for the next 30 years. At the opening ceremony, Lin Yue'en, the disciplinary inspection secretary of the university, delivered a welcome speech on behalf of the university, introducing important achievements made by Fujian Normal University in the field of Ryukyu studies in recent years.
Professor Kikuchi Kazuhisa, vice president of the University of the Ryukyus, recalled his experiences studying and living in China and expressed gratitude to numerous scholars who have worked diligently in the field of Ryukyu studies.
Professor Morita Tatsuya, vice president of Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts, and Professor Iwata Naoko, director of the Nankai Cultural Research Institute of Okinawa International University, stated in their speeches that they hope Fujian and Okinawa can further deepen exchanges in the fields of economy, culture, and art. They called on scholars from both regions to uphold the spirit of mutual respect and learning, jointly open a new era of Sino-Ryukyu studies, and look forward to expanding future academic cooperation with Fujian Normal University.
Professor Ujiya Kenichi of the University of the Ryukyus expressed firm confidence in the study of the history of Sino-Ryukyu relations. He particularly pointed out that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance against Japan, and he hopes that scholars from China and Japan will promote the steady and long-term development of Sino-Japanese friendship through exchanges and mutual learning.
Professor Wang Yaohua, representing scholars from Fujian Normal University, reviewed the fruitful achievements of cultural and artistic exchanges between China and Ryukyu from the perspective of culture and art.
The conference also read a letter of congratulations from the Deputy Governor of Okinawa Prefecture, Oshiro Hajime, and the Taiwan Institute of Xiamen University. A special video titled "Looking Back" produced by the Sino-Ryukyu Relations Research Institute was played at the opening ceremony, and a press conference was held for the release of the "China and Ryukyu History Digital Museum."
Professor Xie Bizhen, director of the Sino-Ryukyu Relations Research Institute, gave a keynote speech titled "Review and Prospects of Sino-Ryukyu Relations Research" at the opening ceremony.
The speech was divided into three parts: "Background of the Institute's Establishment," "Academic Research and Talent Cultivation," and "Five-Year Development Plan for the Institute."
Regarding "Academic Research and Talent Cultivation," Xie Bizhen introduced in detail five aspects, including hosting various academic conferences, visiting and researching Japan, undertaking major research projects, publishing and releasing academic works, and focusing on cultivating specialized talents. Regarding the "Five-Year Development Plan for the Institute," he outlined seven aspects, including the construction of a Ryukyu historical materials database, the construction of the China and Ryukyu History Digital Museum (Japanese and English versions), compiling 20 volumes of the "Sino-Ryukyu Relations Research Series," strengthening the cultivation of graduate students in the direction of Sino-Ryukyu relations, promoting cooperative exchanges with academic institutions in Japan and China's Taiwan region, holding academic conferences, and actively applying for various research projects. Among these, the construction of the Ryukyu historical materials database, the construction of the China and Ryukyu History Digital Museum (Japanese and English versions), and the compilation of the "Sino-Ryukyu Relations Research Series" attracted particular attention.
On September 23, 2025, the official WeChat account of Fujian Normal University published an article introducing that recently, the Ryukyu Studies discipline of the university was selected as one of the 2025 funding disciplines under the "Esoteric Discipline" Support Program of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences's Chinese History Research Institute (Professor Xie Bizhen is the head of the discipline). It is one of the six esoteric disciplines selected nationwide and the only project in the province to be selected since the establishment of the program, fully demonstrating the overall strength and academic influence of the university's Ryukyu Studies.
This article is an exclusive contribution from Observer Network. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7574357882850869803/
Statement: This article represents the views of its author. Please express your opinion below using the [Top/Down] buttons.