The 'Lingnan Journal of Chinese Studies' celebrates Chinese and Western erudition on its 10th anniversary
The history of the Lingnan Journal of Chinese Studies dates back to 1929, when it was founded by Lingnan University in Guangzhou. It became a shared memory in the academic community of important articles by literary giants such as Chen Yinke, Wu Mi, Yang Shuda, Wang Li, and Rong Geng, representing the essence of Chinese literature and history.
In 2014, the Chinese Department of Lingnan University relaunched the journal in order to carry on a century-old academic tradition and energise Chinese and Western scholarship in the humanities. Over the past decade, the journal has served well to enhance Lingnan’s research strengths in literature and history. Sharing the rich heritage of Chinese culture with scholars all over the world, it has taken on the role of a noteworthy venue for Chinese and foreign cultural exchanges.
Currently, the journal is published by the Department of Chinese at Lingnan University in collaboration with The Advanced Institute for Global Chinese Studies. Twenty issues have come out so far, including 10 special issues, and it has attracted thousands of submissions from scholars worldwide. It has held 10 academic conferences, and become an important platform for promoting sinological exchanges and international academic cooperation.
The Lingnan Journal of Chinese Studies was selected by the prestigious Chinese Social Sciences Citation Index 2023/24 (CSCI) and Taiwan Humanities Core Index in 2020 and 2023. Prof Cai Zong-qi, the Chief Editor, was named a Distinguished Editor, the highest honour awarded by the Council of Editors of Learned Journals, for his outstanding contributions to the Lingnan Journal of Chinese Studies, the Journal of Chinese Literature and Culture, and the Prism.
Twenty issues of the "Lingnan Journal of Chinese Studies" have been published since its relaunch, including 10 special issues.
From 20-21 September 2024, the 10th anniversary celebration of the relaunch of the Lingnan Journal of Chinese Studies and the Lingnan-Fudan International Symposium: Buddhism and Chinese Literature and Other Classical Literature Studies were held at Lingnan University, jointly hosted by Lingnan’s The Advanced Institute for Global Chinese Studies and Fudan University’s International Center for Studies of Chinese Civilization.
About 25 experts and scholars from Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao share their latest research findings and insights on “The World of Xie Lingyun”, “Buddhist History and Transmission”, “Classical Poetry”, “The Influence of Buddhism”, “Source Studies”, and “Inscriptions and Interpretations”.
Prof Cai Zong-qi, Editor-in-Chief of the Lingnan Journal of Chinese Studies
Chief Editor Prof Cai Zong-qi, Director of The Advanced Institute for Global Chinese Studies, believes that the relaunched Lingnan Journal of Chinese Studies has been able to integrate traditional Chinese studies with western Sinology, thanks to the support of the Presidents of Lingnan University, Prof Chan Yuk-shee, Prof Leonard K. Cheng, and Prof S. Joe Qin, and the enthusiastic support of colleagues in the academic community.
“With the help of key partners, the Lingnan Journal of Chinese Studies has become a respected publication for international Chinese studies, showcasing important academic achievements. Over the next decade, the editorial team will continue to leverage Lingnan University’s strengths, and raise quality to new levels, ensuring each paper contains profound insights and is of high academic value,” says Prof Cai.
Prof Xin Yao, Lingnan University’s Vice-President (Research and Innovation) and Tong Tin Sun Chair Professor of Machine Learning, gave the opening speech, expressing his complete confidence in both the journal and the Chinese Department. He plans to further consolidate Lingnan’s literary accomplishments, and make real progress in digital humanities. He also emphasised the integration of traditional humanities with emerging intelligent technologies to achieve digitisation and intelligence.
Prof Xin Yao, Vice-President (Research and Innovation) and Tong Tin Sun Chair Professor of Machine Learning at Lingnan University
Prof Chen Yinchi, Director of the International Center for Studies of Chinese Civilization at Fudan University
Prof Chen Yinchi, Director of the International Center for Studies of Chinese Civilization at Fudan University, praised the great dedication of Prof Cai Zong-qi and his many important initiatives over the years, including relaunching the Lingnan Journal of Chinese Studies, editing the Journal of Chinese Literature and Culture, and organising a series of high-profile thematic seminars to broaden the international perspective of both students and scholars.
“Prof Cai encourages everyone to get together for discussions and exchanges of ideas, and to discuss Buddhism, one of the most important topics, and its connection with Chinese literature and culture.” Prof Chen hopes that Lingnan and Fudan Universities will hold more dialogues, and collaborate with the noble aim of promoting Chinese culture worldwide.
Time passes so swiftly, and it is remarkable that a whole decade has elapsed since the Lingnan Journal of Chinese Studies was re-established. Ms Xi Tongyun, Editor-in-Chief of the Shanghai Chinese Classics Publishing House, recollects it all vividly, from the initial decision to the imminent launch of the 22nd edition.
“Prof Cai and his team’s dedication and hard work have left an indelible mark on all of us,” she says. “It was in early 2013 that Prof Wang Chunhong from the Chinese Department at Lingnan University first contacted us, and this led to a decision in Shanghai that August, followed by the submission of manuscripts for the inaugural and second issues in the first half of 2014. This reflects the high level of preparation and dedication.”
Ms Xi particularly admires the journal for its rich and diverse sources, and because it fosters academic discourse by featuring the finest writing and historical articles by scholars from all over the world as well as interesting lectures, and thematic conference papers. The careful selection of subjects for each issue encapsulates a broad spectrum of cultures and the dynamic interplay between ancient and modern, east and west, showing the publication’s commitment to quality, so that putting it together presents an invaluable learning opportunity.
Ms Xi Tongyun, Editor-in-Chief of the Shanghai Chinese Classics Publishing House
To mark the 10th anniversary of the journal’s revival, the publisher is poised to reprint two meticulously curated volumes, The Sound and Sense: New Perspectives on Classical Chinese Poetry and Prose, edited by Prof Cai Zong-qi, and a compilation of early works by Xu Gang, an award-winning literary figure and former editor of the People’s Daily.
“Looking ahead, prospects for further collaboration are exciting, especially as the potential integration of artificial intelligence technology heralds an innovative approach,” Ms Xi concludes.