There are many misunderstandings and confusions about Chinese studies in the academic world. It is of great significance to us to accurately define its connotation and clarify its basic characteristics.

Many people are vague about the connotation of Chinese studies and often confuse it with Sinology and Confucian classics. This situation is very common. We must conduct in-depth research on the fundamental connotation of Chinese studies.

Sinology does not originate from Western Sinology, nor does it adhere to traditional Confucian classics. It has its own unique modern connotation.

There are certain deviations in the historical research methods of modern Western social sciences when discussing Chinese Confucian classics.

Some studies often just rigidly apply the framework of history to analyze classics, without paying attention to the deep significance contained in Chinese studies itself.

Some scholars deliberately do not follow this historical research method, but interpret ancient books from the perspective of today's social life. However, this is significantly different from the ancient tradition of classics. The academic characteristics of Chinese studies are modern, and they are based on modern lifestyles.

The characteristics of Chinese studies make it an emerging academic concept. In this era, there are many differences between it and Confucian classics in terms of research goals, methods and foundations.

Traditional Confucian classics originated from ancient social life, while Chinese studies are a product of modern society. The two are very different in nature and cannot be generalized.

Philology and the compilation of ancient books belong to the modern academic paradigm of historiography.

Viewed from this perspective, it is not fundamentally different from the previously mentioned historical research methods for studying Confucian classics.

This is not to deny the importance of philology and ancient book compilation.

Although there is a lot of work in collating ancient books, which allows us to have a deeper understanding of ancient culture, this sort of collation is not the core content of Confucian classics.

Chinese studies covers a wider scope, not just the compilation and study of ancient books.

We need to re-examine classics and ancient cultural achievements from the perspective of modern society, so that these ancient knowledge can be integrated with modern life and bring positive value to modern times, not just at the level of compiling ancient books.

If many scholars fail to integrate it with the modernization of Chinese studies when engaging in literature research, then the value of such research in the field of Chinese studies will be relatively small.

If the creation of many papers is limited to the compilation of ancient books, if they are not combined with the background of modern society, and if they do not deeply explore the core spirit of Chinese studies, it will be difficult to make a more significant contribution to the field of Chinese studies.

There is a big difference in essence between Western Sinology and Chinese Studies.

The purpose and methods of Western Sinology are different from what we expect from Chinese Studies.

Although many scholars in China advocate using Western Sinology methods to study Chinese studies.

Some research projects strictly follow Western Sinology's interpretation of Chinese cultural structure, but are far from the actual needs of Chinese society.

Western scholars often stand on their own side when studying Chinese culture, and some studies even give a biased interpretation or reshape of Chinese culture.

Chinese studies is an academic study related to the modern country, which focuses on China’s own characteristics and connotation.

If we simply imitate Western Sinology methods for research, Sinology will lose its unique spirit and it will be difficult to demonstrate the unique value of our country’s academics.

Although Western Sinological expressions recognize to some extent the concepts related to the country, they are still fundamentally different from traditional Chinese Sinology.

The real purpose of Liang Qichao's study of "The Academic History of China in the Past Three Hundred Years" was to analyze Confucian classics. However, he did not provide a way to build a system of Chinese studies.

Empirical historical research on Chinese studies can easily lead to the disconnection between Chinese studies and current Chinese people’s lives and national conditions.

Many results obtained using empirical historical methods appear to be purely for research and are not closely related to the development of contemporary Chinese society.

Modern Chinese studies need to reconstruct their own system based on the deconstruction of Confucian classics. However, it is difficult to provide a stable path for the development of Chinese studies by relying solely on empirical historical methods.

In the development of modern society, Chinese studies cannot be limited to the analysis of Confucian classics, otherwise it will always linger in an incomplete structure, difficult to demonstrate its due role in contemporary society, and unable to bring positive changes to social culture and other aspects. directional promotion effect.

Now, in the American academic system, the division of literature, history and philosophy is particularly prominent. Academic research of all kinds is governed by the national philosophy and is designed to serve the national identity.

Chinese traditional studies do not attempt to replace other subject areas. However, in the Chinese academic system, traditional Chinese studies should occupy a fundamental and important position.

When distinguishing between disciplines such as literature, history and philosophy, if we are too detailed, we may overemphasize the differences between disciplines and ignore the overall cultural connotation of the country that they jointly embody.

Traditional Chinese studies spiritually play a foundational role in modern academic subjects.

Many social science researches will appear incomplete if they lack the cultural essence of Chinese studies, which is derived from Chinese characteristics.

Chinese studies need to integrate knowledge from multiple fields such as history, literature, philosophy, etc., and provide fertile nutrients for contemporary academic research from the perspective of Chinese culture.

Chinese studies have a unique position and value in contemporary times.

Chinese studies should not be ignored in the modern academic field. It should make full use of its own characteristics and highlight China's cultural characteristics.

Today, as globalization continues to deepen, Chinese studies do not exist in isolation. It can communicate and discuss with academics from all over the world. However, this requires that we first clearly understand and stick to our roots.

Chinese studies play an irreplaceable role in shaping national cultural identity and providing spiritual support for contemporary society.

At the school education stage, appropriate Chinese studies teaching can help children get in touch with and master the core of their own culture at an early stage and continue the traditional spirit of the nation. At the same time, in shaping social culture, the role of Chinese studies is to shape modern civilization with Chinese characteristics.

The development path of Chinese studies in modern society has yet to be explored in depth. We must pay attention to every step of this process and work hard to defend the core position of Chinese studies in today's academic and society.

Do you have any unique thoughts on the modernity and basic characteristics of Chinese studies?

Do you also agree with the important position of Chinese studies in contemporary academic circles?