The 2017 Visiting Program for Young Sinologists in Shanghai drew to the end on Sept. 4. Thirty sinologists across 29 countries along with 19 domestic scholars and sinologists attended the forum, thepaper.cn reported on Sept. 5.

The 30 participants feature a wide range of research fields, including Chinese history, literature, language, economy, politics, and international relations. Each of them completed a research paper by the end of the program under the guidance of a Chinese expert.

Some established experts in Shanghai are invited to give lectures on various themes ranging from studies on China, legal system building, and China’s diplomacy and sustainable development in the context of globalization and urbanization.

Also, the young sinologists had access to the large-scale equipment manufacturing, environmental protection, and communities and legal system building in Shanghai through visits, and have a better understanding of China and its culture and history.

“China is the world’s fastest growing economy. I feel proud to have some link with it,” said Xia Wa (Chinese name), a participant from Zambia who graduated from East China Normal University with a master’s degree in global economics.

Zhi Yin (Chinese name) from Belarus speaks at the meeting.

“China boasts a long history and great wisdom. I hope to spread Chinese culture and also introduce Belarus to more Chinese friends, so as to make the world a better place,” said Zhi Yin (Chinese name) from Belarus.

Sinologists are no longer confined as scholars who study Chinese traditions through literature, but also conduct field research in China, said Cheng Zhenghong, a professor from Fudan University and a mentor of this program, updating the definition of “sinologists” as a combination of these two research methods.

The program, sponsored by Chinese government, is not meant to impose ideas on trainees, but to provide some research ideas with Chinese characteristics, said Chen.

Since 2014, the annual event has aimed to strengthen cultural exchanges and set up a platform for young sinologists worldwide to communicate and learn more about Chinese culture and history.

This year’s program is scheduled to be held in Zhengzhou, Shanghai, Xi’an, and Beijing from July to September. On Sept. 6, the program will start the next three-week-long forum in Xi’an.