Jointly organized by the China Association for Promoting Democracy and Ye Shengtao Research Association of China, an international symposium themed “Cross-Strait Scholars Exchanging Ideas on the World History” was held in Beijing from August 22 to 23. A dozen scholars from Chinese mainland universities including Peking University, Beijing Normal University and Zhejiang University as well as nine scholars from universities in Taiwan, China, attended the symposium. This was the first time for scholars of world history from both sides to officially meet and exchange ideas with each other, marking a step forward in mutual understanding and common promotion of healthy development of world history studies.

Yan Junqi, vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, chairwoman of China Association for Promoting Democracy and president of the Ye Shengtao Research Association of China, attended the opening ceremony and gave a speech. “World history is a significant channel for us to deeply understand the world, and our study of world history is actually to express the visions of Chinese nation and people,” Yan said, adding she hoped scholars across the Straits could explore a new model of cooperation during the symposium.

Professors Yang Su-hsien from the History Department at Taiwan University and Qian Shengdan from the Department of History at Peking University gave speeches on behalf of cross-Strait scholars. Yang said that the concept of world history was introduced into Taiwan in the 1980s, and universities began to offer related courses in the early 1990s.

Academia Sinica, the highest academic institution in Taiwan, set up its Research Division of World History within the Institute of History and Philosophy in 1992. In addition, an academic symposium with the aim of sharing ideas on world history was successively held 25 times.

Since the 1980s, 60 Taiwanese have earned doctorates in world history abroad. The study of world history in Taiwan has attained great development both in quantity and quality over the past two decades. However, Yang also pointed out that the study of world history in Taiwan focuses too much on European history, including British history and French history, rather than on wider regions.

Qian then introduced the development course of world history on the Chinese mainland. “The study of world history on the mainland represents the characteristic of diverse themes and rich materials, covering major regions of the world and all aspects of human life in different historical periods,” said Qian. He also pointed out that there are few researchers who engage in the study on the mainland and their language ability should be improved to meet future research demands .

During the symposium, mainland scholars also briefly introduced the current situations and problems of study of East Asian history, British history, French history, German history, Russian history, American history and African history. Scholars from Taiwan expressed their opinions on world history by combining their academic experience and research subjects.

Scholars across the Straits reached a consensus that world history is a discipline of studying world civilization, thus requiring more opportunities to engage in international dialogues and communication. Both sides also exchanged their ideas on the modes of talent cultivation and scientific research management.

The Chinese link: http://news.cssn.cn/zx/yw/201409/t20140903_1314436_1.shtml

　　Translated by Chen Meina

　　Revised by Tom Fearon