ATHENS—On Nov. 26, Gao Xiang, president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), conducted an inspection of the Chinese School of Classical Studies at Athens (CSCSA) in Athens, Greece.

During the inspection, Gao remarked that the establishment of the CSCSA is a strategic move to implement the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and to fulfill the important consensus reached by the leaders of China and Greece. He emphasized the need to fully recognize both the historical and academic significance of the CSCSA’s establishment, and seize this opportunity to build the institution into an academic center for international classical studies, a leading force in scientific research, and a platform for exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.

Gao stressed that, as the first high-level, prestigious platform and institution for classical studies established overseas by CASS, the CSCSA must follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture and the general secretary’s congratulatory letter to the inaugural World Conference of Classics. It is essential to explicitly address the questions of “why, who, and how to establish it,” and promptly develop plans for scientific research and team building. The institution should cultivate a dedicated and loyal academic team, organize high-level research projects and academic activities, and lead the direction of international classical studies. It must also shoulder the historical mission of classical studies, striving to construct a Chinese school of classics, and effectively promote Chinese voices and civilization. The CSCSA should boldly assert the true academic voice of China in the new era, using Chinese wisdom to illuminate the history of human civilization and contribute to advancing global civilizational exchanges and mutual learning.