On October 14, the 2nd World Congress of Chinese Studies opened in Shanghai. The theme of this conference is "Historical China and Contemporary China from a World Perspective", and there are five parallel forums. About 500 Chinese and foreign guests from more than 50 countries and regions gathered on the banks of the Huangpu River to exchange views and collide ideas, making the picture of world Chinese studies clearer, more vivid and full of tension.
At this conference, the demeanor of Fudan's outstanding international students and alumni also shone: Gao Dimin, an American alumnus of the Department of Chinese Language and Literature, and Fan Di, an Italian alumnus of the School of Philosophy, talked about Chinese studies with scholars from all over the world and shared their long fate with Shanghai and Fudan.
Thomas Gold, an American alumnus of the Department of Chinese Language and Literature, studied at the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at Fudan University from February 1979 to February 1980 as one of the first American students funded and dispatched by the government, and is now a professor emeritus in the Department of Sociology at the University of California, Berkeley, and an advisor to the Public Intellectuals Program of the National Council on U.S.-China Relations. As a translator for the U.S. State Department, he witnessed many historic occasions between China and the United States before and after the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States. China is his life's research topic, and he has in-depth research on the sociology and culture of China and the United States. Gao Dimin thought about Shanghai's long-standing cultural heritage, profound historical civilization and the systematic planning behind China's modernization process. He said he likes to take long walks and explore Shikumen, the lanes and the old buildings. He emphasized the importance of field research for foreign scholars to experience Chinese society firsthand and understand how China uses its history, culture, and values to shape its unique path in global governance.
Dario Famularo, an Italian alumnus of the School of Philosophy, is an Italian doctoral student alumnus of the School of Philosophy of Fudan University in 2023 and a recipient of a scholarship from the Chinese government. Fan Di shared his insights on Shanghai, a central city he believes is a key understanding of China. "I studied at Fudan University for four years and have very cherished memories of my mentors," he says, recalling his unforgettable years there. He emphasizes how timeless ideas such as filial piety, harmonious culture, and the unity of nature and man have evolved in the process of modernization, and that Chinese culture has always been a living and dynamic force that provides insights that connect the wisdom of the past with the challenges of today.
