The new French Sinology

Sinology is a "French invention". However, despite the considerable increase of interest in this discipline in the past years and its current state, much remains to be done to meet the challenges of its development in France. Quite apart from the difficulties associated with the current situation in China, on the French side the lack of resources, the institutional constraints that encourage the compartmentalisation of research and the inadequacy of exchanges between researchers are all factors that hinder its progress.

With the aim of strengthening exchanges between researchers, particularly those of the younger generation, this bimonthly seminar aims to offer them a platform to present their work. The seminar is intended as a forum for intellectual encounters where the diversity of approaches and themes can contribute to a better understanding of developments and issues relating to China in France.

The term ‘sinology’ may seem somewhat outdated to some people today. The polemics surrounding the naming of the discipline, opposing this term to that of ‘Chinese Studies’, and the ideological and intellectual implications that this entails, are also understood. However, the choice of using this term is not just about perpetuating this French academic tradition in the new global intellectual landscape, or recalling its glorious past. It is also an invitation to examine China in its continuity, despite the ruptures that have occurred in its history since modern times. Dialogue must be strengthened between research on ancient China and that on contemporary China, so that one can draw inspiration from the other and, ultimately, generate the depth and freshness that are indispensable to research on China as a whole.

Practical information

This seminar will be held at the Maison Suger, 16 rue Suger, 75006 Paris.

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The seminar is organised by Lun Zhang, Professor of Chinese Studies at the University of Cergy-Pontoise, Paris.