On September 20, the High-Level Forum on National Strategic Needs and High-Quality Development of Foreign Language Disciplines was held on South Campus by School of Foreign Languages of Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU). Scholars from universities across China gathered to discuss the new advancement of foreign language studies.

At the opening ceremony, Vice President Xie Shi delivered a speech, extending a warm welcome to all guests and expressing heartfelt gratitude to the experts for their longstanding support and dedication to the development of SYSU. Xie provided an overview of the university’s century-long history, highlighting its foreign language disciplines. He noted that, in the context of the new era, these disciplines face both internal challenges and external pressures for advancement.

The event, he explained, aims to explore the new paths for the development of foreign language studies in this changing landscape.

Vice President Xie Shi delivers a speech.

Dean Chang Chenguang, on behalf of School of Foreign Languages and School of International Studies, extended his welcome and gratitude to the experts attending the forum. He highlighted the university’s long history in foreign language studies, marked by distinguished faculty and generations of outstanding graduates. Despite the challenges the department has faced -- such as relocation, restructuring, suspension, and reinstatement -- the academic legacy has been preserved and continues to thrive.

In the context of the new era, as Chang noted, national strategies and the demands of economic and social development have placed new requirements on the cultivation of foreign language talent. Furthermore, emerging technological transformations are profoundly impacting the content and methods of foreign language education, presenting both new opportunities and adjustments for the discipline. He expressed hope that the experts would share valuable insights and work together to promote the continued growth of foreign language studies.

Dean Chang Chenguang delivers a speech.

The forum was divided into two parts, with keynote speeches and panel discussions held in both the morning and afternoon. The morning session, chaired by Professor Wang Yong from Sun Yat-sen University, featured several prominent scholars. Professor Wang Kefei from Beijing Foreign Studies University delivered a keynote address titled “New Starting Points and Developments in Foreign Language Disciplines.” Professor Xu Jie from the University of Macau followed with his presentation, “Grounded and Visionary: Writing Academic Papers on Both China’s Land and the World’s Sky.” The session concluded with Professor Liu Jianda from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, who spoke on “High-Quality Development of Foreign Language Disciplines in the New Era.”

Professor Wang Kefei of Beijing Foreign Studies University delivers a report on “New Starting Points and Developments in Foreign Language Disciplines”.

Professor Xu Jie, Dean of the School of Humanities, University of Macau, gives a report on “Writing Academic Papers on Both China’s Land and the World’s Sky”.

Professor Liu Jianda, Vice President of Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, delivers a report on “High-Quality Development of Foreign Language Disciplines in the New Era”.

The subsequent roundtable discussion, hosted by Professor Wang Taohua, saw experts engaging in a lively debate on the theme “National Strategic Needs and High-Quality Development of Foreign Language Disciplines.” Professors Pu Ruoxi, Zhu Xianlong, Gu Hongli, Wang Jinjun, Wang Kefei, and Xu Jie each shared their institutions’ proactive efforts in building strong academic programs. They discussed the challenges and difficulties faced in the development of the discipline and exchanged ideas on potential reforms. The discussions were insightful and served as a platform for mutual inspiration and learning, fostering the exploration of new approaches to advancing foreign language studies.

Roundtable discussion in the morning session

In the afternoon, Professor Chen Ming from Peking University delivered a talk on “Responding to National Strategic Needs: New Initiatives in the Development of Foreign Language Disciplines.” This was followed by Professor Hu Anjiang from Sichuan International Studies University, who presented a speech entitled “Serving National Priorities: Promoting Adjustment and Optimization for the Construction of World-Class Disciplines in Foreign Language and Literature.” Lastly, Professor Chang Chenguang from Sun Yat-sen University delivered a report on “Foreign Language and Literature and Area Studies.”

Professor Chen Ming, Dean of the School of Foreign Languages of Peking University, delivers a report on “Responding to National Strategic Needs: High-quality Development of the Department of Foreign Languages of Peking University”.

Professor Hu Anjiang, Vice President of Sichuan International Studies University, delivers a report on “Serving National Priorities: Promoting Adjustment and Optimization for the Construction of World-Class Disciplines in Foreign Language and Literature”.

Professor Chang Chenguang, Dean of School of Foreign Languages and School of International Translation, Sun Yat-sen University, delivers a report on “Foreign Languages and Literature and Area Studies”.

The following roundtable discussion, chaired by Professor Zhou Hui, focused on the theme “Upholding Tradition and Innovation: The Essence and Boundaries of Foreign Language Disciplines.” Professors Hu Chunyu, Yang Bingjun, Zhang Weilei, Xiao Mingwen, He Qingshun, Huang Jie, and Associate Professor Jiang Hui shared their experiences and insights on interdisciplinary development, reflections on balancing tradition and innovation, and the transformation of faculty roles. The discussions resonated with the participants, leading to a strong consensus on key issues within the discipline.

Roundtable discussion in the afternoon session

In his concluding remarks, Dean Chang Chenguang summarized the key insights from the six keynote speeches and two round table discussions. He noted that the experts had thoroughly exchanged ideas on the critical issues of aligning foreign language disciplines with national strategic needs and driving their high-quality development. The discussions delved into how foreign language studies can meet national and regional economic demands, how to balance tradition with innovation, and how to define each institution’s unique strengths. These exchanges of ideas sparked intellectual resonance and consensus among participants, offering valuable insights for the future development of the field.

Dean Chang expressed hope that everyone would continue to explore systems and mechanisms for talent cultivation in the context of the New Liberal Arts initiative, collectively shaping a new framework for the development of foreign language disciplines in the new era, and fostering their high-quality, intrinsic growth.

The forum delved into new pathways for the development of foreign language disciplines in the context of the new era, uncovering the evolving connotations of the field, exploring disciplinary boundaries, and highlighting its contemporary significance. By balancing the preservation of tradition with innovation, the forum emphasized the importance of foreign language disciplines in serving both national needs and social demands. It was seen as a significant step forward in promoting the high-quality development of foreign language studies in China.