YNU holds seminar on Southeast Asian studies

The Institute of Myanmar Studies and Institute of Diplomacy with Neighboring Countries at Yunnan University (YNU) hold the 1st Seminar on Southeast Asian Country and Area Studies from May 24 to 25. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]

The Institute of Myanmar Studies and Institute of Diplomacy with Neighboring Countries at Yunnan University (YNU) held the 1st Seminar on Southeast Asian Country and Area Studies from May 24 to 25. 

Jiang Jingkui, an official of the national watchdog for foreign language teaching at universities, and Li Chenyang, vice-president of YNU and dean of YNU’s Institute of Myanmar Studies, delivered speeches at the ceremony. 

They both noted that learning minority languages plays an important role in the study of countries and areas.

The aim of the seminar was to improve minority language teachers’ ability to carry out research on countries and areas. 

Following the two speeches, the Institute for Diplomacy with Neighboring Countries launched the first in a series of books on area studies at YNU.

A number of well-known scholars from Peking University, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Xiamen University, YNU, and other institutions delivered lectures on their latest research on countries and areas. 

Over the two-day seminar, more than 100 academics discussed issues related to history, culture, politics, and foreign relations with Southeast Asian countries, relations between China and Southeast Asian countries in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative, and cooperation mechanisms between ASEAN and Southeast Asian countries.

As China’s global influence expands and the Belt and Road Initiative develops further, the Chinese government, think tanks, and universities are attaching greater importance to country and area studies.