Conference Proceedings - 7th World Conference of Chinese Studies 2023: Chinese Studies in Times of Polarization

This conference volume documents the proceedings of the 7th World Conference of Chinese Studies, held under the theme "Chinese Studies in Times of Polarization" from August 25–31, 2023, at three locations: Poznań (Poland), Berlin (Germany), and Changsha (China). The conference was organized by the World Association for Chinese Studies in collaboration with Adam Mickiewicz University Poznań, Mediadesign Hochschule Berlin, Hunan Normal University, and the German China Association (established 1957).
The papers collected in this volume reflect the thematic breadth and methodological diversity of international Sinology. Contributions encompass literary analyses of Chinese classics and modern texts, comparative studies on intercultural reception processes between China, Korea, Japan, and the West, as well as historical investigations into topics such as the American image in late Qing overseas travelogues or Western missionaries' perceptions of China in the 19th century. Additional focal points include explorations of Confucian and Buddhist thought, gender-specific perspectives on literature and space, the dissemination of Chinese cultural elements (such as bamboo culture in Korea), and contemporary geopolitical issues including China's economic influence in Latin America within the context of the Belt and Road Initiative. The titular concept of "polarization" refers to the growing tensions in international relations and their impact on scholarly discourse about China.