Written by: Xiang Runyuan, Ding Defeng, Li Wenwen, Zhuo Xiaoyi, Tang Chuhan
Edited by: Ding Defeng
Translated by: Li Tingting, Xiao Liang
On October 19, the China-Africa Institute of Xiangtan Universitywas officially inaugurated. It marks the first officially listedCountry andAreaStudiesCenter in Hunan Province.On the same occasion, the university hosted a series of events including the founding ceremony, the Africa Forum, and theCountry andAreaStudiesDiscipline Development Forum. More than one hundred experts and scholars from universities, research institutions, government authorities, enterprises and law firms across the country gathered at the scene to witness theestablishment of theInstitute and conduct in-depth discussions on hot issues concerning African studies and the development ofCountry andAreaStudiesas an academicdiscipline.
In the morning, the founding ceremony of the China-Africa Institute was presided over by Liu Qijun, Party Secretary of Xiangtan University.Speakers at the ceremony included Liao Yong’an, President of Xiangtan University and Dean of the China-Africa Institute,Li Guangyi, Professor of Xiangtan University and Advisor to the Chinese Society for AfricanHistory,Xu Xiangping, Counselor of the People’s Government of Hunan Province and President of the Hunan Association for the Promotion of China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation,Tian Feng, Secretary of the Commission for Discipline Inspection and Deputy Director of the West Asian and African StudiesInstituteof theChinese Academy of Social Sciences,Ren Xiaoshan, Deputy Head of the Publicity Department of the Hunan Provincial Party Committee,Long Mei, First-Class Inspector of the International Cooperation Bureau of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate,Ma Huaide, Member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Vice Presidentof the China Law Society,Chairman ofitsAcademic Committee and President of China University of Political Science and Law,as well as Xiao Bailing, Member of the Party Leadership Group and Vice Chairman of the Hunan Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, who delivered addresses in sequence.
Liao Yong’an stated that adhering to the philosophy of steady accumulation, integration of knowledge and practice, upholding fundamentals while pursuing innovation, and fostering connectivity and bilateral bonds, Xiangtan University has grown into an important academic stronghold for African law research. It has contributed Xiangtan University’s wisdom to national strategic needs, developed an interdisciplinary “Africa-plus” talent training model, and expanded diverse channels for international cooperation.Looking ahead, the university will strive to build four major highlands,includingan academic highland for African studies, a think tank highland for cooperation with Africa, a highland for cultivating high-end legal and business professionals engaged in Africa-related affairs, and a highland for China-Africa people-to-people and cultural exchanges. The China-Africa Institute will make new achievements in serving China-Africa cooperation, and the discipline ofCountry andAreaStudieswill embrace more vigorous development.
Recalling his early endeavors, Professor Li Guangyi shared how he once led a team to collect and compile country-specific data on Africa. This foundational research provided crucial support for the establishment of the first Sino-African sister-city partnership between Changsha and Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of the Congo, thereby marking the inception of economic, trade, and cultural exchanges between Hunan Province and the African continent. He further highlighted that Xiangtan University has pioneered two historic milestones: spearheading Africa-focused cooperation among Chinese universities and establishing the model for provincial institutions to serve as governmental think tanks. Looking ahead, Professor Li expressed his hope that the colleagues at the Xiangtan University China-Africa Research Institute will continue to work diligently, striving to yield substantive and enduring academic contributions.
Xu Xiangping noted that embodying the spirit of blazing new trails and forging ahead, Xiangtan University has evolved from a follower into a leader in African studies.He suggested that the Institute should strive to become an intellectual engine for the quality upgrading of China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, a training base for legal and practical professionals, and further deepen dialogue between Chinese and African civilizations through integrated development of industry, academia, research and application.
Tian Feng pointed out that the founding of the China-Africa Institute of Xiangtan University epitomizes the strides made by China’s African studies.Shehopedthat the Institute should develop a comprehensive researchframeworkcovering the entire African continent, nurture a young talent cohort well-versed in African affairs and professional expertise, advance the systematic transformation and upgrading of research paradigms and provide high-caliber intellectual support so as to integrate academic research with practical application.
“The China-Africa Institute shall focus on three core tasks:building a highland for African studies, developing a distinctive disciplinary system, and fostering a talent pool of leading interdisciplinary professionals.”Ren Xiaoshan expressed the hope that the Institute will uphold the right political orientation, stay true to its original academic aspiration, and work together with experts, scholars and all sectors of society to continuously elevate China-Africa relations to new heights.
Long Mei remarked that the China-AfricaInstitute shouldevolveinto a benchmark think tank for China’s African studies, a distinctive highland for cultivating Africa-oriented professionals, and an important force for enhancing China-Africa exchanges and cooperation. She looked forward to further strengthening cooperation with the Institute and all sectors of society to promote the steady and long-term development of China-Africa relations.
Ma Huaide stated thatCountry andAreaStudiesserve as a key link that integrates a sound grasp of international rules with in-depth engagement in regional practices.He expressed the hope that the China-Africa Institute will take its inauguration as a new starting point, shoulder its due responsibilities, forge ahead with determination, and march steadily and further on the path of supporting China-Africa cooperation and advancing the development ofCountry andAreaStudies.
Xiao Bailing noted that the establishment of the China-Africa Institute marks a vital initiative to proactively serve national strategies and deepen China-Africa intellectual collaboration. Centering on national development strategies and Hunan’s opening-up endeavors, the Institute shall consolidate its research strengths, cement its academic foundation, rally diverse resources, and forge a distinctive cooperation brand. By empowering its think tank platform, broadening research coverage, scaling up talent cultivation, and intensifying people-to-people exchanges, the Institute will elevate China-Africa research to a new level with greater height, breadth, solidity and depth. It will offer theoretical underpinnings and impetus for Hunan-Africa cooperation in economy, culture, green development and other sectors.
Witnessed by all attending guests, Xie Yong together with Liao Yong’an, and Ren Xiaoshan together with Guo Zhenghuai,officially unveiled the plaques for the China-Africa Research Institute and the Hunan ProvincialCountryandAreaStudies Center, respectively. This was followed by a formal appointment ceremony commissioning 10 distinguished scholars as Advisors to the Institute’s Academic Committee and 7 experienced practitioners as Practice Mentors.
During the Africa Forum, Professor Sun Shuzhong (Adjunct Fellow of Nanjing University) and other experts delivered special reports, sharing forward-looking insights and experience in China-Africa diplomatic and economic cooperation.
In the afternoon, theCountry andAreaStudiesDiscipline Development Forum convened with two parallel sessions,Discipline Construction and Talent Cultivation for CountryandRegion Studies and Prevailing Issues in African Regional Research. Following in-depth deliberations, participating experts agreed that as China-Africa cooperation continues to deepen, Africa-related legal talent, regional studies, and risk prevention and control have become increasingly pivotal. It is imperative to strengthen interdisciplinary, practice-based comprehensive research and collaboration. All attendees resolved to work in unity and forge ahead with determination, leveraging their professional expertise to make new contributions to China’s cooperation initiatives in Africa.
As Hunan’s first officially accreditedCountry and Region StudiesCenter, the inauguration of the China-Africa Research Institute marks a pivotal step for Xiangtan University in serving national strategies, advancing China-Africa research, and boosting the development ofCountry and Region Studies. Moving forward, the Institute will strive to grow into a high-level platform integrating talent cultivation, academic research, policy consultation and practical cooperation.
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