Mission
The Center for the Study of Chinese Historical Sources from Overseas at Southeast University is an academic institution primarily focused on the collection, organization, translation, and study of modern and contemporary Chinese historical sources in foreign languages. Drawing on the academic interests, research expertise, and prior achievements of its members, the center concentrates on significant Chinese historical sources overseas, covering five major languages: English, Japanese, French, Russian, and Spanish. The time period spans nearly a century, and there has been little systematic analysis or discussion of these sources within the domestic historiography, providing ample space for expansion and significant research value. In addition to its research activities, the center actively cultivates interdisciplinary leaders in international communication, equipped with solid foreign language skills and a profound understanding of the humanities.
Functions
On the one hand, the center leverages the linguistic strengths of the School of Foreign Languages by integrating existing expertise in English, Japanese, Russian, translation studies, and related fields, forming a new direction for academic development and growth within the school. On the other hand, as a bold interdisciplinary research initiative, the center collaborates with the History Department and other faculties at Southeast University, providing them with essential resources and intellectual support. Through the translation and introduction of foreign-language sources on various aspects of modern and contemporary Chinese society, including social, economic, legal, literary, architectural, transportation, and scientific fields, the center aims to break down disciplinary barriers between the humanities, sciences, and engineering, laying a solid foundation for the creation of a university-wide platform for collaborative innovation.
Main Research Directions and Achievements
The center’s main research focus is on Chinese historical sources recorded in foreign languages, including English, Japanese, Russian, French, and Spanish. Areas of study include the history of the Communist Party of China, military history, the history of science and technology, architectural history, the history of everyday life, and the history of gender studies. In recent years, members of the center have published dozens of academic papers in SSCI and A&HCI journals abroad, as well as in CSSCI journals domestically, and have been responsible for over ten national-level projects and over ten provincial and ministerial-level projects.
Personnel
The center is primarily composed of core faculty members from the English, Japanese, Russian, French, and Spanish departments of the School of Foreign Languages at Southeast University.
Director of the Center: Weiwei Lu (professor)
Deputy Director of the Center: Zhuowen Wang (lecturer)
