This year marks the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan, and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Korea. To deepen the research on the East Asian cultural capitals in China, Japan and South Korea, and build Wenzhou into the East Asian cultural capital, on November 12, “Exploring East Asia and Building the City of Culture: International Academic Forum on Cultural Exchange and Research on East Asia” was held in WZU. Some participants joined the event through video links. 

The forum was hosted by Wenzhou University, organized by College of Foreign Studies of WZU, and supported by Wenzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture, Broadcasting and Tourism. Xu Hekun, member of the Party Committee and vice president of WZU, and Ma Zhiyao, deputy director of Wenzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture, Broadcasting and Tourism, delivered opening remarks, respectively. Wang Baoping, president of Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi Branch of China Association for Japanese Teaching and Research, and professor from Nishogakusha University, Matsuura Akira, the Japanese historian and honorary professor from Kansai University, and Ko Sunhwa, a foreign language teacher from Wenzhou No. 14 High School, made keynote reports, respectively. Sun Ling, the head of the Office of the Wenzhou People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, teachers and students from College of Foreign Studies, and teachers from the Sino-Korean International Department of Wenzhou No. 14 High School attended the forum. The opening ceremony was moderated by Ye Miao, the dean of College of Foreign Studies.

Professor Xu Hekun warmly welcomed the experts, scholars and guests attending the forum and introduced the development of Wenzhou University. He pointed out that Wenzhou University, with the strong research strength and fruitful results, was the only comprehensive teaching and research university in southern Zhejiang, northern Fujian and eastern Jiangxi. In recent years, the discipline of foreign language and literature has been vigorously developed. He emphasized that the conference theme reflected the purpose of academic exchange and serving the local community.

Ma Zhiyao, introduced the journey of Wenzhou becoming the Capital of East Asian Culture. He pointed out that 2022 was the year of activities in Wenzhou. Wenzhou, as a historical and cultural city with profound heritage, would show its unique cultural temperament, strength and confidence to East Asia and the whole world with the characteristics of Song Dynasty. Ma emphasized that the “East Asian Cultural Capital - Wenzhou Japanese and Korean Expert Think Tank” jointly established by the College of Foreign Studies of WZU and Wenzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture, Broadcasting and Tourism at the beginning of this year had given full play to WZU’s teaching resources, and provided sufficient intellectual support for the research on East Asian culture, relevant activities and decision-making process. This forum would provide valuable suggestions and references for the activities related to the East Asia Cultural Year in Wenzhou.

Wang Baoping gave the first keynote speech on the topic of “New Trends in Liberal Arts Research - A Humble Opinion on Overseas Chinese Studies” from three aspects, namely, the related concepts of overseas Chinese studies, its history, and reasons for its popularity. He pointed out that since the 1990s, the overseas Chinese studies began to rise. In the past decade, the relevant research has been more prosperous. He stressed that the overseas Chinese studies was conducive to further clarifying the international influence of Chinese culture, which was in line with the aim of current research on humanities and social science and of great significance.

Matsuura Akira delivered the second keynote speech entitled “Wenzhou maritime routes and product export from the end of the 15th century to the beginning of the 20th century.” He pointed out that Wenzhou played an important role in maritime transportation and export trade during that period due to its unique geographical position and its ship transportation.

Ko Sunhwa delivered the third keynote speech under the theme of “South Korean Cultural Cities and Wenzhou.” The report further investigated the cultural differences between cities like Seoul, Jeonju, Gyeongju and Wenzhou by analyzing their history and modernization process, so as to clarify the concept of mutual learning and exchange between civilizations.

Japanese and Korean language teachers from the College of Foreign Studies of WZU, and those from the Sino-Korean International Department of Wenzhou No. 14 High School presented research results on the city construction of East Asian Cultural Capital, and put forward many valuable suggestions in this regard.

Yang Hong, the vice dean of the College of Foreign Studies, delivered a closing speech. She stressed that as this year marked the 50^th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan, the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Korea, and the 2022 East Asia Cultural Year in Wenzhou, deepening the study of East Asian cultural cities in China, Japan and South Korea came at just the right time.

The forum provided a broader perspective for East Asian cultural research and contributed new wisdom and strength to the development of East Asian culture in the new era.