Ge Zhaoguang, First Mainland Chinese Scholar to Win Tang Prize in Sinology, Hopes Sinology Reaches Global Heights [Exclusive Interview]

(Central News Agency reporter Liao Wen-chi, Shanghai, 17th) Ge Zhaoguang, a Chinese historian and professor at Fudan University, has been awarded the 7th Tang Prize in Sinology. As the first scholar from mainland China to receive this honor, Ge affirms that the Tang Prize has brought international attention to Sinology. He believes researchers in the field carry the responsibility of engaging in dialogue with the world and hopes Sinology will rise to greater global prominence in the future.

Reflecting on his award, Ge humbly stated, 'In literature there is no first place; in martial arts there is no second,' noting that many scholars are equally deserving. He expressed surprise, humility, and gratitude at being selected. Shortly after learning of his award, he was informed of the passing of Tang Prize founder Yen Yun-liang, who was the same age as him, which added a sense of sorrow.

For Ge, Sinology is more than a profession or aspiration—it is so profound that even the term 'vocation' feels insufficient. He describes it as 'rebirth.'

Born in China, Ge did not attend school for 12 years after graduating middle school in 1966 due to the Cultural Revolution. It was not until 1978, at age 28, that he entered Peking University. 'Sinology was not just a career for me,' he said. 'More importantly, it gave me a new future—a chance at rebirth.'

The Chinese literary and historical tradition, as he sees it, is not merely a collection of historical records or documents. 'In reality, I see a very complex history—glorious and humiliating, filled with real people and living history.'

Like many scholars who began Sinological research in the 1980s, Ge carries personal experiences, ideals, and a deep sense of connection to traditional China. 'To put it grandly, we also bear the responsibility of dialoguing with the world,' he said.

Ge points out that Sinological research conducted within China differs from that done abroad. Scholars in China benefit not only from access to the richest and most abundant resources but also from a deeply personal concern for Chinese issues. 'They are not viewing from afar; they are within the mountain,' he explained.

He once wrote a commentary on Wang Gungwu, the fourth Tang Prize laureate in Sinology, discussing the clear distinction between 'those within the mountain' and 'those outside.' Scholars within China bring real-world concerns, anxieties, and care for contemporary China into their historical studies, though they may also suffer from the 'inability to see the whole picture when inside the mountain.' Thus, external perspectives are essential.

For example, Wang Gungwu, observing China from Southeast Asia, sees aspects that scholars within China may overlook. However, Ge also notes that overseas scholars may 'objectify' China, turning it into an 'other'—a text to be analyzed—thereby lacking the same immediacy of concern.

Ge believes mainland Chinese and overseas scholars are 'complementary.' He hopes that scholars from mainland China will take on the most essential part of Sinology, 'because this is your country.'

He also praises the Tang Prize for elevating international attention to Sinology. 'China is one, but the methods, approaches, and forms of studying China can be many,' he emphasized. The previous six Tang Prize laureates in Sinology came from the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan, and elsewhere, contributing to a more international and diverse field of Chinese studies.

He hopes Sinology will become a globally recognized discipline, engaging in dialogue with Indology, Persian studies, Egyptology, and Japanese studies. 'I hope the Tang Prize not only promotes Sinology in mainland China but also advances it across a broader global scope, elevating it to a high level of scholarship with worldwide significance,' he said.

When asked to encourage younger historians, Ge joked that he is reluctant to act as a mentor to youth. Instead, he quoted three sayings from Hu Shi.

The first: 'In scholarship, raise doubts where there are none'—a crucial starting point for research. The second: 'Show me the evidence'—a principle Hu Shi emphasized as essential. The third: 'When you speak, remember the social impact of your words; with every step you take, remember the responsibility it carries to society.' This, he explained, is the 'greater self'—the responsibility inherent in scholarship. (Editor: Chiu Kuo-chiang)