On July 26, 2013, over 60 participants in the 2013 In-Service Training Workshop for Foreign Directors of Confucius Institutes visited the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences (SASS). Wang Zhan, president of SASS, delivered a welcome speech to the guests, during which he highlighted the strength of SASS as a research institution and a think tank, and its significant contribution to the development of Shanghai into a global economic, financial, trade and shipping center. He introduced in particular the SASS Institute of China Studies, emphasizing the common objectives it shares with its counterparts, both home and abroad, in promoting greater understanding of the ancient Chinese civilization and the development experience of contemporary China.

Professor Zhang Weiwei, director of the SASS Institute of China Studies, made a highly appreciated presentation on the need to develop China’s own discourse system in the global context. This event was co-organized by the SASS Institute of China Studies and the International Study Center for Chinese Civilization at Fudan University. It was chaired by Li Yihai, director of the Office of International Cooperation, SASS, and attended by all the staff of the SASS Institute of China Studies. The In-Service Training Workshop for Foreign Directors of Confucius Institutes was sponsored by Hanban (Confucius Institute Headquarters) and organized by Fudan University.