Recently, the National Office for Philosophy and Social Sciences announced the list of projects approved for the 2023–2024 Chinese Academic Translation Program under the National Social Science Fund. The School of Foreign Languages at South China University of Technology secured funding for two projects: Associate Professor Zhan Shuangjuan was approved for a key project, and Professor Su Ping was approved for a general project. Notably, this marks the university's first time being granted a key project in this program.
Guided by the university's social sciences administration, the school has placed great emphasis on the application process for the National Social Science Fund's translation projects. It has actively promoted organized research and project applications, aiming to enhance academic international influence, effectively communicate China's stories, and strengthen the nation's cultural soft power.
It is reported that a total of 257 projects were selected for the Chinese Academic Translation Program this year, with only 17 classified as key projects. The program primarily funds academic works that represent China's scholarly standards, embody the essence of Chinese culture, and reflect the forefront of Chinese academic research. The results of these projects will be published in foreign languages by authoritative overseas publishing institutions and distributed through mainstream international channels. The program aims to leverage the exemplary role of the National Social Science Fund, deepen academic exchanges and dialogues between China and other countries, and promote mutual learning among civilizations.
Link: Introduction to the Approved Projects
Associate Professor Zhan Shuangjuan from the School of Foreign Languages applied for and was approved for the key project Sixteen Lectures on Chinese History. The original work provides a thematic overview of the historical and cultural elements, including politics and economics, from prehistoric times to the early Qing Dynasty. It elaborates in detail on the origins of Chinese civilization, the evolution of ancient Chinese political systems, the significant role of technological and cultural exchanges in the formation of the Chinese nation, the historical processes and significance of ethnic integration, and the dialectical relationship between war and peace in history. The translation and publication of this work will further enhance the international influence of China's ancient historical and cultural traditions and values, enrich the Chinese voice in the study of Chinese history on the global academic stage, and provide a model example for constructing an international discourse system in Chinese historical research.
Professor Su Ping from the School of Foreign Languages applied for and was approved for the general project The Eternal Family: Traditional Inertia and Social Integration. The original work, based on field research across different ethnic groups and regions in China, presents to readers the traditions and continuity of family culture, the social integration of families and their surrounding communities, as well as the intrinsic characteristics and operational mechanisms of families and ethnic groups. It incorporates comparative perspectives such as diachronic and synchronic analyses, harmony in diversity, and cultural consciousness, rethinking the continuity of culture and society and the methodological significance of anthropological research in China across different temporal and spatial contexts. The original work reflects a Chinese perspective and voice in anthropological research. Its translation and publication will contribute to enhancing global understanding and recognition of Chinese society and culture.
