Bulletin Summer 1976

As long as they are true scholars well versed in Chinese and their approach is really scientific, their research efforts will never fail to contribute to the deeper understanding of Chinese culture and to interflow between east and west. Moreover, we must not allow ourselves to regard all traditional approaches as unscientific, and to look down on them is the last thing we should do. Knowledge of foreign languages is an asset, but it does not follow that research findings have to be published in a foreign language. It would be erroneous to think that articles in foreign languages are necessarily superior to those published in Chinese. What determines the language of publication (in our case either Chinese or English) should be: for whom the article is written and where it is to appear. If it is for publication in overseas English academic journals, we have no alternative bu t to use English ； however, an article aimed at foreign scholars may be in either Chinese or English because those who are capable of understanding such specialized studies in Chinese culture must be able to read Chinese. Moreover, a Chinese article is likely to be read by more since a quarter of mankind is Chinese. To us at the ICS, Chinese or English makes little difference. We include articles in both languages in our Journal Authors may use the language they are more conversant with, but a summary in the other language must be appended. Q. You have taugh t and done research at American universities for many years. Wha t is, in your opinion, the main difference between this University and oversea s universities in the field of Chinese studies? A. In the field of Chinese studies, this University does differ from overseas institutions in various respects: (i) Owing to its proximity to mainland China, our University may hav e more up-to-date first-hand material and publications. (ii) On the other hand, foreigners have an advantage over us in the study of certain aspects of Chinese culture such as diplomatic history because they have better access to foreign material. (iii) Scientific and objective methodology is common to all good scholars, irrespective of nationality. However, there is a little difference in approach between Chinese and western scholars, the former tend to use more the Chinese traditional methods while the latter tend to use more western methodology, (iv) Chinese studies by western scholars in the past were done for practical interests and were therefore mainly on the contemporary period, especially the period afte r the Opium War. This trend has changed in recent years: they begin to feel that the study of history should be more comprehensive, and the scope of study has thu s been widened. (V) Finally, in the study of Chinese relations with the west, overseas scholars tend to use more foreign material while Chinese scholars use mor e Chinese material. Q. How do you find the Journal of the Institute of Chinese Studies, as compare d with academic journals of other universities? A. It is not possible to make a generalized evaluation as the standard of the articles varies.