Drawing roughly 500 renowned experts from around the globe, the 2nd World Conference on China Studies opened in Shanghai on Oct 14, aiming to achieve broader consensus on advancing Sinology and promote ongoing cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world.

Themed "Historical and Contemporary China: A Global Perspective", the conference will feature a series of events, including a main forum, parallel sub-forums, and various supplementary activities aimed at fostering in-depth discussions.

Hosted by State Council Information Office and the Shanghai municipal government, the conference also aims to academically connect historical and contemporary China, facilitate in-depth exchanges on the continuity and innovation of Chinese civilization, and thoroughly explore the cultural implications, experiential insights, and global significance of China's development path.

In his remarks, Gao Xiang, president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, emphasized the universal pursuit of modernization. He highlighted the need for Sinology to play a bigger role by focusing more on the dynamic developments in contemporary China and deepening research on Chinese-style modernization.

"Comparative studies could reveal the global significance of China's development, offering insights into answering the profound question of 'Where is humanity headed?' posed by the world, the times, and history," he said.

Romano Prodi, former prime minister of Italy and former president of the European Commission, said at the event that strategic cooperation remains the cornerstone of China-Europe relations. He advocated for a dynamic balance between pragmatism and strategic trust, which he believes is essential for overcoming differences and jointly creating a stable and prosperous future.

Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng announced a Shanghai initiative for global mutual learning and advancement of China Studies during the opening ceremony, underscoring the city's commitment to fostering dialogue.