The third Visiting Program for Young Sinologists kicks off

The 2015 Visiting Program for Young Sinologists kicks off in Beijing on July 6, 2015. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The 2015 Visiting Program for Young Sinologists kicked off with an official opening ceremony at Traders Hotel Beijing on Monday.

Thirty-six Sinologists from 30 countries, including the US, Russia, France and India, will conduct research and study in several Chinese institutes. They'll cover topics ranging from Chinese literature, language study and the Chinese economy to the Belt and Road Initiative in the program that begins today and ends July 24.

Hosted by the China Ministry of Culture (CMC) and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the program last year hosted 56 young Sinologists from over 40 countries who carried out studies in its first two sessions.

"We launched this program last year to provide a platform for young Sinologists from different countries to see China in person and meet Chinese scholars in the same areas," said Wang Tie, a CMC officer. "Although the program is not long, we have arranged some of the most well-known Chinese experts to give lectures and seminars. I hope everyone will make full use of the next two weeks."

"I am lucky to join this program again," said Yernar Zharkeshov from Kazakhstan, head of the Search Team of Regional Hub and Civil Service in Astana, and also one of two Sinologists who participated in last year's program.

"Our study is mutual. It is important for China to know other people's views and opinions of China. The program will help Sinologists in other countries to better present China's development,” he said. ”We want to know what challenges are facing China, and how the government is responding to the challenges. For me, I want to know more about China's experience in public administration and the civil servant system."

Claudia Zuniga from Peru described the importance of promoting China studies to a bigger audience with a Chinese saying quoted by Chinese president Xi Jinping during the 2013 Boao Forum, "A single flower does not make a spring."

"I was very interested in Chinese culture and tradition when I was young," she added. "I want to know more in this program and bring what I learn back to my hometown," she added.

"I am very proud to be a disseminator of Chinese culture," said Jaeung Yum from South Korea, "In today's world, you can't understand the world's politics without studying Chinese politics, and you can't understand the world's economy without studying the Chinese economy. And I think that, it won't be long before you can't understand the world's culture without Chinese culture."