The sixth session of the online academic series co-launched by Peking University (PKU), Freie Universität Berlin (FUB) and the University of Tübingen (UT) on area studies was held on May 6, 2022.

Gunter Schubert, a professor of Greater China Studies, UT; Lee You Jae, a professor of Korean Studies, UT; and Zhai Kun, deputy director of the Institute of Area Studies, PKU, made keynote presentations. The online session was moderated by Sabrina Habich-Sobiegalla, a professor from the Institute of Chinese Studies, FUB.

On the theme of “Area studies at the Institute of Asian and Oriental Studies (AOI),” Prof. Gunter Schubert began his presentation by introducing four models of area studies pursued in Germany. As for the AOI at UT, he then shared with the audience its history, the German tradition of area studies on the knowledge of the past, and the “federal” structure of its departments, professorships, programs, research subjects, limitations and strengths. Prof. Gunter Schubert expressed his view that for AOI, federalism is a flexible structure that can link different research initiatives and university units. In respect to the PKU-UT-FUB Triple Alliance, he suggested the scope of academic inquiry should be expanded and a change of perspective on questions of common concern be institutionalized. He said that the mission of the Alliance was to foster more exchange between the West and China despite all the difficulties.

Prof. Zhai Kun gave a presentation titled “Research for Practice: A Tradition for Southeast Asian Studies in China” in which he reviewed the development of Southeast Asian Studies in China for the past 30 years. He pointed out that Southeast Asian studies in China covers almost all dimensions, and the research is done for practical use, which is mainly to satisfy China’s strategic needs. Meanwhile, in the past two decades, driven by national-level policies, initiatives, and projects, the status of Southeast Asia studies has been continuously improved. However, as Prof. Zhai also noted, challenges for Southeast Asia studies in China still exist, for example, the gap between supply and demand, the imbalance between academic and practical research and many sensitive issues in China as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.

After the keynote presentations, the speakers answered the questions from the audience members.