China News Service, Xiamen, September 29 (Wu Guanshi, Li Songqing) In order to deeply explore the historical context of the two-way interaction between Austronesian languages and maritime civilization, and promote academic innovation and international dialogue in related fields, the "Second International Academic Symposium on Austronesian Languages and Maritime Civilization" was held on the 29th at the Xiamen campus of Huaqiao University.
Wu Jianping, President of Huaqiao University, pointed out in his speech that the Austronesian language group is an important research object in the history of human ocean migration and civilization exchange. The study of Austronesian languages must not only trace the historical origins, but also pay attention to migration, communication and cultural development; it requires both multi-disciplinary integration and the participation of the international academic community.
Wu Jianping said that the multi-dimensional, in-depth and three-dimensional academic discussions and exchange of ideas by domestic and foreign authoritative experts at this seminar will enhance the international academic consensus in the field of Austronesian language research and enhance the international influence of China-related research. Huaqiao University will also continue to gather domestic and foreign academic resources to deepen research on Austronesian languages and Chinese maritime civilization, and contribute to promoting exchanges and mutual learning among world civilizations.
Chen Jinming, the lifelong honorary president of UUNZ Business School in New Zealand, pointed out that Maori culture is the cultural root of New Zealand and a valuable asset of Austronesian civilization. It has an intrinsic connection with traditional Chinese culture that is worth exploring. This academic seminar is not only a two-way dialogue between Chinese culture and Maori culture, but also a new practice of cultural exchanges between New Zealand and China, which will promote the two cultures to nourish and empower each other.
At the seminar, experts and scholars conducted in-depth discussions on core topics such as the origin of Austronesian languages, trans-oceanic migration trajectories, cultural transmission paths, exchanges and mutual learning of maritime civilizations, and research on heritage protection from the multi-disciplinary dimensions of archeology, linguistics, communication, political science, history, tourism, and exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.
The opening ceremony of the conference also held the unveiling ceremony of the Maori Cultural Research Center jointly established by Huaqiao University and New Zealand's UUNZ Business School. The two parties will use this as a platform to strengthen joint research, scholar exchanges, youth exchanges and achievement sharing, and further expand exchanges and cooperation with universities and scientific research institutions in the South Pacific region.
