ITHC Director Shares Insights at the 5th Sport Economy and Management Forum
ITHC Director Professor Xu Guoqi Shares Insights at the 5th Sport Economy and Management Forum Professor Xu Guoqi, Director of ITHC, was recently invited to serve as a keynote speaker at the 5th Sport Economy and Management Forum, organized by the China Management Science Society at Beijing Sport University. During the forum, Professor Xu contributed to the interdisciplinary “Dialogue and Discussion of the Marathon Session,” engaging in thought-provoking exchanges with experts across diverse fields. His participation highlighted the vital intersections between sports, history, economy, and society — an area of growing relevance in transnational and global studies.
Professor Paul Evans’ Impactful Visit and Insights on Fairbank’s Legacy
Professor Paul Evans’ Impactful Visit and Insights on Fairbank’s Legacy We were honored to host Professor Paul Evans, Professor Emeritus at the University of British Columbia, for a two-week visit in early April at the Institute of Transnational History of China. Throughout his stay, Professor Evans engaged deeply with our academic community, sharing his expertise through two public lectures: “Fairbank the Historian: Dimensions and Dictums” and “History and Historians in Shaping US–China Relations: Lessons from Fairbank’s Era for Our Own.” Beyond the lectures, Professor Evans thoughtfully organized and chaired a roundtable workshop titled “Fairbank in China Now: Contemporary Academic and Policy Legacies.” The session brought together scholars from Canada, Mainland China, and Hong Kong for vibrant, forward-looking discussions. His genuine interest in mentoring early-career researchers, along with his generous and engaging conversations with our postgraduate students, left a lasting impression on our academic community. More photographs available here.
Reflecting on Professor Ma Min’s Inspiring Visit at ITHC
Reflecting on Professor Ma Min’s Inspiring Visit at ITHC We are profoundly grateful to have hosted Professor Ma Min (馬敏教授), Distinguished Professor from Central China Normal University, for a month-long visit at the Institute of Transnational History of China this March 2026. Professor Ma’s visit was an intellectual feast. We were honored to host his three captivating public lectures, which offered a compelling comparative and transnational perspective on the cultural, social, and material transformations in modern China. He examined Joshua Marshman’s Bible translation, analyzed how chambers of commerce contributed to the emergence of civil society in the late Qing era, and explored how major expositions reshaped China’s material culture and modern identity. Beyond these public lectures, Professor Ma generously engaged in deep, meaningful exchanges with scholars and students from HKU and other institutions, sharing his insights and fostering vibrant academic dialogue. Professor Ma will return for another one-month visit in 2027. We eagerly await the next opportunity to learn from his profound scholarship. More photographs available here.
“The Idea of China” presented in the “Author Meets Critics” session at the AAS Annual Conference 2026
“The Idea of China” presented in the “Author Meets Critics” session at the AAS Annual Conference 2026 ITHC Director, Professor Xu Guoqi’s new book, “The Idea of China: A Contested History” (Harvard University Press), was featured in the “Author Meets Critics” session at the Association for Asian Studies 2026 Annual Conference. On March 14, 2026, the session attracted a large and engaged audience at the Vancouver Convention Centre for a rich and thought-provoking discussion. A huge thank you to our panelists: Professor Chen Jian (NYU Shanghai) Professor George Qiao (Amherst College) Professor James Millward (Georgetown University) Professor Macabe Keliher (Southern Methodist University) And to everyone in the audience who made the conversation so meaningful and inspiring!
World-Renowned Historian Akira Iriye Passes Away
World-Renowned Historian Akira Iriye Passes Away (In Chinese only) 國際著名歷史學家入江昭先生逝世 香港大學歷史系教授徐國琦 2026年1月27日著名歷史學家入江昭(Akira Iriye)教授在美國費城附近的一個養老院去世，享年91歲。入江先生1934年10月20日在日本東京出生。高中畢業後即到美國讀大學並於 1961獲得哈佛大學歷史博士學位。師從歐內斯特·梅(Ernest R. May)和費正清(John K. Fairbank)教授。1969年開始在芝加哥大學任教，20年後應邀回到哈佛大學歷史系執掌教席，直到2005年退休。 入江教授的第一本學術著作《帝國主義之後》（After Imperialism: The Search for a New World Order in the Far East ，1921-1931）是在其博士論文基礎上修改而成，並於1965年由哈佛大學出版社出版。該書不僅填補了當時美國外交史上研究1921-1931年東亞關系方面的巨大真空地帶，更是不同凡響地從廣闊的國際視野透視美國、蘇聯、日本、中國在東亞局勢發展中的交替角逐、相互制約的覆雜關系。1967年出版第二部專著，書名為《跨越太平洋》（Across the Pacific: An Inner History of American-East Asian Relations）。在此書中，入江師走出傳統外交史的局限，另辟蹊徑，著重從思想、文化、情感、心理等層面解讀美國立國到1960年代以來與中國和日本的交往和多種關系。這是入江師從文化角度研究國際關系和國際秩序的重要嘗試。費正清為其撰寫一篇長序，高度讚揚該書。費正清寫到，這是一部不同凡響的著作。無人能比入江昭能夠更好從文化角度研究三國之間剪不斷、理還亂的覆雜歷史。1972年和1977年又分別出版了兩本英文著作。一本為《結怨太平洋》（Pacific Estrangement： Japanese and American Expansion, 1897-1911）。另一本為《從民族主義到國際主義》（From Nationalism to Internationalism: US. Foreign Policy to 1914）。1981年出版《權力與文化》（Power and Culture: The Japanese-American War, 1941-1945）一書，該書可以說代表他學術原創研究的巔峰。在本書中，入江師從文化角度解讀1941-1945年間的美-日之間的你死我活的戰爭。該書認為，一反傳統史學有關太平洋戰爭的觀點，入江師從文化與權力雙方面的角逐，提出美日大戰與其說是權力之爭，不如說是兩國之間的國際秩序之爭。該書入圍普立茲歷史著作獎。1987年入江師出版了《第二次世界大戰在亞太地區的起源》（The Origins of the Second World War in Asia and the Pacific）, 在前一書的基礎上，試圖進一步回答日本為什麽要對美一戰。入江師認為，日本政府由於錯誤的認知和政策失誤最終導致日本走向戰爭的不歸路。 大致而言，從1960年代到1990年代初期，入江師的著作側重美國外交、美國與東亞關系，美國與日本、日本與中國的關系等領域。太平洋地區為其研究中心，以國家而言，主要集中美國、中國和日本三國。1990年代中後期迄今，則研究範圍一舉轉移至全世界，分析國際組織、國際文化在歷史中的作用和影響。例如，1997年在約翰霍普金斯大學出版社出版的《文化國際主義與世界秩序》（Cultural Internationalism and World Order）。在2002年，入江師出版《全球共同體》（Global Community: the Role of International Organizations in the Making of the Contemporary World )。這些著作的相繼問世，奠定了入江師的國際史、跨國史大師的地位，在1990年代開始一躍成為國際史、跨國史的領軍人物、領袖和旗手。2013年他出版《全球史與跨國史：過去，現在和未來》(Global and Transnational History: the Past, Present, and Future)。該書是國際史和跨國史大師的指點迷津之作。從大師的法眼及親身學術歷程出發，解讀國際史、跨國史的發展脈絡和路徑。2022年春出版《文化視野下的國際關系史》（International History: a Cultural Approach） (與Petra Goedde合作撰寫) 。這是一本從文化和國際史角度所寫的近現代國際關系史。本書一反傳統外交史寫法，超越國家、大國博弈、外交和沖突等視角，改以各國人民及其文化為主線，集中探討的主題涉及跨文化交流、人口移動和移民、國際消費文化及青年文化、環境問題、經貿和技術全球化、民族主義和國際主義等。 入江師還主編了大量的國際史著作，利用自己的巨大學術影響力，召集一批著名學者為國際史搖旗吶喊，從各個角度闡述全球史的意境。例如入江師與德國著名歷史學家 Jürgen Osterhammel 為哈佛大學出版社共同主編六卷本世界史。從國際史和跨國史角度解讀各種重要課題。此外，還與Rana Mitter 教授聯合主編the Palgrave Macmillan跨國史叢書。該叢書自2006問世以來，出版了不少優秀著作。入江師還與 Pierre-Yves Saunier聯手親自主編《跨國史大全》（The Palgrave Dictionary of Transnational History: From the mid-19th Century to the Present Day），該書多達1200多頁。入江師主編的這些大型跨國史、國際史叢書不僅為跨國史、國際史研究帶來巨大的影響，更為該學科的未來發展具有指點迷津和指點江山之功能。 入江師的巨大學術貢獻得到國際同行高度承認。1978年在其僅僅44歲時即當選美國外交史學者學會會長一職。1982年當選美國人文及科學院院士。1988年，入江師榮任美國歷史學會主席。2001年榮獲美國Kalamazoo College 榮譽博士，2005 獲頒天皇瑞寶重光勳章，2013年榮獲日本國籍交流基金大獎，2024年 榮獲日本中央大學榮譽博士學位等。他的學術研究和視野大致可歸結為“兩個轉向”。其一是“文化轉向”（cultural turn），其二是“跨國轉向” (transnational turn)。在他的早期著作中，雖然也強調國際視野，但更大的貢獻在於把文化因素和元素帶入歷史研究。但後期的著作則屬於跨國史，強調國際史和跨國史的重要性。入江師雖跨鶴而去，但他開創的跨國史研究必將進一步發揚光大，嘉惠國際學術。
Warmly Welcome Local Scholars to ITHC
Warmly Welcome Local Scholars to ITHC On January 27, 2026, we were delighted to welcome esteemed scholars from local’s academic community to visit the Institute of Transnational History of China (ITHC). Professor Xu Guoqi, Director of ITHC, led a productive discussion on potential research collaborations with Professor Yang Bin (City University of Hong Kong), Professor Du Chunmei (Lingnan University), Professor Li Ji (The University of Hong Kong), and Professor Li Yiwen (City University of Hong Kong). The discussion facilitated meaningful academic exchanges, and we look forward to future partnerships in advancing transnational historical research.
Envisioning 2026 Together
Envisioning 2026 Together December 31, 2025 Dear Friends, As we welcome 2026, I write to express our deepest gratitude for your steadfast support during the inaugural year of the Institute of Transnational History of China (ITHC) following our establishment in December 2024. The global academic community’s intellectual contributions, our university colleagues’ collaboration, and students’ enthusiastic participation have been vital in advancing our mission to reshape transnational historical scholarship. Your collective efforts have transformed ITHC into a dynamic platform for cross-border dialogue. The past year witnessed significant milestones, beginning with our establishment in the Run Run Shaw Heritage House as our inaugural headquarters, followed by the launch of our official website and social media presence on Facebook and X, and the formation of our International Advisory Board and Executive Committee. We also successfully organized several new initiatives, including the inaugural International Symposium on Transnational History of China, featuring speakers from ten countries/regions, four guest lectures/workshops under the ITHC Guest Lecture Series, and the sponsorship of four young scholars through our Visiting Scholars Scheme to conduct research at ITHC. Looking ahead to 2026, ITHC will expand its initiatives by hosting three distinguished scholars: Professor Paul Evans (University of British Columbia), Professor Ma Min (Central China Normal University), and Professor Dr. Dominic Sachsenmaier (University of Göttingen) for two-to-four-week visits during March and April. During their residencies, these scholars will conduct cutting-edge research while participating in various activities to foster intellectual exchange with our faculty and students. In April, we will host a specialized workshop for young scholars from Europe, North America, Russia and Ukraine, focusing on Chinese migration, particularly Chinese workers in Russia during the Great War. The first half of the year will feature two book launches showcasing new ITHC publications, while the second half is expected to see the publication of our inaugural Edited Volume Series. Concurrently, we will collaborate with HKU and partner institution researchers to explore new research funding opportunities to enhance and expand our transnational historical research initiatives. This is a first research institute in the world devoted to study of transnational history of China. Its success depends on support from the institute’s friends. We warmly invite you to help sustain this momentum through financial contributions to support the Institute or by donating historical materials to enrich our archives. For details about making a financial donation, please visit the link here. For either type of donation, please contact the ITHC General Office using the contact information provided at this link to share your ideas. Your support is crucial in helping us build a world-class research institute in transnational history. We look forward to exploring collaborative opportunities with you in the coming year. May I take this opportunity to wish you a healthy and productive 2026! Sincerely yours, Professor Xu Guoqi David H Y Chang Professor in Chinese History Founding Director, Institute of Transnational History of China
ITHC Mourns the Tai Po Fire Victims
ITHC Mourns the Tai Po Fire Victims The Institute stands in solemn solidarity with our community following the devastating fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Our hearts ache for those who lost loved ones, and we offer our most sincere sympathies to grieving families, the injured, and all impacted by this unimaginable tragedy.
ITHC Director Named David H Y Chang Professor in Chinese History
ITHC Director Named David H Y Chang Professor in Chinese History Professor Xu Guoqi, Founding Director of ITHC, has been named the recipient of the David H Y Chang Professorship in Chinese History. Established through a generous gift from Mr. David H Y Chang, Founder of the Tigillus Foundation, this prestigious endowed professorship recognizes distinguished scholars who have made substantial contributions to research and teaching in Chinese history. The Endowed Professorship Presentation Ceremony took place on February 28, 2025, followed by the Inaugural Ceremony on November 28, 2025. As we reflect on the Institute’s first year since its establishment in December 2024, we deeply appreciate Mr. David H Y Chang’s significant contribution, which greatly supports our ongoing research in the transnational history of China. For more details about this Endowed Professorship, please visit the Tigillus Foundation’s website.
ITHC Director’s Latest Chinese- and English-language Monographs
ITHC Director’s Latest Chinese- and English-language Monographs We are thrilled to announce two groundbreaking publications by Professor Xu Guoqi, the David H Y Chang Professor in Chinese History and the Founding Director of ITHC, coming soon! “The Idea of China: A Contested History” (Harvard University Press) Pre-order now on Amazon. Mark your calendars: An Author-Meets-Critics Panel will be held at the 2026 AAS Annual Conference. Stay tuned for the schedule on the AAS Conference Website! “体育作为方法: 换一个角度看中国文明传统 (Sports as Method: An Alternative Approach to Study Chinese Tradition and Civilization)” (Sichuan People’s Press) Learn more via this article. Join us in celebrating Professor Xu’s scholarly contributions! Read More