Tang Prize in Sinology Awarded to Fudan University Professor Ge Zhaoguang

Professor Ge Zhaoguang from Fudan University has been honored with the 7th Tang Prize in Sinology. The Tang Prize Foundation lauded his insightful contributions to ancient Chinese thought, from his early work on Zen Buddhism, Taoism, and the history of philosophical thought to his more recent series of discussions on "What is China?"

Ge Zhaoguang's academic influence extends globally, inspiring scholars within China and across the international Chinese studies community, including in Japan, Korea, North America, and Europe. The Tang Prize, established in 2012 by Yin$(\text{Yin})$ Liang, awards five million US dollars in each of its four categories: Sustainable Development, Biopharmaceutical Science, Sinology, and Rule of Law. Winners are selected every two years by independent committees, irrespective of race, nationality, or gender, for their substantial and impactful contributions to the world.

Born in 1950, Ge Zhaoguang's experiences during the Cultural Revolution, including his time in Guizhou, profoundly shaped his academic focus on grassroots societies and marginalized ethnic groups. He has held positions at Yangzhou Normal College and Tsinghua University before his current role as a senior professor at Fudan University's Institute of Chinese Culture and History and Department of History. His extensive research covers diverse fields such as Chinese intellectual history, religious history, classical literature, and textual studies, with his contributions to intellectual history particularly acclaimed.

Ge Zhaoguang advocates for a shift in intellectual history writing, moving from "center" to "periphery," from "classics" to the "general," and from "elite thought" to "common people's concepts." More recently, he has explored the historical discourse of "China" by adopting a "view from the periphery" methodology. This approach re-examines China's complex relationships with its surrounding regions and countries, clarifying the historical evolution and diverse meanings of the concept of "China." His research on religion, including Buddhism, Taoism, and folk religions, offers a unique perspective, examining how early Taoism adapted to political norms and Buddhist influence, thereby enriching the understanding of Chinese thought.

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This is an expression of the internationalization and diversification of Chinese studies, and through the Tang Prize, Chinese studies are being promoted to the world.