Expert Interview from the Tang Xianzu Academic Symposium (III) | Wu Fengchu: Bringing “Tang Studies” Culture to the World

“I have attended the Tang Xianzu Academic Symposium no fewer than ten times, but I believe the most influential has been the series held in Fuzhou since 2016—each session has left me profoundly moved,” said Wu Fengchu, director of the Fuzhou Tang Xianzu International Research Center, in an interview on the morning of November 11, shortly after concluding his participation in the symposium.

Reflecting on the evolution of the annual Tang Xianzu Academic Symposia, Wu Fengchu observes that research on “Tang Studies” has become more comprehensive, in-depth, and widely accessible. The pool of participants has grown steadily, extending from China to the United States, Japan, and South Korea, while its influence continues to expand. From the study of Tang Xianzu’s scholarship to the dissemination of his cultural legacy, Tang Xianzu’s cultural heritage has thus moved from the domestic sphere onto the global stage.

“This year’s Tang Xianzu Academic Symposium has been nothing short of a series of highlights,” said Wu Fengchu. The symposium was broadcast live both online and offline, and in response to digital‑era demands, a digital platform for Tang Xianzu scholarship was launched. In addition, an awards program recognizing outstanding works on Tang Xianzu will be introduced, helping to bring the culture of “Tang Studies” more effectively to the global stage. Wu Fengchu emphasized that fostering the flourishing of Tang Studies requires strengthening the cultural brand of “Tang Studies” and continuously promoting Tang Xianzu’s legacy across China and around the world.

(Reporter Li Jiang)