China holds Int'l Congress of Historical Sciences

JINAN, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- The 22nd International Congress of Historical Sciences (ICHS) opened in Jinan of east China's Shandong Province on Sunday, marking the first time the congress has been held in Asia.

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to the conference. Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong attended the opening ceremony on Sunday afternoon.

The International Congress of Historical Sciences, known as the most influential academic activity of historical sciences, enjoys a reputation as the "Olympics of Historical Sciences".

It has been held 21 times every five years since 1900, except during the World War I and World War II.

Jointly organized by the Association of Chinese Historians and Shandong University, the 22nd ICHS attracted approximately 2,600 historians with about 900 international scholars.

"Valuing history, studying history and learning from history can give mankind needed wisdom to understand the past, make the best of the present and look forward to the future," Xi said in the congratulatory message.

The Congress includes 4 major themes, namely "China from Global Perspectives", "Historicizing Emotions", "Revolutions in World History: Comparisons and Connections" and "Digital Turn in History".

"Studying China's past may offer an important angle to look at China today. One can hardly understand today's China, its society, the aspirations and dreams of its people, and the path of development they have chosen, if he has little knowledge about China's history, culture, and those in modern times in particular," Xi said.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong said at the opening ceremony that the congress would be "a very significant event in the development of international historical sciences and will contribute greatly to the communication and mutual understanding among different civilizations" .

Eighteen of the twenty-one previous ICHS were held in Europe.

Robert Frank, Secretary General of the ICHS, said that the first conference in Asia will help breaking away from the eurocentrism in historical studies, and creating a new angle for historical sciences.

Jinan was voted to be the host city of the 22nd ICHS in 2010.

A total of 170 academic activities including specialized theme discussions, joint sessions, round tables, evening discussions, and a session for post-graduate and PHD students will be held during the seven-day meeting.