On September 7, the 2025 Annual Conference of Henan Provincial University Alliance for Area Studies and the Exchange Forum on “Area Studies Empowering Disciplinary Development and Think Tank Construction” took place at Henan University (HENU). WANG Huaxing, Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange, Education Department of Henan Province, and Vice President and Secretary-General of Henan Education Association for International Exchange, BAI Ying, Vice President of HENU, and over 30 representatives from various higher education institutions in the province attended the conference.

WANG Huaxing emphasized the significant importance of advancing area studies amid the current international context. She called for member institutions to enhance understanding, strengthen collaboration, and integrate talent cultivation with think tank development to achieve new outcomes. In her address, BAI Ying noted that HENU’s Institute of Area Studies has evolved into an interdisciplinary research platform and high-level think tank integrating academic research, talent development, and international exchange. She urged all alliance members to deeply explore area studies to contribute to Henan’s high-level opening up. QI Chenyun, Dean of the School of History and Culture at HENU, described area studies as a “dynamic and applied discipline” that serves national strategies and promotes regional development. HU Hao, Secretary-General of the alliance, delivered a report on behalf of the secretariat and outlined future plans.

The keynote session was presided over by LI Heng, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Historical Science. Presentations were delivered by SUN Jianjian, Director of the Institute of Area Studies at HENU; GAO Xiaoling, Dean of the School of International Studies at Zhengzhou University; WEI Zhijiang, Professor at the School of History and Culture of HENU; and LIU Guobing, Executive Dean of the Institute of Area Studies at Henan Normal University, who explored issues in area studies from diverse perspectives. Subsequently, HU Hao presided over an exchange forum on disciplinary development and think tank construction, where representatives from institutions including the Institute of ASEAN Studies at Zhengzhou University and the School of History and Culture at Henan Normal University shared insights. During the afternoon thematic seminar, experts and scholars delivered remarks on issues related to area studies.

The conference served as a major catalyst for the alliance, significantly promoting inter-institutional communication and cooperation. This has been crucial in building a unified collaborative community for area studies throughout Henan’s higher education system.