On December 22, the Academic Symposium on Inheritance and Innovation of “Song Dynasty Culture” in the New Era and the Inaugural Ceremony of Henan Institute for Song Dynasty Culture Studies took place at Jinming Campus of HENU. Over 40 renowned scholars from home and abroad were invited to attend, including Huang Yuguo, Executive Deputy Director of Publicity Department of Henan Provincial Committee, Li Gengxiang, President of Henan Provincial Federation of Social Sciences, Lv Bing, Deputy Director of the Department of Education of Henan Province, Professor Li Huarui from Zhejiang University, Professor Zhu Gang, Head of Department of Chinese Language and Literature, Fudan University, and Professor Wang Ruilai from Gakushuin University in Japan. Ji Bo, Secretary of the Party Committee of HENU, Yang Mengya, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of HENU, along with leaders and experts from relevant schools and research institutions, participated in the event.

Firstly, Ji Bo extended a warm welcome to the attending leaders and experts. Then, He provided a brief overview of HENU’s history, current status, and future plans. Meanwhile, he emphasized that the establishment of Henan Institute for Song Dynasty Culture Studies (the Institute) holds significant importance for inheriting and promoting Henan’s outstanding traditional culture and for advancing the development of humanities and social science disciplines at HENU. Moreover, he stressed that HENU will seize this opportunity to fully support and facilitate the Institute’s development, aiming to build it into a key base for promoting and preserving the traditional culture of Central China.

Zhou Liuming read out the Approval from Publicity Department of Henan Provincial Committee under the Communist Party of China on HENU’s Establishment of Henan Institute for Song Dynasty Culture Studies.

Cai Jiandong, head of HENU’s Social Sciences Department, announced the Organizational Structure of Henan Institute for Song Dynasty Culture Studies, and declared the establishment of Strategic Development Committee, Academic Committee, and Executive Agency.

Professor Geng Yuanli outlined its development plan covering construction goals, foundation, content, and operational mechanisms. Researcher Bu Xianqun highlighted Kaifeng’s role as the Northern Song capital and HENU’s academic leadership, urging alignment with national strategies and enhanced scholarly collaboration. Professor Li Huarui emphasized the Institute’s potential to elevate global Song Dynasty research, particularly in political and socio-cultural history, aiming for international excellence. Professor Zhu Gang underscored the Song Dynasty’s legacy in philosophy, economy, and literature. Shao Hua and Huang Yuguo affirmed the Institute’s mission to preserve cultural heritage and advance the creative transformation of traditional Chinese culture.

Following the inaugural ceremony, the Academic Symposium on Inheritance and Innovation of “Song Dynasty Culture” in the New Era was held. During the symposium, Professor Wang Ruilai from Gakushuin University, Bao Weimin, former President of The China Association for Song Dynasty Studies and Professor of Hangzhou City University, and dozens of other scholars and experts offered suggestions for the future development of the Institute and engaged in lively discussions on strengthening Song Dynasty culture research and academic collaboration.