From the Director

Founded in the tide of China's reform and opening-up policy, the Institute of European Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (IES of CASS) has been serving China for peace, development, reform, and construction. The institute has made remarkable achievements in knowledge accumulation, capacity building, research and innovation, and international exchanges. Ten years ago, in a speech congratulating the 20^th anniversary of IES, I discussed the “zeitgeist” (the spirit of our age) relevant to European studies in China, which, I find, is still applicable to the situation today: .

Our age is one of development, one that requires knowledge and calls for genuine knowledge. The IES has grown rapidly responding to such demand, together with the emergence and development of other European studies institutions nationwide. Each year there are numerous papers and books published, with increasing abundance of knowledge of Europe made available to readers. In this age of development, only those who persevere in pursuing genuine knowledge are able to seize opportunities for further development.

Our age is also one of social transformation and moral reconstruction. In this age, those who put the emphasis on research quality, and those who are sufficiently detail-oriented and duty-conscientious can find a foothold in the new world. This is true of every profession, and it is especially true of the academia including the European studies community.

Moreover, our age is one that is continuously opening and ever more integrated. As new ideas and approaches swarm in, and as new tools and techniques are adopted, the limitations imposed by traditional barriers are evaporating. IES should open its doors for acquisition of talents, ideas and innovations. In this age, those who can reallocate resources more rationally can seize opportunities for more rapid development.

The previous achievements of IES have been made possible by the researchers of older generations with their devotion and hard work. The future of IES depends on the hard work and devotion made by the young and energetic colleagues. Let us unite to work toward a higher stage of European studies in China!

(Zhou Hong, Director of the Institute of European Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences)