Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, attends the second edition of the World Conference on China Studies and delivers a keynote speech in east China's Shanghai, Oct. 14, 2025. The conference got underway here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

SHANGHAI, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- The second edition of the World Conference on China Studies got underway in east China's Shanghai on Tuesday with the theme "Historical and Contemporary China: A Global Perspective."

Approximately 500 renowned experts and scholars from around the world will engage in in-depth discussions on this theme. The conference features various forums, activities and an exhibition focused on urban civilization.

The sub-forums will address topics such as Chinese modernization, China studies in the era of digital intelligence, and the role of youth in the future of China studies, among other subjects.

The conference, organized by the State Council Information Office and the Shanghai municipal government, with co-sponsorship from other government agencies and academic institutions, will also announce an initiative on the development of world China studies and present a recommended bibliography for research in this field. ■

This photo taken on Oct. 14, 2025 shows a scene at the second edition of World Conference on China Studies in east China's Shanghai. The conference got underway here on Tuesday with the theme "Historical and Contemporary China: A Global Perspective."

Approximately 500 renowned experts and scholars from around the world will engage in in-depth discussions on this theme. The conference features various forums, activities and an exhibition focused on urban civilization. (Xinhua/Chen Haoming)

Attendees are pictured during the second edition of World Conference on China Studies in east China's Shanghai, Oct. 14, 2025. The conference got underway here on Tuesday with the theme "Historical and Contemporary China: A Global Perspective."

Approximately 500 renowned experts and scholars from around the world will engage in in-depth discussions on this theme. The conference features various forums, activities and an exhibition focused on urban civilization. (Xinhua/Chen Haoming)

Attendees are pictured during the second edition of World Conference on China Studies in east China's Shanghai, Oct. 14, 2025. The conference got underway here on Tuesday with the theme "Historical and Contemporary China: A Global Perspective."

Approximately 500 renowned experts and scholars from around the world will engage in in-depth discussions on this theme. The conference features various forums, activities and an exhibition focused on urban civilization. (Xinhua/Chen Haoming)

This photo taken on Oct. 14, 2025 shows a scene at the second edition of World Conference on China Studies in east China's Shanghai. The conference got underway here on Tuesday with the theme "Historical and Contemporary China: A Global Perspective."

Approximately 500 renowned experts and scholars from around the world will engage in in-depth discussions on this theme. The conference features various forums, activities and an exhibition focused on urban civilization. (Xinhua/Chen Haoming)