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Nation

Vice-premier praises Sinology's global role

[2014-09-09 08:17]

Vice-Premier Liu Yandong has hailed Sinology as the "window for the world" to better understand China, while expressing her wishes for the age-old academic study to evolve with more exchanges and diversified approaches.

Timeline

[2014-09-09 08:17]

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Sound bites

[2014-09-09 08:17]

"China has shown great developing potential, which might have scared some countries due to the lack of mutual understanding. So it's a big mission and my work is for foreigners (to better understand China)."

Summit helps nation reach out to the world

[2014-09-09 08:17]

Nothing pleases Chen Yulu, president of Renmin University of China, more than witnessing the spirited academic debate that takes place at the World Conference on Sinology.

Youthful audience warms to studies

[2014-09-09 08:17]

Students are increasingly being drawn to Sinology to rediscover Chinese culture.

Reunion Moon

[2014-09-08 07:26]

For millions of Chinese around the world, Mid-Autumn Festival is the second most important traditional festival after the Chinese New Year. Falling on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month of the Chinese calendar, which is usually in September or early October, the festival gets its name because it marks the mid-point of the autumn season. Chinese people have been celebrating this festival at least since Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907). It is a joyful occasion as the big, bright full moon on this festive day is seen as a symbol of family reunion. Therefore the day is also known as "Reunion Day". Moon cakes are regarded as an indispensable delicacy for the Mid-Autumn Festival. A baked food with various fillings and different artistic patterns on the surface, they are usually round, as the Chinese word for "round" has a similar pronunciation to the words for "reunion" and "perfect". Moon cakes are traditionally given as gifts to relatives and friends as they represent good wishes. People also present them to the moon as offerings and pray to the Chinese moon goddess for a child, a happy marriage or a bumper harvest next year. Besides moon cakes, Mid-Autumn Festival features other traditional folk customs including playing with lanterns and watching tidal bores. In 2008, Mid-Autumn Festival became a public holiday in the country, and it is a popular time for weddings and sight-seeing.