On June 1, 2023, the preparatory discussion on the Research Center for Shipbuilding and Maritime History was held at the meeting room of the Faculty of History of Nankai University. Liu Jiangyuan, Director of the Fujian Shipbuilding Cultural Management Committee; Chen Yue, President of Fuzhou Shipbuilding Cultural Research Association; Lin Xiao, Head of the Cultural Relics Preservation Department of the Fujian Shipbuilding Cultural Management Committee; Huang Jiayou, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Faculty of History; Yu Xinzhong, Dean of the Faculty of History; Wang Hao, Vice Dean of the Faculty of History; Professors Hou Jie and Pang Naiming, associate professors Liu Xiaoqin, Cui Yan, and Zhang Yan attended the discussion, which was chaired by Huang Jiayou.
Director Liu Jiangyuan emphasized the significant value of shipbuilding studies, stating that it showcases the achievements of science and technology, higher education, industrial manufacturing, and the translation and dissemination of Western classical culture in modern China. He regarded it as a milestone in China's path towards modernization. He also expressed his vision and aspirations for cooperation with Nankai Faculty of History, aiming to establish Shipbuilding Studies together with the Faculty of History at Nankai University.
President Chen Yue not only provided an update on the recent progress in shipbuilding studies but also highlighted that the development of Fuzhou shipbuilding is a benchmark and model for the successful integration of culture and tourism. He believed that the field of shipbuilding culture research is currently experiencing a rare and excellent opportunity, with many new archives being discovered and organized. There are also numerous topics within this field to be researched in depth. He expressed his anticipation for successful cooperation with the Faculty of History at Nankai University.
Professor Hou Jie not only introduced the research and teaching activities of the faculty and students in the fields of maritime culture, Dagu Fort, and the Beiyang Fleet but also emphasized the similarities between the shipbuilding culture of Tianjin and Fujian. He stressed that Tianjin and Fujian should deepen their cooperation in multiple academic fields, including shipbuilding studies. By leveraging their respective strengths, both sides can achieve fruitful outcomes, cultivate talents, and promote the high-quality development of first-class disciplines. Professor Hou Jie also proposed several specific feasible measures for collaboration between the two parties.
Subsequently, the attending professors also discussed the topics related to shipbuilding studies in their respective research fields, sharing their research findings and expressing their desires for future collaboration. They unanimously recognized the foundation and strong desire for cooperation between the two sides. For the Faculty of History at Nankai University, this represents a new academic growth point, while for Fujian Shipbuilding, cooperation with Nankai Faculty of History establishes an academic platform and will generate a greater social impact. The collaboration between the two parties is characterized by complementary advantages and mutual benefits, resulting in a win-win situation. Finally, they exchanged opinions on the contents of the cooperation agreement.
