Peking University, June 2, 2022: On May 15, 2022, a forum on “The Collation and Study of YanxingLU since the New Century” was held online. The forum is jointly held by PKU Korean Peninsula Research Center, PKU Research Center of Eastern Literature, PKU Center of Chinese Classical Studies and PKU Faculty of Arts and Humanities. Keynote speeches were given by 30 scholars and editors from Peking University, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, National Library of China, Peking University Press, and more.


YanxingLU or Korean Envoy Accounts of Missions to China is a series of books written by official envoys from Joseon Korea who came to China during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The rich and vivid historical materials and the unique perspective of recording have attracted the attention of scholars from many countries in East Asia and the West.

Pushing the frontiers of YanxingLU studies

In 2021, Professor Qi Yongxiang from PKU Department of Chinese Language and Literature published a collection of books titled "A Comprehensive Annotated Bibliography on Thousands of YanxingLU".This collection brings many unknown documents to light and provides a system of navigation for the further studying of YanxingLU. As such, it became a key focus of discussion during the forum.


To pursue a useful catalog for academic reference, Professor Qi Yongxiang worked tirelessly with an ocean of historical materials. As such, Professor Liu Yongqiang of PKU Department of Chinese Language and Literature spoke highly of Professor Qi’s persistence in the face of academic adversity.

While praising the collection for its breadth and depth, the experts in attendance also provided constructive criticism of its shortcomings. Professor Qi Yongxiang said, “I sincerely thank the experts for their corrections. I will continue to work on the books, and hope to fix these errors in future reprints.”

Exploring cultural exchanges in history

YanxingLU showcases the diversity of cultural exchanges within East Asia and between the East and West, the interpretation of which can enhance understanding of the intricacies of history.

Professor Wang Bangwei from PKU School of Foreign Languages mentioned that along with YanxingLU, historical documents originating from the North and West of China can offer further perspective into the periphery’s evaluation of China.

Scholars also offered their perspectives on YanxingLU. Qin Zhiya from PKU School of Foreign Languages interpreted 14 representative images in YanxingLU based on iconography. Xie Shihua from Kunming University analyzed the usage of Korean in YanxingLU from the perspective of linguistics. Through imagology, Wen Lihua from PKU School of Foreign Language explained the female imagery in YanxingLU.


A new point of academic growth

Till now, YanxingLU studies have attracted great attention from scholars in East Asia. In April 2019, Professor Qi Yongxiang published the article “Ruminations on YanxingLU studies”, defining the research value of YanxingLU studies from a disciplinary perspective and laying a solid theoretical foundation.

Because of the interdisciplinary characteristics of this academic focus, this forum serves as an indispensable measure to gather the strengths of various parties and promote the formation of a rigorous discipline.  


In her closing speech, Professor Wang Dan, Vice Dean of PKU School of Foreign Languages, announced that this August, PKU Department of Chinese Language and Literature, PKU Department of History, and PKU School of Foreign Languages will co-organize a forum on ShixingLU, and she looks forward to the discussions coming up.

A treasure trove of documents on the history of cultural exchange between China and Joseon Korea awaits further research and discovery.

Written by: Fu Jiaqi
Edited by: Li Wanqi
Source: PKU News (Chinese)