Peking University 20 November, 2024: The international symposium on the history of China-Western cultural exchange in rememberance of the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo’s death took place on October 29th and 30th, with 31 scholars from China, Italy, France and Germany sharing their opinions about Marco Polo and his book Le Devisement du monde. The symposium is co-hosted by International Academy for China Studies, Peking University and the School of History, Renmin University of China.
The symposium officially opened on October 29th. Professor Zhu Hu, Dean of the School of History at Renmin University of China, and Professor Cheng Yuzhui, Assistant Director of the International Academy for China Studies at Peking University, spoke highly of Marco Polo as “a great friend” of the Chinese people.Professor Eugenio Burgio from the University of Ca' Foscari Venice explained how the Devisement du Monde created an "intermediate space" between the Chinese and the Western culture. He further argues the Marco Polo’s view on Asia mainly relied on the materials visible to him, led to limitations and errors in his book.
Following the six insightful academic sessions, the closing ceremony of the symposium was held on October 30th, at the International Academy for China Studies at Peking University After the symposium, the scholars visited the Palace Museum and Matteo Ricci’s tomb inside the Beijing Administrative Institute.
