The Department of Chinese Language Studies (CHL) and the Centre for Research on Chinese Language and Education (CRCLE) of The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) organised “The 2nd International Symposium on Frontiers of Chinese Linguistics” online on 28 and 29 May 2021, with the Centre for Chinese Linguistics of Peking University and CKC Centre for the Development of Information Technology in Chinese Language Teaching of EdUHK. Themed “Materials and Approaches in Chinese Language Research”, the symposium discussed and explored the latest developments and achievements of Chinese language research in recent years from the perspectives of language materials and research methods. 

EdUHK Vice President (Research and Development) Professor Lui Tai-lok, Acting Dean of Faculty of Humanities Dr Wang Lixun, and Head of CHL Professor Si Chung-mou, delivered the opening speeches. Professor Lui pointed out that the symposium has showcased the efforts of promoting academic internationalisation by EdUHK and that it will bring new perspectives and insights to the academic field, and elevate Chinese language research to a new level. Dr Wang highlighted Chinese linguistics is one of the key research fields developed by the faculty, and this symposium was a valuable opportunity to promote inter-regional and inter-disciplinary communications. Professor Si introduced the endeavours and achievements of CHL in promoting research and teaching of Chinese linguistics.

This two-day symposium comprised eight sessions, with 20 oral presentations on a wide range of themes from 21 speakers from different regions, including the mainland, France, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, and the US. Director of CRCLE Professor Zhu Qingzhi delivered the closing speech, in which he recognised the symposium’s achievements. He said that he expected it to develop further into a signature brand representing CRCLE and CHL’s academic reputation. 

Participated by more than 200 scholars, the symposium has transcended the barriers of disciplines, allowing scholars to explore the cutting-edge research in Chinese linguistics from different perspectives. It also enriched the connotation of the subject and broadened the horizon of research, hence contributing to the regional and international academic exchanges in the field of Chinese linguistics.