Peking University, November 14, 2025: In a world where knowledge is increasingly interconnected, how can the Global South bring fresh perspectives to the study of countries and regions? At a panel session of the Beijing Forum 2025, themed “Theory and Practice of Country and Region Studies,” experts and scholars explored the decolonization of area studies and discussed how China, as a member of the Global South, might contribute unique insights.

Zhang Yongle, panel moderator and Deputy Director of Peking University’s Institute of Area Studies, posed a question: How can we develop a new narrative for studying space in the Global South?

Drawing on the case of Türkiye, Ali Çarkoğlu, Professor of Political Science at Koc University, highlighted a paradox many developing societies face: “Modernization produces mobility without convergence, education without empathy, and a democracy divided.” Rapid urbanization and educational progress, he noted, often benefit the central elite while leaving peripheral areas disconnected.

Liu Yang, Assistant Professor of International Law at Renmin University of China, emphasized the shared historical experience of Global South countries that had been dominated or colonized. “We should not be confined to a position of struggle,” Liu said. “The Global South needs a vision for the global order.”

The discussion highlighted that decolonization in area studies is a shared responsibility, not just for the Global South. Peo Hansen, Professor at Institute for Research on Migration, Ethnicity and Society, Linköping University, noted that the European Union’s formation was deeply shaped by its colonial legacy, which must be revisited to understand Europe’s present relationship with the Global South. As he put it, “This knowledge that we lack prevents us from understanding our current predicament.”

Scholars also explored concrete paths for advancing the decolonization of area studies. Zan Tao, Deputy Director and Professor of Institute of Area Studies, Peking University, emphasized that reclaiming local knowledge, asserting cultural autonomy, and shaping shared narratives constitute crucial steps. Echoing this point, Anthony Carty, Visiting Professor at Peking University’s Law School, highlighted how China’s rejuvenation, socialism with Chinese characteristics, and revival of Confucian ethics offer a practical model for rethinking area studies and inspire other regions to reconnect with their intellectual traditions.

The panel highlighted the urgent need to reclaim local knowledge, revive regional traditions, and turn ideas into concrete practice. Through the lens of the Global South, area studies can inspire an inclusive and forward-looking understanding of the world.

Written by: Ma Xuan
Edited by: Chen Shizhuo
Photo by: Office of International Relations