Source: Sun Yat-sen University Libraries
Written by: Sun Yat-sen University Libraries
Translated by: Ling Feixia
Edited by: Wang Dongmei

On November 8 and 9, the International Symposium on Descriptive Bibliography & Scholarly Editing of Chinese Ancient Books themed "Canton Classics Collection & Guangzhou History and Culture” was held in Guangzhou Library and Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) Libraries. The symposium was jointly organized by SYSU Libraries and Guangzhou Research Base for Canton Classics Collection and Guangzhou History and Culture. The participants included Mr. Zhou Heping, Honorary Director of National Library of China and Former Vice Minister of Culture; Mr. Chen Jianhua, Mayor of Guangzhou and Editor-in-Chief of Canton Classics Collection; Prof. Zheng Detao, Secretary of SYSU Party Committee; Prof. Cheng Huanwen, Director of SYSU Libraries; renowned bibliographers 91-year-old Mr. Shen Xieyuan and 87-year-old Mr. Wang Guichen; as well as experts and scholars from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, the U.S., Canada, Germany and Japan. The opening ceremony was presided over by Prof. Cheng Huanwen, Director of SYSU Libraries.

Mr. Zhou Heping gave a keynote speech entitled “Protect Ancient Books and Promote Excellent Chinese Traditional Culture”. He reviewed our achievements in the scholarly editing and protection of ancient Chinese books, and pointed out the pressing issues and direction for future development.

Mr. Chen Jianhua gave a keynote speech entitled “Pass down Historical Documents and Promote Guangzhou’s History and Culture”. He introduced the compilation process and significance of Canton Classics Collection, and highlighted the importance of Canton Classics Collection in carrying forward and promoting excellent traditional culture and cultivating a world-famous cultural city.

Prof. Zheng Detao gave an introduction to SYSU Libraries, and expressed the hope to promote the development of descriptive bibliography and scholarly editing of Chinese ancient books through this symposium.

Experts and scholars reported their latest research results in the scholarly editing and edition evaluation of ancient Chinese books; bibliographies of rare Chinese books and their compilation research; the research on digital collection of Chinese ancient books and digital humanities; the collection, editing and use of overseas ancient Chinese books; protection and preservation of ancient Chinese books, and had heated exchanges and discussions. At the closing ceremony, Mr. Shen Jin, former director of the Department of Rare Books in Harvard-Yenching Library of Harvard University and distinguished expert of SYSU Libraries, made concluding remarks.

It is believed that this symposium will further promote the research on Guangzhou local documents, the development and sharing of the scholarly editing of ancient Chinese books, and the international exchange and cooperation in science of editions of Chinese ancient books, bibliography, documentation science and other academic studies.