The ceremony to mark the establishment of the Xiamen University Japanese Research Institute was held on December 26th. Speaking at the ceremony the President of the University, Prof. Zhu Chongshi said that the University would exploit its regional advantages and comprehensive resources to ensure that the Japanese Research Institute would become a leading institute. President Zhu, Vice-Presidents Sun Shigang and, Zhang Ying and the Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Xiamen municipal government Chen Aijing and others also attended the opening ceremony of the China-Japan Modern Science &Technology Seminar.

The Xiamen University Japanese Research Institute is a fully academic research institute coming under the Overseas Education College, and will focus on both basic theory study and real strategies in the five research areas of language and culture, literature and education, philosophy and international relations, politics and law. The new Institute will strengthen links and cooperation between Japanese investors and local businessmen. It will promote the developments in the fields in question and foster more high-quality experts in Japanese studies.

There are currently more than 70 Japanese students studying at the University, and a considerable number of scholars from Xiamen University are carrying out advanced research in Japan. The University is to enhance, in both breadth and depth, its research into Japanese politics, economics, education and religion, to make it one of the foremost institutions for Japanese studies in south China.