China's first English-language academic journal in Chinese religions studies, published by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), saw its first issue hit shelves on Tuesday in Beijing. The journal gives Chinese scholars more say in the global arena and helps further the world's understanding of Chinese religions, according to a CASS statement sent to the Global Times on Thursday.
The quarterly journal, Studies in Chinese Religions, co-founded by the Institute of World Religions at CASS and British academic publisher Taylor & Francis Group, will fully demonstrate the role of Chinese scholars in Chinese religions studies, driving studies in Chinese religions to new heights, the statement said.
Zhuo Xinping, director of the Institute of World Religions, said the journal will publish studies on Han religions of Confucianism and Taoism, religions of ethnic minority groups and introduced ones such as Buddhism, Christianity and Islam.
"It is time to create discourses of Chinese scholars in the religious studies, since the concept of religion and the definition of research objects in Western academia cannot be fully applied in China," Zhang Zhigang, head of Peking University's Academy of Religious Studies, was quoted by China Ethnic News as saying on November 9.
Li Jianxin, executive editor-in-chief of the journal, said Chinese religions have exerted profound influence in Asia and noted that the British publisher hopes the journal can become an international academic journal.
