Trends and Achievements of Korean Independence Movement History Research in Chinese Academia(1992~2021)

Abstract

Before the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and ROK, Chinese academic circles had begun to study the Korean Independence Movement, but lay particular emphasis on the early anti-Japanese independence activities such as the “Conscript Movement” and the “March 1st Movement”. In the early 1980s, with the advance of China’s reform and opening-up policy, scholars in mainland China began to pay attention to the history of Korean independence movement under the influence of the Chinese Society of Korean History. After the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and ROK in 1992, with the help of the governments and academic circles, several research centers have been established, such as Yanbian University ,Jilin Academy of Social Sciences, Fudan University, Peking University,etc. Several publications, such as Contemporary Korea and Chinese Journal of Korean Studies, have been published successively, and the history of Korean Independence Movement has shown a vigorous development trend. Chinese academic circles focus on the March 1st Movement, the Korean Provisional Government, the Korean armed forces in China, the Korean independence movement and CPC, as well as the Korean diaspora, propaganda activities, and mutual understanding between China and ROK. Chinese academic circles have a relatively accurate grasp of the macro background, but lack of attention to the domestic history of ROK. In recent years, due to the fluctuation of Sino-ROK relations, the academic exchanges and the number of works on the history of the independence movement in China and ROK appear signs of relative decline. The academic circle should attach importance to and support the development and utilization of academic resources in the central and western regions of China, and actively promote the academic exchange and talent reserve between the two sides.