Turkish Studies in China: Language, Academia and Multidisciplinary Perspectives

This article provides a comprehensive examination of the historical evolution and interdisciplinary expansion of Turkish Studies in China. Türkiye’s strategic importance in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has significantly intensified Chinese academic interest, contributing to the emergence of Turkish Studies as a dynamic and evolving field. This study analyzes five core areas of development—Turkish language education, research centers, book and journal publications, graduate theses, and translation work—offering a structured evaluation of academic progress from 1949 to 2024. Originally limited to language and historical topics, Turkish Studies in China have increasingly incorporated disciplines such as political science, economics, cultural studies, and international relations. In particular, the post-2013 period has witnessed notable growth in scholarly output, institutional infrastructure, and student engagement, underscoring the field’s maturation and sustainability. By situating academic trends within the broader trajectory of Sino-Turkish relations, this article illustrates how scholarly production mirrors diplomatic, cultural, and geopolitical shifts. Furthermore, the findings demonstrate the central role of knowledge production and academic collaboration in fostering cross-cultural understanding and strategic partnerships between China and Türkiye. This study contributes to ongoing discussions on area studies in non-Western contexts and highlights the unique path of Turkish Studies in contemporary Chinese academia.