For a long time, China's science fiction academic research work has been marginalized in academia. The reason, fundamentally speaking, stems from the "dual positioning discourse" on the existence of science fiction in China, that is, from the perspective of scientific undertakings, science fiction literature is subordinate to scientific literature and art, which is an important means of scientific popularization; from the perspective of literary career, science fiction literature is subordinate to children's literature, which can stimulate young people's yearning for science and technology and the future. Objectively speaking, this dual positioning played a positive role in promoting the germination and development of contemporary Chinese science fiction literature in the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China. However, entering the new era of reform and opening up, with the influx of a large number of foreign science fiction works, especially in Europe and the United States, Chinese science fiction creators have seen more possibilities for science fiction creation and begun to break through the shackles of "dual positioning discourse" from the perspective of creative practice. During the "20 years of cross-century" (1993 to 2013) of Chinese science fiction, along with the replacement of the old and new groups of Chinese science fiction creators, Chinese science fiction creation began to explore the localization path of science fiction creation while gradually absorbing the nutrients of excellent science fiction works at home and abroad, and gradually formed the "Chinese School" of science fiction creation. This makes contemporary Chinese science fiction creation more and more rich academic research value. In 2015, Liu Cixin's science fiction novel "The Three-Body Problem" won the Hugo Award, which not only effectively improved the visibility of Chinese science fiction in the field of international science fiction research, but also further triggered the interest and enthusiasm of domestic academic circles in science fiction research, thus laying the foundation for the development of Chinese and foreign science fiction academic exchange activities.
From June 17 to 18, 2016, the International Research Center for Chinese Civilization at Fudan University held the "Science Fiction Literature Workshop". The conference basically gathered the elites of Chinese science fiction creation: the "three giants" of the mainland science fiction circle - Liu Cixin, Wang Jinkang, and Han Song, Taiwanese writer Luo Yijun, Hong Kong writer Chen Guanzhong, young writers and researchers Jia Liyuan (pen name: Fei Deuterium), Wang Yao (pen name: Xia Di), Li Jun (pen name: Baoshu) and others, as well as the old, middle-aged and young echelon of strict science fiction research teams, including overseas scholars Wang Dewei, Song Mingwei, Zhao Ruhan, etc., as well as domestic experts Wu Yan, Li Guangyi, Ren Dongmei, and so on. In more than 20 academic lectures, he showed the current boom in science fiction literature and the depth of research. In addition to delving into this "modernity" feature, this conference also addresses issues such as the creativity of science fiction. Among them, the "dark consciousness" of science fiction literature proposed by Professor Wang Dewei of Harvard University is particularly thought-provoking, corresponding to the "sense of distress" that has been the mainstream since May Fourth literature, emphasizing that the dark consciousness of science fiction literature not only refers to the unknowable or unpredictable level outside the boundaries of reason, but also explores and imagines the most subtle and tortuous aspects of human nature.
On December 3-4, 2016, the International Conference on "Utopia and Science Fiction Literature Studies" was held in Beijing. The event is also part of a series of academic events worldwide to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the publication of Utopia. Dozens of scholars from China, the United States, Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan participated in the discussion. Overseas guests such as Kim Stanley Robinson, the "double champion" of the Hugo Award and the Nebula Award, Veronica Hollinger, former deputy editor of Science Fiction Studies in the United States, as well as domestic scholars such as Dai Jinhua, Meng Qingshu, Wang Jianyuan, Wang Fengzhen and Shu Wei, gathered together, and a large number of young scholars spoke at the scene. The participating experts exchanged enthusiastic exchanges on topics such as "Utopia and Critical Theory" and "Thinking about the Future in China". In particular, Professor Dai Jinhua's keynote speech "The Rubik's Cube of Science Fiction", combined with science fiction films and novels, from the perspective of intellectual history to the theoretical depth of utopia and science fiction literature, triggered extensive discussion among the participants. It is worth mentioning that this conference was broadcast live by Superstar Academics, which is the first case in the industry.
Keynote Speaker: Prof. Dai Jinhua
On 30-31 May 2018, the "Chinese Science Fiction" Symposium, co-sponsored by the HKUST Jockey Club Institute for Advanced Study, the HKUST Faculty of Humanities and Humanities, the HKUST School of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Tin Ka Ping Foundation, was held at the HKUST Jockey Club Institute for Advanced Study. The convener of the conference was Professor Liu Jianmei of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Professor Song Mingwei of The United States Vesley College, and seven writers, including Chen Guanzhong, Yan Lianke, Han Song, Luo Yijun, Dong Qizhang, Yi Geyan and Chen Qifan, were invited to participate in the seminar. The conference aims to explore the cultural expression of science fiction in the contemporary Chinese-speaking world, as well as the new aspects of science fiction in literary writing. The conference is divided into two parts, the first part is a group of seven writers who occupy an important position in the contemporary literary world to hold three talks, the topics are science fiction, experimental texts, reality and God; the second part is a keynote speech delivered by Professor Wang Dewei, and the topics of other scholars cover the environment, gender, cultural differences, virtual reality, etc., from a multi-faceted perspective to evaluate the achievements of science fiction and its experimental texts in the Chinese-speaking world.
Keynote Speaker: Professor Song Mingwei
On September 8-9, 2018, the "China-Japan Science Fiction Culture Summit Forum in the Internet Age" was held in Changchun, Jilin Province. More than 100 people from more than 20 universities and research institutes at home and abroad and 4 academic publishing institutions gathered together to rely on "science fiction" and focus on the theme of "Internet + science fiction culture", thinking about the new characteristics of cultural development in the Internet era, taking the pulse of the direction of science fiction development, inheriting the charm of science fiction culture, and exploring the unique value of science fiction culture in building a community with a shared future for mankind. At the opening ceremony, Professor Meng Qingshu, a well-known scholar in China, and Taiyo Fujii, the 18th president of the Japan SF Writers Club, jointly released the "Sino-Japanese Science Fiction Changchun Declaration". At the same time, the forum also issued a letter of appointment to five Japanese writers and scholars, including Taiyang Fujii and Mr. Taimizu Tsuhara, as well as more than 20 Chinese writers and scholars such as Wang Jinkang, Meng Qingshu, Jin Haifeng, Wu Yan, Yao Haijun, Yin Chuanhong, and Ma Chuansi.
On October 21, 2019, the special forum on "Exchange and Translation Chinese of Chinese and Japanese Science Fiction Literature and Animation in the New Era", jointly organized by the Center for Japanese Studies of Beijing University of Foreign Studies and the National Social Science Foundation of China", and co-organized by Beijing Duodianle Technology Co., Ltd. and Hangzhou Mercury Culture and Creativity Co., Ltd., was held in the conference hall of the Center for Japanese Studies in Beijing. The forum invites Mr. Wang Jinkang, a leading figure in Chinese science fiction, Professor Meng Qingshu, a well-known scholar and expert in comparative literature and science fiction literature in China, Professor Hideshi Otsuka of the International Center for Japanese Culture Research, Professor Qin Gang of Beijing University of Foreign Chinese, and nearly 40 scholars from other universities to gather in Beijing to discuss science fiction-related issues. The forum was co-chaired by Professor Meng Qingshu and Professor Qin Gang. Professor Meng Qingshu pointed out in his speech that 2019 is a landmark year in the history of Sino-Japanese science fiction animation exchanges, and the spring issue of Japan's top literary magazine "Mita Literature" has launched a special edition of science fiction literature and published Wang Jinkang's science fiction novel "Heavenly Fire", marking the japanese literary circles to regard Chinese contemporary science fiction as an indispensable part of the world's excellent science fiction. Previously, a group of famous Japanese writers and scholars held a symposium on Wang Jinkang's science fiction works in Tokyo, which promoted the influence of Chinese science fiction in Japan. At the same time, Liu Cixin's "Three-Body Problem" was a hit in Japan, and Japan's "Science Fiction Magazine" launched a "Three-Body" review and a special edition of Chinese science fiction writers. Japanese scholar Hideshi Otsuka put forward the "Astro Boy Proposition" around the pivotal figure in the history of Japanese science fiction and anime development, Osamu Tezuka. He believes that Astro Boy refers to Japan, which was occupied by the United States after the war and stagnated its development. Since then, Japanese manga has continued this theme, and the characters who want to grow but cannot grow appear repeatedly. From this point of view, in modern society, the social contradictions embodied in Chinese and Japanese science fiction and the interconnection of civilizations can transcend national boundaries and make science fiction works accept and resonate with readers in other countries, which is an important reason why the works of Wang Jinkang and Liu Cixin have set off a wave in Japan. During the dialogue and exchange session, Wang Jinkang, Hideshi Otsuka, Jia Liyuan, Liu Jian, Qin Gang and others shared and discussed the reality and future significance of science fiction.
Keynote Speaker: Hideshi Otsuka
In 2020, the new crown virus has ravaged the world, and the production and life, social order and even people's thinking in various countries have been greatly impacted. However, the arrival of the epidemic has made the boundary between science fiction and reality increasingly blurred, and the practical significance of science fiction has suddenly become prominent, which has made the academic community pay more attention to science fiction research, and the academic exchange of Science Fiction between China and foreign countries has become more active because of the application of new technologies.
During the epidemic period, with the help of video conferencing software such as ZOOM and Tencent Conference, Chinese and foreign science fiction academic exchanges have shown an unprecedented active scene. On April 22, 2020 local time, Chinese science fiction writers Han Song, Chen Qifan, and Wang Yao (pen name: Xia Di) participated in the "Discussion of Science Fiction and Global Media with Chinese Science Fiction Writers" activity of the East Asian Studies Committee of the Yale Macmillan Center in the United States through online means. On June 10, 17, 24 and July 2, local time, the Chinese science fiction webinars hosted by the Galileo Italia Center and the Italian PISA Confucius Institute were held online, with Chen Qifan and Wang Yao participating, and Han Song attending as a special guest, the conference focused on the growing international influence of Chinese science fiction, the Italian translation of Chinese science fiction, "Chongqing: the most cyberpunk Chinese city from the past to the future" and other topics to carry out academic speeches and exchanges. On July 1, 2020 local time, Frederick Schneider Welsack of the Free University of Berlin gave an online lecture entitled "The Role of Women in Society: A Glimpse through Chinese Science Fiction Literature", which was attended by a number of Chinese science fiction researchers. On August 16, 2020, local time (Eastern Time), the seminar "Encountering the Modern Category: Revaluing Modern Chinese History with Speculative Fiction" was held online, hosted by Associate Professor Li Guangyi of Chongqing University, and made academic speeches by Wang Kanyu and Carla Xili. On August 27, 2020, Associate Professor Mingwei Song of Wesleyan College conducted a special academic report entitled "Posthuman: Theory and Practice of Science Fiction Research" online through the "Contemporary Overseas Sinology Lecture Series" platform of Zhejiang University. From September 10 to 12, 2020 local time, the London Science Fiction Association (LSFRC) 2020 annual meeting "Beyond Borders: Empire, Body and Science Fiction Literature" was conducted online, with a total of 53 scholars sharing their views in 18 topics. Chinese science fiction writer Chen Mufan participated in one of the roundtable discussions, discussing with science fiction writers and scholars from all over the world how to integrate multiple artistic presentations into their works, and how science fiction works can show the responsibility of the times. Chen Qifan's science fiction novel "Wild Tide" has also become a focus of discussion at this conference, highlighting his international influence as a leading figure in China's post-80s science fiction writer group.
The leader of Chinese science fiction literature after the 80s: Chen Qifan
Xi'an Jiaotong University Chinese Department, doctoral supervisor, famous science fiction female writer Xia Di
From September 26 to 27, 2020, under the guidance of the China Association of Popular Science Writers, the "Sino-Japanese SF Summit Cloud Forum in the Post-epidemic Era - Science Fiction and New Hope for Human Civilization" was jointly held in China and Japan through online means, under the guidance of the China Association of Popular Science Writers, the "Japan-Day Chinese Exchange Center", the Shanghai Science Writers Association, the Tianjin Science Popularization Writers Association, the Science Fiction Creation Research Base of the China Science Popularization Writers Association, the Heart Elephant World Co., Ltd., the International Comparative Literature Magazine, and the Science Fiction World Magazine. At the opening ceremony, Wang Ting, director of the China Institute of Science Popularization, and Tetsuji Nagata, executive director of the Japan-China Friendship Association, delivered speeches respectively. Meng Qingshu, a well-known scholar in China, and Lin Rangzhi, a Japanese writer, made basic speeches. Liu Cixin, Wang Jinkang, Han Song, Yao Haijun, Ding Zicheng, Taiyang Fujii, Hayashi Jiuzhi, Kawabata Hiroto, Bo Gong, Yamamoto Fanzi, and other well-known chinese and Japanese science fiction writers, editors, critics, and scholars all made special speeches. Qin Gang, Liu Yan, Yu Changmin and other scholars conducted academic discussions and exchanges on topics such as "Talking about Sino-Japanese Epidemic Science Fiction Literature in the Post-epidemic Era", "The Diversified Symbiotic Landscape of Science Fiction Literature in the Digital Age", and "Contemporary Japanese Science Fiction Literature Research". Finally, Lu Juan, director of the Japanese Media Center of the People's Daily Overseas Network, made a concluding speech.
Looking at the development of Chinese and foreign science fiction academic exchange activities in the past five years, it can be seen that with the development of China's overall international influence, Chinese science fiction, as a new cultural business card of China, is being recognized and concerned by more and more people in the world. Especially in foreign academic circles, Chinese science fiction is becoming a new perspective for understanding and understanding contemporary China. Within the foreseeable range, Chinese and foreign academic exchange activities with the theme of "Chinese science fiction" will become more and more frequent in the future. This kind of positive interaction will also effectively promote the development and growth of Chinese science fiction creation and academic research.
Excerpted from the "2015-2020 Sino-foreign Science Fiction Exchange and Development Report" written by me, from the "China Science Fiction Development Report 2015-2020", published by China Science and Technology Publishing House in October 2021.