In early March, Professor Li Changzhong of the School of Literature, Journalism & Communication at our university was approved as the leading expert for the project “A Century-Long History and Experience of Chinese Ethnic Minority Literature in Advancing the Development of the Community for the Chinese Nation”. The project was awarded as a Major Project under the 2025 Special Program on Forging a Strong Sense of Community for the Chinese Nation from the National Social Science Fund of China, with a grant of 600,000 RMB.
As a recipient of key talent programs under the National Ethnic Affairs Commission of the People’s Republic of China and Hubei Province, Professor Li Changzhong has long focused on the theory and criticism of ethnic literature, with a particular emphasis on the interaction between various ethnic literatures and Chinese civilization. In his four previously completed national-level projects (including one major project) and their resulting research outputs, he has consistently explored the relationship between ethnic literary criticism and the consolidation of the national community. His work on how ethnic literature advances the development of the community for the Chinese nation is both highly distinguished and pioneering. The academic concepts he has creatively introduced, such as “recounting history”, “autofiction-like writing”, and “Han-authored ethnic literature”, have already generated significant scholarly interest. The primary objective of this newly approved Major Project under the Special Program on Forging a Strong Sense of Community for the Chinese Nation is to conduct a theoretical synthesis of the experiences and patterns of how Chinese ethnic minority literature has contributed to the development of the community for the Chinese nation over the past century. It focuses on how research in this field can more effectively address the contemporary theme of “building two communities”—namely, the community of the Chinese nation and the community with a shared future for mankind. The project essentially represents an in-depth exploration of the history of multi-ethnic literary exchange, cultural integration, and mutual learning among civilizations, carrying significant academic value and practical relevance.
It is noted that a total of 28 projects were approved this year under the Special Program on Forging a Strong Sense of Community for the Chinese Nation of the National Social Science Fund of China. Professor Li Changzhong’s successful application has laid a solid foundation for the College of Literature and Journalism to bring its academic research to a successful conclusion under the 14thFive-Year Plan while ensuring a smooth start for the 15thFive-Year Plan.
