Chinese Journal of Literary Criticism

No.3, 2025

How to Study the Western Acceptance of Chinese Literary Theory since the Reform and Opening-up

(Abstract)

Feng Qing

The period of reform and opening-up witnessed the prime of cultural interaction between China and the West, coinciding with the widespread outreach of Chinese literary theory to the Western world. To study the relevant theoretical dissemination and Western acceptance during this period, a “China in the world” perspective is essential for investigating complex evolution of Chinese literary theory’s meaning in the Western context. Studying this theoretical phenomenon in a systematic manner necessitates an attitude of “facing the reality itself,” in which China-West exchange of literary theory during the reform and opening-up should be considered as a global scholars’ reunification process in terms of core propositions such as sense of commonality, universal humanity and a human community with a shared future. Studies in this field should focus on analyzing the clues to the dissemination and evolution of Chinese literary theory in the Western world while exploring new trans-cultural research directions, thus expanding opportunities for the global transmission of Chinese culture.