Introduction

The Institute of West-Asian and African Studies (IWAAS) of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) was established on July 4th 1961 on the instructions of Chairman Mao Zedong. With the authorized staffing level of 68, IWAAS is the largest academic institution and think-tank on Middle East and African studies in China. Its predecessor was Institute of Asian and African Studies, which affiliated to the Division of Philosophy and Social Sciences of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS).

The convention of Afro-Asian (Bandung) Conference in 1955 was of great historical significance in promoting national liberation movement in Asia and Africa. In order to strengthen the solidarity between China and Asian-African countries, and to support their struggles for national liberation and independence, studying the history and current situations in Asian and African countries became a task of high priority for Chinese leaders. In September 1959, the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) entrusted the Division of Philosophy and Social Sciences of CASS with making up a preparatory team to establish an institute. Zhang Tiesheng, Head of International Cultural Exchange Committee, served as director of the preparatory team with Zhao Shaowen, Qian Chuwen, Zhang Huiqing and Lin Mingyang as team members. The main task of this team was to make preparations for setting up the Institute of Asian and African Studies and Chinese Association of Asian and African Studies, and start to mimeograph the newsletter Data on Asia and Africa on November 1960.

On April 27th 1961, in his talks with Asian and African guests, Chairman Mao Zedong said, “Our understanding of conditions in Africa, taking myself as an example, is less than sufficient. We should set up an institute of African studies to conduct research on the history, geography and socio-economic conditions of the continent. As we do not know much about African history, geography and current conditions, it is highly necessary to publish a simple and concise book, which should not be too heavy. One or two hundred pages will do. It is advisable to ask our African friends for help. The book should come out in one year or two. Its content should include how imperialism arrived there, how it oppressed the local people, how it encountered their resistance, how the resistance failed and how the people have risen up again.”

On July 4th 1961, the Institute of Asian and African Studies was formally established. On Dec. 30th 1963, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China endorsed Central Foreign Affairs Leading Group’s report of strengthening research on foreign countries, which proposed the establishment of Institute of West Asian and African Studies and Institute of Southeast Asian Studies respectively on the base of Institute of Asian and African Studies. Chairman Mao Zedong made important instructions on this report. On Jan. 20th 1961, according to this report and Chairman Mao’s instructions, the State Organization Commission agreed that the Institute of Asian and African Studies set up in smaller units as Institute of West Asian and African Studies and Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in order to strengthen studies on international issues. On Oct. 30th 1964, the Institute of Asian and African Studies renamed as Institute of West-Asian and African Studies (IWAAS).

Since its establishment in 1961, IWAAS has experienced hard pioneering work, initial development, and sever shocks from the Culture Revolution. Thanks to the reform and opening-up policy, with CPC leadership’s kind attention and guidance for the cause of social sciences, IWAAS makes rapid progresses in a vigorous way and yields great achievements. IWAAS currently hosts several well-known academic publications including West Asia and Africa (since 1980), Annual Report on Development in the Middle East and Africa (since 1997), and Annual Report on Development in Africa (since 2012).

IWAAS was put under the administration of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) from Jan. 1st 1981. Since then multiple changes were seen in the guiding ideology, principles and tasks of IWAAS, which are further clarified and enriched as follows: guided by Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thoughts and Deng Xiaoping Theories, insisting to integration of theory with practice and the principle of taking account of different opinions. With research priorities on contemporary political and economic developments and international relations in West Asia and Africa, IWAAS makes full efforts to promote the discipline development of West Asian and African studies. Meanwhile, the tasks of IWAAS, relying on basic studies, includes conducting applied research of macro, strategic and prospective significance, keeping leading status in West Asian and African studies in China. IWAAS also strives to grow into a world-famous institute and a platform for bringing up qualified personals on West Asian and African studies, serving China’s foreign strategies, policy of reform and opening-up, and global peace and development.

IWAAS is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary academic institution. It covers researches about 73 countries and regions in Middle East and Africa, with a focus on the current political and economic development and international relations in those areas. Studies in history, society, culture, ethnicity, religions and legal issues have also been carried out in those regions, bringing forward policy recommendations to governmental organizations and providing research publications and consultative services to companies interested in West Asia and Africa. IWAAS has become an academic center for West Asian and African studies in China.

IWAAS consists of 6 research divisions: Division of Political Studies, Division of Economic Studies, Division of Peace and Security Studies, Division of International Relations, Division of Ethnic and Religious Studies and Division of Social and Cultural Studies. There are also 4 academic research supplementary units: Library and Information Office, International Communication Office, Scientific Research Office, the Administrative Office; and 2 editorial offices: Editorial Office of West Asia and Africa, and Editorial Office of Journal of China-Africa Studies. IWAAS is home to Department of West Asian and African Studies under the Graduate School of CASS. There are two national academic organizations affiliated to IWAAS: the Chinese Association of Asian and African Studies and the Chinese Association of Middle East Studies. Besides, the Gulf Research Center of CASS and Center of Southern African Studies of IWAAS are also based at IWAAS.

As of Oct. 31st 2023, there are 55 members with professional titles in IWAAS.

*Structure of professional titles: senior, 10; sub senior, 18; intermediate, 26; elementary, 1.

*Structure of educational background: Ph. D, 44; Master's degree 17; Bachelor's degree, 7.

*Age structure: 40 years-old and under, 22; 41-50 years-old, 27; 51 years-old and above, 19.

Since its establishment, the academic staff of IWAAS have completed a large amount of research work, including many high-quality research results. According to the latest statistics, IWAAS has published about 150 books and reference books, more than 2,700 papers and general articles, more than 370 reports, 210 volumes of academic data, over 28 translated books and 286 translated articles. Among those research work, over 136 academic achievements have won outstanding rewards for academic research at state, CASS, Provincial, or IWAAS levels.

In order to meet the needs of China’s economic construction, social development and foreign relations, IWAAS has conducted intensive research on international issues, especially in the fields of basic theories and major current issues in Middle East and Africa, yielding plentiful achievements, some of which have exerted great influences in both domestic and oversea academic circles.

Successive leaders of IWAAS include: Zhang Tiesheng (1961-1964), Wu Xueqian (1964-1966), Liao Gailong (1978-1985), Ge Ji (1985-1992), Zhao Guozhong (1992-1998), Yang Guang (1998- 2018). The current Director-general is Pro. Li Xinfeng.

Director-general: Li Xinfeng

Party Secretary, Deputy Director-general: Zhou Yunfan

Deputy Director-general: Wang Lincong

Deputy Director-general: Wang Xiaoming

Contact:

Address: 1 North National Stadium Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing

Mail: P.O. Box 1120, Beijing

Post Code: 100007

Tel.: 010-87421044, 87421067

Fax: 010-87421046

Website: http://waas.cssn.cn/index/