（I）Overview of the Discipline

Regional and country studies have a relatively early start in the West. In the 18th and 19th centuries, some European and American countries began to conduct research on specific regions and countries of the world, particularly in Asia and Africa, and established relevant research institutions for this purpose. After the Second World War, regional and country studies further developed in developed countries, represented by the United States, forming a relatively complete system for discipline development and talent cultivation. A large number of interdisciplinary talents and related research achievements have played a special role in implementing national strategies and safeguarding national interests, making regional and country studies an important independent discipline.

China's foreign-related research originated from regional and country studies. In the 1960s, under the direct arrangement of party and state leaders, universities and government departments established a series of regional and country research institutions. After the reform and opening-up, China's relations with the outside world became increasingly close, and its interactions with various countries deepened. Significant progress was made in regional and country studies and talent cultivation, with the establishment of a large number of research institutions and the publication of numerous research achievements. However, China's regional and country studies have not yet been supported by an independent discipline and lack systematic academic mechanisms and talent cultivation programs. China's regional and country studies have not yet fully played their role in serving the country and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, leaving considerable room for development.

Currently, China's comprehensive national strength and international status continue to rise, and its global influence continues to expand, making it an increasingly important participant in global affairs. Meanwhile, the international landscape is evolving rapidly, and the internal conditions and external environment for China's development are undergoing complex and profound changes. In this context, jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative, promoting Sino-foreign exchanges, strengthening international communication, participating in global governance, advancing the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative, and promoting the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind have become important connotations of China's response to global changes and ensuring sustained and stable development. The new situation and new goals require us to accurately grasp the international situation, correctly understand the external world, precisely formulate international strategies, and effectively advance foreign work. All these require in-depth and comprehensive research on various countries and regions worldwide. Therefore, setting up an independent first-level discipline of regional and country studies under the interdisciplinary category is timely.

Party and state leaders attach great importance to this work. General Secretary Xi Jinping has made important instructions multiple times, emphasizing the importance of studying the external world. The Central Propaganda Department, the Ministry of Education, and other national authorities have issued multiple documents proposing to take various measures to coordinate and leverage the "trinity" role of discipline development, talent cultivation, and think tank construction to enhance the quality of regional and country studies in universities and ensure the implementation of the strategic deployment of the CPC Central Committee. The construction of regional and country studies should closely serve national strategic needs and cultivate experts proficient in specific countries, regions, and fields. Therefore, regional and country studies and talent cultivation have risen to the level of national strategy. Strengthening regional and country studies, building their research and teaching system, and enhancing talent cultivation are important tasks for the construction of the first-level discipline of regional and country studies.

Since the Ministry of Education initiated a special project on regional and country studies in November 2011, significant progress has been made in this field among domestic universities. Up to now, there are 453 cultivating bases and filing centers for regional and country studies approved by the Ministry of Education, distributed across 186 universities nationwide, basically achieving full coverage of research on all countries and regions worldwide. Eleven universities have recruited doctoral students in regional and country studies, some of whom have already graduated. Dozens of universities have established specialized institutions for regional and country studies, with multiple 985 universities having independently set up the first-level discipline of regional and country studies. Nearly 20,000 teachers nationwide are involved in regional and country studies. Over the years, they have published numerous achievements, submitted a large number of think tank reports, and cultivated a large number of talents. Meanwhile, society and academia have greatly increased their recognition of regional and country studies, deeply understanding their importance and expecting their faster development.

（||）Disciplinary Connotation

Area-Country Studies, as a quintessential interdisciplinary field, possesses unique research objects, extensive research content, comprehensive talent cultivation requirements, and diverse research methodologies.

1. Research Objects

As an interdisciplinary field, Area-Country Studies conducts comprehensive research on the politics, economics, cultures, societies, militaries, humanities, geographies, and resources of different regions and countries worldwide. It is characterized by strategic, comprehensive, integrated, countermeasures-oriented, practical, and real-time attributes. The mission of Area-Country Studies is to bridge the knowledge domains that originally belonged to separate disciplines, systematically explore the history and current status of regions and countries, reveal their laws and trends, and form an interdisciplinary and integrated knowledge system, providing academic guidance for China to deeply understand the world.

Distinct from any existing discipline, the research objects of Area-Country Studies focus on holistic, macro, and integrated research on regions and countries, requiring multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary participation and knowledge accumulation from researchers. The various fields involved in Area-Country Studies share a common goal: to utilize multidisciplinary knowledge to conduct comprehensive, multi-angled, and broad-vision research on regions or countries, aiming to gain comprehensive and profound insights into them.

2. Theoretical Framework

The theoretical framework of Area-Country Studies includes:

(1) Marxist historical materialism and theories on world development. Guided by Marxist theory, China's Area-Country Studies examines the history and current status of countries worldwide, distinguishing it from similar disciplines in other countries and constituting its foundational existence.

(2) Modernization theories, encompassing Western modernization theories and Chinese-characteristic modernization theories. Area-Country Studies emphasizes Chinese-characteristic modernization theories while also drawing on reasonable elements from Western modernization theories.

(3) The theory of a community with a shared future for mankind. This theory is a vital component of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and serves as a key guiding principle for China's Area-Country Studies; Area-Country Studies must firmly grasp the basic ideas of a community with a shared future for mankind and direct research efforts to serve people worldwide.

(4) The theory of mutual learning among civilizations. The mutual exchange, learning, and mutual recognition among different civilizations are prominent phenomena in human history and significant drivers of human civilization progress and world peace and development. The theory of mutual learning among civilizations is an integral part of the socialist theoretical system with Chinese characteristics for a new era and serves as an important theoretical basis for Area-Country Studies.

(5) Selectively applying mature and innovative theories from related disciplines and integrating them into the theoretical framework of Area-Country Studies.

3. Research Methods

European and American Area-Country Studies excel in combining humanities and social science methodologies, but they are constrained by Western value biases, often judging countries and regions based on Western experiences and presenting the Western path as a universal law.

China needs to establish its own research methodology system, with the principles of targeting national needs, focusing on regions and countries, prioritizing development research, and emphasizing interdisciplinarity. Given that Area-Country Studies is a multidisciplinary field, equal attention should be given to humanities and social science methodologies, drawing on their strengths and avoiding their weaknesses, while also incorporating suitable methodologies and tools from natural sciences and engineering disciplines. Area-Country Studies is highly practical and applied, requiring researchers to live and study in the target country, engage with its culture and society, and understand its folk customs. Researchers in Area-Country Studies are required to master the target country's language, using it as a research and observation tool. Based on borrowing from foreign research findings and summarizing China's practical experience, Area-Country Studies should create methodologies and theories with Chinese characteristics, promoting the development of Area-Country Studies with Chinese characteristics in the process of construction and improvement.

(|||) Discipline Scope

As a first-level discipline newly included in the discipline directory for graduate education of the State Council, Area-Country Studies encompasses but is not limited to the following six framework-based second-level disciplines (directions):

1. Theoretical Methods of Area-Country Studies

Based on long-term and in-depth research on various regions and countries worldwide, this direction gradually summarizes and extracts basic theories, research methodologies, and operational tools that can guide the construction of Area-Country Studies, integrating generality and specificity. It establishes the four major systems of theory, methodology, platforms, and tools for Area-Country Studies.

2. Comprehensive Studies of Area-Country

This direction focuses on multidimensional and interdisciplinary comprehensive research on regions, countries, and international organizations, embodying the interdisciplinary, comprehensive, and integrated nature of Area-Country Studies, and forming a comprehensive knowledge system addressing universal, general, and specific issues related to the research objects.

3. Specialized Studies of Area-Country

Specialized and in-depth research is conducted on the history and reality, politics and economy, society and culture, domestic politics and diplomacy, security and stability, ethnicity and religion of target regional countries, forming knowledge accumulation and theoretical interpretations of the specificity, regionality, and locality of Area-Country Studies.

4. Comparative Studies of Area-Country

Comparisons are made between the histories, cultures, literatures, languages, ethnicities, religions, and arts of different regions and countries; and comparisons are also drawn between the universal and specific characteristics of historical processes, cultural forms, civilizational traits, language structures, religious traditions, and artistic expressions of different regions and countries.

5. Exchanges and Mutual Learning Among Chinese and Foreign Civilizations

This direction focuses on the history, evolution, basic characteristics, achievements, and shortcomings of China's exchanges and cooperation with various regions, countries, and international organizations worldwide. It systematically studies China's cooperation strategies and policies with different regions, countries, and international organizations in political, economic, security, and humanities fields, leveraging knowledge and academia to support the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.

6. Global and Regional Governance

This direction focuses on significant macro-issues globally that may lead to "human dilemmas" now and in the future, pays attention to governance and national relations within regions, and conducts research on related issues using interdisciplinary research methodologies and relying on innovative means such as dynamic analysis and data modeling.

(IV) Training Objectives

This discipline takes serving the country's foreign cooperation strategy as its mission and aims to cultivate outstanding talents for China's foreign exchanges. The talents trained should have a firm political stance and a broad perspective on national interests; they should possess academic literacy that integrates knowledge and action, as well as cross-cultural understanding and communication skills; they should also have international communication awareness and capabilities to facilitate the global dissemination of Chinese knowledge and the global expression of China's voice.

1. Master's Degree

Candidates should have a correct political stance, serving the motherland and the people. They should possess a solid theoretical foundation in area and country studies and master its research methods; they should have interdisciplinary knowledge and be able to apply this knowledge to conduct thematic research on interdisciplinary platforms or participate in related practical work, making them composite talents who emphasize both research and application. Besides English, they should be able to use the language of the target country/region to a certain extent; in principle, they should have experience studying or conducting research in the target country. The graduation thesis should reach the level of a master's degree, with a minimum of 30,000 words.

Training Components: Based on the requirements and characteristics of area and country studies, the training components include three stages: course study, professional training, and graduation thesis writing. The course study stage should involve extensive exposure to interdisciplinary basic knowledge, accumulation of a broad range of knowledge, and mastery of relevant foreign languages; professional training refers to selecting a research direction and determining a research topic based on this broad knowledge; the thesis writing stage should involve extensive collection of materials and writing a qualified degree thesis.

The curriculum system includes three modules: regional module, language module, and professional module. The regional module involves learning about the relevant knowledge of the target country, the language module involves learning the local language of the target country, and the professional module involves conducting professional research on a specific issue in the target country. These three modules together constitute the curriculum system. Due to different module combinations, the curriculum setting for area and country studies is personalized. Besides the unified national public compulsory courses (ideological and political courses, foreign language courses) and the professional compulsory courses required for area and country studies (such as theories and methods of area and country studies, cross-cultural communication, etc.), personalized training programs should be provided for different students' requirements, with sufficient interdisciplinary elective courses to allow students to make diverse choices.

2. Doctoral Degree

Candidates should have a correct political stance, serving the motherland and the people. They should possess a solid theoretical foundation in area and country studies, proficiently master its research methods, and be familiar with the theories and methods of related disciplines. They should have the ability to independently engage in scientific research, specializing in interdisciplinary topics in certain fields based on a broad understanding of interdisciplinary knowledge and proposing meaningful and unique insights. They should be able to independently research important issues or carry out important practical work, serving as high-level composite research and applied talents. Besides English, they should be proficient in one or two languages of the target country/region; they are required to have experience studying or researching in the target country and possess strong cross-cultural communication skills. The graduation thesis should reach the level of a doctoral degree, with a minimum of 100,000 words.

Training Components: Based on the requirements and characteristics of area and country studies, the training components include four stages: course study, professional training, fieldwork in the target country, and graduation thesis writing. The course study stage should involve extensive exposure to interdisciplinary basic knowledge, accumulation of a broad range of knowledge, and mastery of relevant foreign languages; professional training refers to selecting a research direction and determining a research topic based on this broad knowledge; the fieldwork stage involves living and studying in the target country to experience the reality of that country or region; the thesis writing stage should involve extensive collection of materials and writing a qualified degree thesis.

The curriculum system includes three modules: regional module, language module, and professional module. The regional module involves learning about the relevant knowledge of the target country, the language module involves learning the local language of the target country, and the professional module involves conducting professional research on a specific issue in the target country. These three modules together constitute the curriculum system. Due to different module combinations, the curriculum setting for area and country studies is personalized. Besides the unified national public compulsory courses (ideological and political courses, foreign language courses) and the professional compulsory courses required for area and country studies (such as theories and methods of area and country studies, cross-cultural communication, etc.), personalized training programs should be provided for different students' requirements, with sufficient interdisciplinary elective courses to allow students to make diverse choices.

(V) Related Disciplines

Area and country studies is a typical interdisciplinary field, closely related to disciplines such as archaeology, Chinese history, world history, politics, Chinese language and literature, foreign language and literature, sociology, law, applied economics, journalism and communication, etc. The knowledge provided by these disciplines also serves as the knowledge source for area and country studies. Area and country studies is also related to disciplines such as education, ethnology, geography, management science and engineering, business administration, public health and preventive medicine, environmental science and engineering, etc. The research content of these disciplines related to regions and countries should also be integrated into the scope of area and country studies.

Area and country studies has clear academic boundaries and a defined connotation. It is both an interdisciplinary field and a cross-disciplinary field. Interdisciplinary research refers to the research conducted by existing disciplines on countries and regions based on their respective knowledge bases, focusing on a specific region or country to form a multidisciplinary research synergy. As a cross-disciplinary field, area and country studies is not a simple addition of existing disciplines; rather, it breaks through the boundaries of existing disciplines, integrates existing knowledge across disciplines, and grows new knowledge points and develops new integrated knowledge systems in the gaps beyond the respective boundaries of existing disciplines.

Through research in area and country studies, a comprehensive perspective on regions and countries can be formed, leading to a complete understanding of the country or region, thereby providing intellectual support for national decision-making, social thinking, and enterprise development. Compared to existing first-level disciplines, area and country studies represents an addition, where "1+1>2," forming a new understanding of the external world through multidisciplinary intersections and leading to new knowledge systems. According to the relevant policies and regulations of the newly established cross-disciplinary category by the Ministry of Education, teachers and researchers from existing disciplines can engage in research and teaching in area and country studies across disciplines, cultivating interdisciplinary students and producing new types of talents. Since area and country studies has special language requirements for target countries, the long-standing dilemma of the difficult development of non-common foreign languages is expected to be resolved. The establishment of the first-level discipline of area and country studies promotes traditional disciplines, expands their research scope, broadens their research ideas, achieves breakthroughs through intersections, and forms a win-win situation for all disciplines.

II. Requirements for a Master's Degree in Regional and National Studies

(I) Basic Knowledge Required for Obtaining a Master's Degree in This First-Level Discipline

Master's candidates should possess certain theoretical training, correct research methods, and solid professional knowledge. Specific requirements are as follows:

1. Theory and Methods

Master's candidates in Regional and National Studies should have a firm and correct political orientation, strive to learn the basic principles of Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the "Three Represents" important thought, the Scientific Outlook on Development, and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. They should thoroughly study and implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and its subsequent plenary sessions, uphold the leadership of the Party and its basic line, guidelines, and policies, love the motherland and the people, abide by laws and disciplines, have good moral character, possess excellent academic moral qualities, and have a spirit of dedication to serving the people and the cause of socialist construction.

Regional and National Studies is an interdisciplinary field. Master's candidates should learn and master the basic theories and methods of Regional and National Studies, including its disciplinary nature, research scope, research objects, research content, research methods, and research approaches. They should be able to apply theories and methods to study countries or regions, and should also draw on and understand the theories and methods of other related disciplines.

2. Basic Knowledge

Master's candidates in Regional and National Studies should understand the basic knowledge of the target country or region, including its history, geography, population, ethnicity, religion, culture, politics, economy, society, diplomacy, and other aspects. Based on this background knowledge, they should be able to use corresponding theories and research methods to conduct specialized research on a multidisciplinary platform.

3. Professional Knowledge

Professional knowledge includes the essential basic knowledge of various disciplines within Regional and National Studies, as well as the specialized knowledge required for research directions and topics. While mastering this specialized knowledge, master's candidates should also possess multidisciplinary knowledge and be able to read and understand the original documents and historical materials of the target country or region.

4. Tool Knowledge

Regional and National Studies highly emphasizes the cultivation of basic foreign language skills. Master's candidates should master English and generally be able to use the language of the target country or region to conduct academic research. They should also master the basic knowledge and methods of computer use, data statistics, electronic information, and social surveys. In principle, master's candidates should have lived and studied in the target country.

5. Related Knowledge

Regional and National Studies involves activities in various fields of human endeavor, and is therefore closely related to literature, history, philosophy, arts, politics, law, ethnology, education, sociology, management, economics, and even basic knowledge of natural sciences. Master's candidates should have an appropriate multidisciplinary knowledge background and be able to apply it to academic research.

(II) Basic Qualities Required for Obtaining a Master's Degree in This First-Level Discipline

1. Academic Qualities

Master's candidates should take serving national strategies as their mission, possessing both academic research capabilities and application transformation abilities, as well as a sense of patriotism and global vision. Based on this, master's candidates should possess the following basic qualities:

(1) Theoretical Quality

They should be familiar with Marxist theory, adhere to Marxist standpoints and a firm and correct political orientation, master the basic theories and research methods of Regional and National Studies, understand the disciplinary characteristics of Regional and National Studies, and have a certain understanding of the research history and current status of Regional and National Studies in the target country or region.

(2) Professional Quality

They should have a relatively solid professional foundation and a relatively complete knowledge accumulation in the relevant fields of the topics covered by their thesis. They should be able to search for and read relevant literature, master correct research methods, and be able to conduct independent thinking, raise questions, and solve problems based on in-depth study.

(3) Cultural Quality

They should extensively study the basic knowledge of humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, respect science and rationality, possess humanistic care and critical spirit, and abide by academic ethics.

(4) Skill Quality

They should master English and generally be able to use the language of the target country or region to conduct academic research. They should be able to use modern technological means to conduct research, and master the ability and skills to use electronic databases and the internet to collect information.

2. Academic Ethics

(1) They should abide by national laws, be honest and trustworthy, have upright academic conduct, and possess good political qualities and moral character.

(2) They should abide by academic ethics and norms, respect the labor achievements of others, and possess a sense of teamwork and cooperation.

(3) They should follow proper citation rules and emphasize the collection and use of first-hand materials.

(4) They should abide by the basic requirements of Regional and National Studies and comply with relevant confidentiality systems and disciplines.

(III) Basic Academic Abilities Required for Obtaining a Master's Degree in This First-Level Discipline

1. Knowledge Acquisition Ability

Master's candidates should master professional basic knowledge during their studies, possess the ability to read and analyze literature, understand the research achievements of predecessors, and focus on training in basic skills such as writing and expression. Based on this, they should be able to think independently and conduct research. They should possess good language proficiency in Chinese, foreign languages, and computer languages, and be able to understand accurately, express clearly, state fluently, and analyze reasonably.

2. Scientific Research Ability

They should be able to grasp the past academic development and current academic trends in Regional and National Studies, evaluate and analyze existing research results, and raise questions. Under the guidance of their supervisors, they should be able to think independently and complete thesis writing, and be able to explain their ideas systematically and clearly, forming academic papers.

3. Practical Ability

They should possess the ability to conduct field research, data analysis, collect materials, conduct oral interviews, and other practical academic work, enhancing their understanding of Regional and National Studies through practical work.

4. Academic Communication Ability

They should be able to clearly and accurately express their views, participate in academic conferences, submit special report papers, and engage in discussions and dialogues with other scholars.

5. Other Abilities

These include the ability to write research plans and conduct applied academic writing, as well as the ability to participate in cultural exchanges.

(IV) Basic Requirements for Dissertation

The master's dissertation should comply with the regulations of legal provisions such as the "Regulations on Academic Degrees of the People's Republic of China," "National Standards of the People's Republic of China for the Preparation of Scientific and Technical Reports, Degree Papers, and Academic Papers," and "National Standards of the People's Republic of China for the Citation of References." The word count should not be less than 30,000 words.

(I) Basic Knowledge and Structure Required for Obtaining a Doctoral Degree in This Discipline

Doctoral candidates should possess good theoretical training, appropriate and diverse research methods, as well as systematic and solid professional knowledge. The specific requirements are as follows:

1. Theory and Methods

Doctoral candidates in Area Studies should adhere to a firm and correct political orientation, diligently study the basic principles of Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought, and be guided by Deng Xiaoping Theory, the important thought of "Three Represents," Scientific Outlook on Development, and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. They should thoroughly study and implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and its plenary sessions, uphold the leadership of the Party and its basic lines, principles, and policies, love their country and people, abide by laws and regulations, possess good moral character, demonstrate excellent academic ethics, and have a spirit of dedication to serving the people and the cause of socialist construction.

Area Studies is an interdisciplinary field. Doctoral candidates should learn and master the basic theories and methods of Area Studies, including its disciplinary nature, research scope, research objects, research content, research methods, and research approaches. They should be able to conduct systematic, comprehensive, and in-depth research on countries or regions using these theories and methods. At the same time, they should draw on and absorb theories and methods from other related disciplines to form a multidisciplinary, multi-angle, and multi-level research perspective and way of thinking.

2. Basic Knowledge

Doctoral candidates in Area Studies should possess solid basic knowledge of the countries or regions they are studying, including their history, geography, population, ethnicity, religion, culture, politics, economy, society, diplomacy, and other aspects. Based on this background knowledge, they should be able to use corresponding theories and research methods to objectively, accurately, and comprehensively describe and analyze the development process, current situation, and specific issues of these countries or regions. Additionally, they should be familiar with effective sources of major literature, materials, data, and information, and be able to effectively acquire, organize, evaluate, and utilize first-hand and indirect research materials.

3. Professional Knowledge

Professional knowledge includes the essential basic knowledge of various disciplines within Area Studies and the specialized knowledge required for research directions and topics. While mastering these specialized knowledge, doctoral candidates should also possess relevant bibliographic and linguistic knowledge, enabling them to proficiently read, understand, translate, and analyze original documents and historical materials from the countries or regions they are studying. They should possess strong interpretation and critical thinking skills. At the same time, they should possess relevant comparative research knowledge, enabling them to conduct horizontal and vertical comparative studies between different countries or regions, reveal similarities and differences between countries and regions, and explore laws and patterns.

4. Tool Knowledge

Area Studies attaches great importance to the cultivation of basic foreign language skills. Doctoral candidates should be proficient in English and use it for academic research and communication. Additionally, they should be proficient in at least one language spoken in the target country or region and be able to read historical materials written in that language with some proficiency. They should master the basic knowledge and methods of computer use, data statistics, electronic information, and social surveys, and be able to use the latest research tools for academic research. In principle, doctoral candidates should have field research experience in the country they are studying and possess strong cross-cultural communication skills. Furthermore, they should strive to participate in learning and exchange programs in countries or international institutions where regional and country studies are more mature.

5. Related Knowledge

Area Studies involves activities in various fields of human endeavor and is therefore closely related to literature, history, philosophy, arts, politics, law, ethnology, education, sociology, management, economics, and even basic knowledge of natural sciences. Doctoral candidates should appropriately master knowledge across fields, directions, and even disciplines, making regional and country studies more extensive in scope, deeper in analysis, and more accurate in interpretation.

(II) Basic Qualities Required for Obtaining a Doctoral Degree in This Discipline

1. Academic Qualities

Doctoral candidates should take serving the national strategy as their responsibility, aiming to cultivate high-quality talents for China's international exchanges, possessing both academic research capabilities and application conversion abilities, and demonstrating a sense of patriotism and a global perspective. Based on this, doctoral candidates should possess the following basic qualities:

(1) Theoretical Qualities

They should be familiar with Marxist theory, adhere to Marxist stances, viewpoints, and a firm and correct political orientation; master the basic theories and research methods of Area Studies, understand the disciplinary characteristics of Area Studies; be aware of the characteristics, changes, and developments of various academic schools and trends related to Area Studies both domestically and internationally; and have a comprehensive understanding of the research history and current status of Area Studies in the target countries or regions.

(2) Professional Qualities

They should possess a solid professional foundation, have extensive knowledge in their research areas, be familiar with relevant literature and materials, master correct research methods, possess a broad academic perspective, and have the ability to independently raise questions and solve problems.

(3) Cultural Qualities

They should possess a relatively broad foundation of knowledge in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, respect science and rationality, demonstrate humanistic care and a critical spirit, pay attention to national needs and the development of their research objects, and adhere to academic ethics.

(4) Skill Qualities

On the basis of proficiency in English, they should proficiently master and use at least one language spoken in the target country or region to conduct international exchanges and academic research. They should pay attention to using modern technological means to conduct research and master the ability and skills to use electronic databases and the internet to collect materials.

2. Academic Ethics

(1) Abide by national laws, be honest and trustworthy, possess upright academic ethics, and have good political quality and moral character.

(2) Abide by academic ethics, adhere to academic norms, respect the labor achievements of others, and possess a spirit of teamwork.

(3) Follow citation norms and pay attention to the collection and use of first-hand materials.

(4) Abide by the basic requirements of Area Studies and comply with relevant confidentiality systems and disciplines.

(III) Basic Academic Abilities Required for Obtaining a Doctoral Degree in This Discipline

1. Knowledge Acquisition Abilities

Doctoral candidates should possess the ability to acquire literature, especially the ability to discover, collect, and organize first-hand materials from the countries or regions they are studying. They should use these materials to conduct independent and creative research and promote academic development. They should possess the ability to trace and sort through academic history, grasp the frontier dynamics of academic research in their field, collect existing research results, and make relatively accurate evaluations of their academic value.

2. Academic Discrimination Abilities

They should be able to judge the authenticity of relevant literature and possess strong identification and analysis skills. They should be able to recognize strengths and weaknesses through comparison and possess basic judgment skills regarding the academic level of various research results in Area Studies. They should understand academic trends, grasp academic frontiers, be able to judge the academic value of research topics, and understand their academic and practical significance. They should be able to effectively identify various popular trends, theories, and methods domestically and internationally and think independently.

3. Scientific Research Abilities

They should be able to independently raise original academic research questions and conduct academic research using the theories and methods of Area Studies. Under the guidance of their supervisors, they should independently complete their doctoral dissertations and research projects.

4. Academic Innovation Abilities

They should understand academic frontiers, focus on interdisciplinary studies, and engage in original academic research in their fields. Their doctoral dissertations should raise new questions, discover new materials, adopt new methods, construct new interpretations, or explore new areas, contributing to academic development and knowledge creation.

5. Academic Communication Abilities

They should actively participate in domestic and international academic conferences and activities, be able to use internationally common languages and the languages of the target countries for academic research and communication, express academic viewpoints, and present research results. They should be able to write doctoral dissertations that meet requirements and clearly and accurately express their academic thoughts and research results.

6. Other Abilities

These include the ability to write research plans, conduct applied academic writing, engage in think tank research, apply for research projects, convert research results into social outcomes, and engage in cultural exchanges.

(IV) Basic Requirements for Dissertation

The doctoral dissertation should comply with the provisions of laws and regulations such as the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Academic Degrees, the National Standards of the People's Republic of China for the Preparation of Scientific and Technical Reports, Academic Theses and Dissertations, and the National Standards of the People's Republic of China for the Citation of References. The dissertation should possess clear problem awareness, be guided by certain theoretical principles, possess a complete and reasonable structure, rich and detailed materials, in-depth and rigorous analysis and argumentation, and innovative and unique insights. The word count should generally be no less than 100,000 words.