Taipei: Ge Zhaoguang used his platform as the 2026 Tang Prize laureate in Sinology on Saturday to encourage historians to broaden their perspective and focus on identifying pivotal moments that shape history's course. In a 50-minute address at the Tang Prize Laureate Lectures in Taipei, Ge highlighted the distinct nature of historical research compared to scientific research, which he noted is defined by "continuous progress."

According to Focus Taiwan, Ge Zhaoguang is the first China-based scholar to receive the Tang Prize in Sinology, which recognizes research on China and related fields such as Chinese thought, history, and religion. Ge, a 76-year-old historian known for his work in Chinese intellectual and religious history, emphasized that historical research requires looking at ancient documents both closely and within a broader context. He cited key moments in Chinese history like the 1258 Great Debate and the Ming Dynasty's loss of control over Annam in 1427 as examples of pivotal events.

The Tang Prize Foundation explained that Ge's influence extends beyond the Chinese-speaking world, with translations of his work available in Japanese, Korean, and English. The Tang Prize, established in 2012 by Taiwanese entrepreneur Samuel Yin, honors significant contributions in sustainable development, biopharmaceutical science, sinology, and rule of law. The Tang Prize Selection Committee for Sinology praised Ge for his mastery of ancient Chinese thought and his original insights in the field.