Taipei: The 2026 Tang Prize laureate in Sinology, Ge Zhaoguang, has expressed that his studies in Chinese history have provided him with a profound sense of "rebirth." He believes that Sinologists have a pivotal role in fostering a deeper global understanding of Chinese culture.

According to Focus Taiwan, the 76-year-old esteemed historian, who has specialized in Chinese intellectual and religious history, received the prize for his exceptional mastery of ancient Chinese thought. The Tang Prize Selection Committee for Sinology acknowledged his influential work, which spans from Chan Buddhism and Daoism to the philosophical exploration titled "What is China," highlighting his original insights and groundbreaking discoveries.

Ge's work has transcended linguistic barriers, with his publications being translated into Japanese, Korean, and English, as noted by the Tang Prize Foundation. During a recent interview with CNA, Ge described the transformative impact of Sinology on his life, likening it to a "rebirth."

Born and raised in China, Ge is now a professor at Fudan University's National Institute for Advanced Humanistic Studies and Department of History. Despite not pursuing higher education immediately after junior high, he later resumed academic endeavors, eventually studying classical philology at Peking University. He remarked that his career in Sinology offered him a life-altering opportunity.

For Ge and his peers who joined academia in the 1980s, studying traditional Chinese culture was not merely a career but a mission. They aimed to elucidate and present Chinese culture to a global audience. Ge's work focuses on identifying the "gene of Chinese history," akin to a biological gene that dictates hereditary traits, shaping China's historical evolution.

Ge emphasized the importance of understanding China's history to accurately perceive its modern identity, arguing that ignorance of history leads to misconceptions. On receiving the Tang Prize, Ge expressed deep respect for its founder, the late Taiwanese entrepreneur Samuel Yin, and highlighted his hope that the Tang Prize would promote Sinology as a central theme in international academic discourse, fostering dialogue with other cultural studies.

Ge is notably the first scholar based in China to be awarded the Tang Prize in Sinology. The prize honors research in Chinese thought, history, and related fields. Previous laureates include scholars from various countries, reflecting the award's global recognition of contributions to Sinology.

The Tang Prize, established in 2012, is a biennial accolade acknowledging significant contributions in sustainable development, biopharmaceutical science, sinology, and the rule of law.