From Mexico to Brazil, from Ancient China to New Confucianism: Sinological Studies in Latin America

The paper presents a general framework of the beginnings and development of sinological studies in geographically, politically and culturally very diverse Latin America, and highlights current issues and trends therein. In the 21st century the fast-growing relationship between China and Latin America is reflected in the accelerated creation of diverse economic-political, academic and educational institutions, publications and in the organization of numerous international conferences and scientific symposia. The study analyses the development of Confucian Studies first, through reviewing the most important translations and publications of the 20th century in connection with "the intellectual movement" in Latin America, and, second, through an illustrative commentary on the most renowned scientific articles and monographs. The study initially focuses on Mexico, the country with the longest sinological tradition in Latin America, where the Centro de Estudios de Asia y Africa at El Colegio de Mexico is still regarded to be one of the most prominent Latin American centres for Asian and African Studies. The focus then shifts to Brazil, which seems, of all the countries in Latin America, to have the least well-established tradition in Chinese studies and Confucianism. The central premise of sinological and Confucian studies in these two countries is presented through the prism of major studies of two modern sinologists, Chen Yong ( El Colegio de Mexico) and Andre Bueno ( Universidade do Estado de Rio de Janeiro).