On the morning of June 12, 2026, Meng Zhongjie, President of Shanghai International Studies University (SISU), visited the Middle East Studies Institute (MESI) to conduct a thematic research visit. He was accompanied by Sun Jian, Director of the Office of Development Planning and Comprehensive Reform; Pan Mingwei, Director of the Office of Scientific Research; and Fan Jiaqi from the Party Committee Office and the President’s Office. The visit focused on advancing the development of the MESI and engaged in in-depth discussions on how to further construct an independent knowledge system in Middle Eastern studies centered on the core concept of the “Global Middle East.”

President Meng Zhongjie pointed out that Middle Eastern studies have long been a key research strength at SISU. SISU took the lead in proposing the “Global Middle East” research paradigm at the 10th Shanghai Forum on Middle Eastern Studies; the next step should be to engage in more in-depth theoretical discussions centered on the paradigm’s core concept, theoretical implications, and research topics. The MESI of SISU serves as a practical base for the “Global Middle East” concept. At present, the institute should systematically organize and summarize the contributions made by leading scholars, headed by Professor Zhu Weilie, to the “Global Middle East” research paradigm, striving to achieve breakthrough progress at the theoretical level.

Professor Ding Jun, Director of the MESI of SISU, stated that the institute has made positive progress in advancing the “Global Middle East” research paradigm. It is currently promoting related work in a comprehensive and multidimensional manner—including the review of academic history, theoretical exploration, the planning of journal columns, the development of international academic forums, and media exchanges—to make further contributions to the construction of an independent knowledge system for Middle Eastern studies with Chinese characteristics.