From ancient water towns to neon-lit megacities, Italian scholar Dario Famularo has traversed the Chinese mainland's urban landscapes, uncovering stories of cultural resilience and modernization. As a postdoctoral researcher at Beijing Language and Culture University's Belt and Road Academy, Famularo brings a unique perspective to China's rapid development through the lens of historical exchange between Chinese and Italian civilizations.
A Mediterranean Soul in the East
Famularo's decade-long journey through 100+ cities revealed an unexpected connection: "One Chinese city felt like my Italian hometown – the same warmth in community interactions, the same passion for food as cultural identity," he shared in CGTN's East Encounters West: Talk to Sinologists series. While keeping the city unnamed, he emphasized how such discoveries challenge stereotypical East-West divides.
Sinology as a Bridge for Modern Challenges
The scholar argues that understanding China requires moving beyond headlines: "When we study Chinese philosophy or 15th-century maritime exchanges, we're not just examining history – we're decoding frameworks for addressing climate change and global inequality today." His work focuses on how historical Silk Road interactions between Chinese and Italian thinkers can inform contemporary cross-cultural collaboration.
As Asian markets gain global influence, Famularo notes: "Business leaders engaging China need more than economic data – they require cultural literacy that sinology provides." His observations come as international interest in China studies grows, with the Belt and Road Academy reporting a 40% increase in global research partnerships since 2020.
