Written in bone: China bets on ancient scripts for modern soft power

China has established an institute at the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (UCASS) in Beijing to preserve endangered historical disciplines, bolstering the nation's soft power and national narrative. The institute, which opened its doors on Friday, includes an association to consolidate nationwide resources for the study of rare and endangered scripts, such as Tangut and Old Tibetan, as well as oracle bone inscriptions dating back over 3,000 years.

These ancient scripts hold significant cultural value but face the risk of being lost, as many specialists are currently lacking. Developing expertise to decipher these scripts could take more than a decade, and China currently has only around 500 researchers working on ancient Chinese writing. The institute's dean, Zhan Long, stated that the institute aims to train specialists, address gaps in expertise, and ensure the continuity of cultural heritage.

This move follows a decade of efforts to support vulnerable areas of ancient culture, particularly in recent years as Beijing seeks to strengthen its narrative on history and counter Western perspectives. Research into ancient scripts can provide historical evidence and legal support for territorial claims and boundary demarcation, while also defending China's cultural voice against distorted narratives.

The institute offers an integrated bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programme, along with a laboratory for digital research, to support long-term research in these specialised fields.