Ma Shi And His Chinese Studies

Since the 20th century,the paradigm of Chinese studies in the western world has shifted.Before the 19th century,the center of the global academic network was in France,and after the 20th century,the center gradually moved to the United States.In this process,Chinese studies also changed from sinology to China study.China studies in the sinology era were mostly centered on classical culture,and China’s participation in the modern world made it necessary for scholars to understand the changes of this imperial empire after the communication between China and the west.As a result,a number of research institutions concerned with the currentproblems of China were established,and classical sinology was gradually transformed into sinology concerned with current events.The object of this paper is just one of the first scholars to join this trend.Hosea Ballou Morse,a well-known Sinologist in the United States,served in the Chinese imperial Maritime Custom for 35 years.He is not only Robert Hart’s confidant,but also China’s modern economic history,diplomatic history research pioneer.Most importantly,he produced one of Amer:ica’s most famous China experts,John King Fairbank.From the perspective of his life trajectory,Morse started from the customs,followed the customs’tentacles to travel all over the Chinese coastal areas,and once went deep into the interior of the empire.After retirement,he went to Britain to concentrate on writing books.This paper will dig into Morse’s connection with Chinese studies,and deeply analyze his research theories and achievements,in an effort to restore the life course of such a customs Sinologist,and further sort out his academic context and pedigree.