Dear colleagues and friends,

On a grand occasion of 36th IIS Congress being held in Beijing, I feel very glad and wish it success.

I studied in England when I was young, and have done sociological research and education for more than seventy years, witnessing the whole course of Chinese sociology from its beginning to development. In the 1930s and 1940s, Chinese sociologists actively made Community Study, combining Western social theories with field works in China that had made some influences in a circle of world sociology. An accelerated process of social transformation has become rich earth basing a development of Chinese sociology since 1970s. In the recent 25 years Chinese sociologists have been making efforts to give replies to great problems in social development and social change, and have made many valuable academic achievements and bring up many young sociologists. Now globalization is making Chinese sociology melted in international society.

This time sociologists from all over the world gather in Beijing and conduct this great congress. I am 94 years old and cannot be present at the congress, but my heart is closely connected with sociology and with the congress. I hope the congress will enhance cooperation and communication between Chinese and foreign sociologists, and initiate a new vision of sociology development of the world.

Fei Hsiao-t’ung

Former Vice Director, the National People’s Congress

First Director, Institute of Sociology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

Professor, Peking University

(China.org.cn July 7, 2004)