The Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS) was established in 1967 on the basis of a broad conception of Chinese studies. Its activities include what is traditionally identified as Sinology, but emphasize the application of scientific methodology, characterized by quantitative and comparative approaches, and the use of experimental methods where appropriate. Areas of studies related to contemporary Chinese culture and society have also been included amongst its activities.
The objectives of the institute are to promote Chinese studies by serving as an international centre for maintaining communication and cooperation with other academic and research institutions and scholars in this field; to provide local and visiting academic members of the University with funding and research facilities; to promote the exchange of knowledge and experience in Chinese studies through publications, conferences, and research seminars; and to foster the growth of modern Chinese culture.
In the Strategic Plan 2006 of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Chinese studies has been identified as one of the five key areas for strategic research investment. In 2011, the Institute of Chinese Studies was reorganized with the goal of broadening the remit of ICS to include Chinese studies broadly defined. Twelve units from different departments and disciplines have been affiliated with ICS in order to strengthen inter-disciplinary cooperation in Chinese studies, facilitating the efforts to make CUHK a premier international hub of Chinese studies.
Under the Institute of Chinese Studies are the Art Museum, Research Centre for Translation, Centre for Chinese Archaeology and Art, T.T. Ng Chinese Language Research Centre, Research Centre for Contemporary Chinese Culture, and the D.C. Lau Research Centre for Chinese Ancient Texts, each of which maintains its own academic programme and publication activities. The following periodicals are published by the Institute and its various units: Journal of Chinese Studies, Renditions, Studies in Chinese Linguistics, Newsletter of Chinese Language, Twenty-First Century Bimonthly, The Pre-Han and Han Concordance Series, The Six Dynasties Concordance Series as well as The CHANT (CHinese ANcient Texts) Series.