On September 2, Professor Ni Shixiong, renowned international relations expert and former Deans of Fudan University's School of International Relations and Public Affairs as well as Institute of International Studies, passed away in Shanghai at the age of 84. On September 6, a memorial service for him was held in Shanghai.
Prof. Ni was one of the pioneers in introducing Western international relations theories to China and laid the groundwork for the development of international relations theory in the country. His main research interests included international relations theory, U.S. foreign strategy and policy, and China-US relations. He published over 20 books and authored more than 150 academic papers during his esteemed academic career.
Life begins at 40
In 1964, Ni Shixiong graduated from Fudan University's Department of English Language and Literature and stayed on to teach. In 1972, he transitioned to the Department of International Politics, beginning his career in teaching and research in the field of international politics.
The year 1980 marked a significant turning point in Ni Shixiong's life. At the age of 40, he became one of the first scholars from China's mainland to be admitted to the Harvard-Yenching program to further his studies at Harvard University. There, he learned from and studied with international relations theory scholars such as Stanley Hoffmann, Joseph Nye, Samuel Huntington, and Karl Deutsch, whose academic thoughts and research methods influenced him profoundly. During his one-year study on Harvard campus, Ni Shixiong focused on international relations theory studies, one of the most challenging fields, enriched his knowledge and laid the cornerstone for his subsequent academic research.
Upon his arrival at Harvard, even though with limited initial understanding of Western international relations theories, Ni never flinched from the challenges and difficulties, instead, it fueled his motivation for in-depth research and continuous learning. During a chance visit to a movie theater, he watched Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears, which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film that year. The film's protagonist, Katsia, faced numerous life challenges at the age of forty, demonstrated an indomitable spirit and a positive attitude, ultimately achieved great success. The film's line Life begins at 40 deeply resonated with Ni, making him realize that age is never a barrier to the pursuit of academic life and fulfillment of dream.
In academia, achieving outstanding results while maintaining a humble and introspective attitude is a rare quality. Ni was indeed such a scholar. Despite his globally recognized academic achievements, he never shied away from acknowledging his shortcomings and challenges in academic exploration.
In his interactions with students, Ni also frequently expressed a profound understanding of the importance of academic foundations: I only had the opportunity to study abroad at the age of 40, slowly exploring how to conduct research and write papers. My conditions and foundation were much worse than yours. Therefore, you must seize opportunities and redouble your efforts to achieve greater success. His words reflected not only a self-effacing review of his own outstanding academic career but also a sincere hope and encouragement for the younger generation of scholars.
Dedication to Sino-American Friendship: A Citizen Diplomat
For decades, Prof. Ni dedicated himself to the study of international relations, devoting all his energy and passion to in-depth analysis and theoretical exploration of international political trends. His seminal work, Contemporary Western International Relations Theory（《当代西方国际关系理论》）, is a comprehensive and systematic exposition of Western international relations theory and the culmination of his decades of academic exploration. The book reviews the historical origins and modern development of Western international relations theory, focusing on three major debates in the history of international relations theory. The second edition of the book further provides a detailed critique of nearly ten major Western schools, their representative figures, and dozens of influential theoretical viewpoints, including Wilsonian idealism, Morgenthau's realism, Waltz's neorealism, and Wendt's constructivism, offering readers a panoramic view of international relations theories.
In 2009, his book A Promise of Friendship, A Journey of a Thousand Miles–Thirty Years of Sino-American Relations Through the Eyes of a Chinese Scholar（《结交一言重，相期千里至——一个中国学者眼中的中美建交30年》）was officially published. This work is not only a precious record of the extraordinary journey of the first thirty years of Sino-American relations but also a heartfelt memoir of his role as a citizen diplomat. The book, with its rich historical materials, vivid personal experiences, and profound analytical reflections, has been loved by a wide range of readers and highly recognized by the academic community.
It is worth mentioning that the book provides a detailed account of the visit of then-US President Ronald Reagan to Fudan University on April 30, 1984. It vividly recreates Reagan's impromptu interaction with students in classroom 3108 and his speech in the auditorium. President Reagan's trip to Fudan University was not only successful and fruitful, but also profoundly influenced Ni's subsequent dedication to promoting Sino-American friendship.
To complete this work, Ni invested thirty years in collecting and accumulating relevant materials, and dedicated another three years for writing and publication. A detail, that the initial draft of 610,000 words was handwritten by him, is enough to display his deep emotional attachment and rigorous attitude towards this masterpiece.
A grandfatherly figure known as “Mr. Ni”
During the 1990s, under Ni’s leadership, the Center for American Studies at Fudan University held international security seminars for several consecutive years, inviting American experts and scholars to lecture and train young research talents, cultivating a large number of outstanding researchers in Sino-American relations. Despite the passage of many years, these seminars are still widely praised, and many participants have become leading figures in their respective fields.
As a scholar with a background in foreign language, Ni Shixiong placed special emphasis on introducing original American international relations theory works to China. After returning from his studies at Harvard, instead of using his savings to buy scarce household appliances in China at the time, he invested everything in bringing back boxes of books that were crucial for education and research. These original works in English not only served as textbooks but also as reference books, of great help to Chinese scholars' professional foreign language proficiency and accurate understanding of international theories.
He always believed that understanding international theories was only the first step; more importantly, it was necessary to critically assess and innovate on that understanding. He advocated for the construction of a Chinese-characterized international relations theory and, with great theoretical courage, dedicated himself to the establishment and development of China's international relations discipline. His academic works have contributed to the development of China's international relations discipline and paved the way for the construction of an independent Chinese knowledge system in China.
Prof. Ni not only guided numerous master's and doctoral students but also insisted on teaching undergraduate courses for decades. In the classroom, Ni Shixiong always listened attentively to every student's speech and took detailed notes. He was not only good at discovering students' strengths and potential but also able to point out students' shortcomings tactfully and accurately, guiding them to find directions for self-improvement. This teaching philosophy, which respects students' individual feature and focuses on their comprehensive development, made his classroom a paradise for students' academic exploration. His patient, gentle and nurturing teaching style left an unforgettable and profound impression on all of his students, who used to call him “Grandpa Ni”.
Prof. Ni's life is a portrayal of his unwavering loyalty and love for academic research and the educational cause. His prominent academic achievements and magnificent contributions to China's international relations studies will be remembered in the annals of Chinese academia.
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Presented by Fudan University
Writer: WANG Mengqi
Editor: Li Yijie
Designer: CHEN Shuyang
