Social Sciences in China (Chinese Edition)

No. 2, 2025

Area Knowledge and Its Production from the Perspective of International Relations

(Abstract)

Zhao Guangrui

The production of area knowledge is a core objective of area studies. Traditional approaches either emphasize specialized disciplinary fields or prioritize policy-oriented knowledge, often overlooking the richness of area knowledge content and the diversity of its production subjects and methodologies. From an international relations perspective, area knowledge production can be categorized into academic, power-driven, and societal types based on the production subjects involved. At the inter-state level, area knowledge production is marked by both competition and cooperation, with knowledge interactions shaping the regional identities of states and their populations. The production of “Indo-Pacific” area knowledge exemplifies a major contemporary initiative led by the United States and its allies. Robust area knowledge production capabilities are crucial to a nation’s cultural soft power, diplomatic capacity, and international discourse influence. China should systematically develop autonomous and efficient mechanisms for area knowledge production and enhance its capacity in this field.