The Chinese Association of Middle East Studies

　　The Chinese Association of Middle East Studies was established in July 1982 in Kunming, Yunnan province. A total of 91 experts and scholars on the Middle East from 42 scientific research institutions, universities and colleges, and foreign affairs departments attended the conference. Huan Xiang, head of the international affairs research center of the state council, and Liao Gailong, deputy director of the party history research office of the CPC central committee, made reports on the international and domestic situations respectively at the congress. The congress elected the first council of 18 members and adopted the charter of the Chinese Association of Middle East Studies.

　　The purpose of the Chinese Association of Middle East Studies is to promote the study of politics, economy and trade, history, geography, ethnicity, religions, and culture in the Middle East, and to raise the academic level of Middle East studies; to promote academic exchanges and cooperation between China and the countries in the Middle East and other countries, so as to enhance the understanding of the Chinese people on the Middle East region and the friendly relations between the Chinese people and the peoples of other countries in the Middle East; to serve China's economic opening and foreign affairs.

　　The honorary president of the first council of the Chinese Association of Middle East Studies was Huan xiang, the president is Liao Gailong, and the vice presidents are Fang Dezhao, Liu Jing, Shen Xiexi, Zhang Junyan and Zhou Zekui. From the second session to the seventh session, the presidency was successively assumed by Liao Gailong, Liu Chun, Yang Fuchang and Yang Guang. The current (eighth) council  president is Yang Guang, vice president and secretary-general is Wang Lincong.

　　Since its establishment, the Chinese Association of Middle East Studies has held eight national congresses, making important contributions to promoting China's Middle East studies and international academic exchanges.