With the increasing roles played by Malaysia in international arena and rapid development of Sino-Malaysian relations, Xiamen University has decided to establish Institute of Malaysian Studies in April, 2005, with the aim of further promoting the development of this academic field. In addition to research, it will also organize different kinds of academic activities and exchanges. Its rich collection on Malaysia and Southeast Asia as a whole will be open to both Chinese and foreign scholars.

In order to celebrate its establishment, an academic conference on "Malaysia and Sino-Malaysian Relations" will be held on campus of Xiamen University on April 6 and 7, 2005. It will be a good opportunity for both Chinese and foreign scholars who have been conducting research on Malaysia to exchange their findings and insights in their research, and further direct contacts and academic exchanges. As the first conference organized by this Institute, it is to cover a wide range of topics under the overall general scope of the conference. The themes include Malaysian politics, economy, history, international relations, culture, and Sino-Malaysian relations. The final thematic sessions will depend on confirmed papers.

We look forward to active response from academic circle both at home and abroad.

Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Xiamen University