Xu Guirong pictured revising manuscript [Photo by Xiao Heyong/xinhuanet.com]

Xu Guirong, a Taiwan youth, has made remarkable strides in his academic journey, transitioning from a complete novice in archaeology to a key player in tracing the origins of the Austronesian peoples. His path to this accomplishment began unexpectedly through a legal dissertation.

Xu Guirong pictured proofreading manuscript [Photo by Xiao Heyong/xinhuanet.com]

In 2012, while pursuing his PhD in law at the China University of Political Science and Law, Xu was introduced to Pingtan Island by his supervisor, who recommended him to study its institutional framework. Pingtan, the largest island in Fujian Province and the closest place on the mainland to the island of Taiwan, was then developing into a common homeland for both sides of the Taiwan Straits.

Xu Guirong pictured collecting information on cultural relics at the Keqiutou Site Museum [Photo by Xiao Heyong/xinhuanet.com]

Xu first set foot on Pingtan in 2014 and, after conducting field research, authored and published a thesis titled "Legal Institutional Construction of the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone from a Cross-Straits Perspective" in Taiwan. The favorable policies and environment in Pingtan sparked Xu's interest in settling down and starting a business there. In September 2016, he founded a business consulting firm in Pingtan, where he established his roots.

Xu Guirong pictured introducing cultural relics to visitors at the Keqiutou Site Museum [Photo by Xiao Heyong/xinhuanet.com]

In 2020, driven by his passion for history, Xu was appointed as the vice president of the Pingtan International Austronesian Research Institute, primarily responsible for administrative management and establishing regulations for the newly established research institute.The Austronesian peoples, one of the most widespread language groups in the world, have long been a focus of academic inquiry regarding their origins, diffusion, changes, and dissemination, serving as a significant topic in the construction of Pacific civilizations and the project to trace the origins of Chinese civilization.

Xu Guirong pictured checking the cultural and creative products on display at the Keqiutou Site Museum [Photo by Xiao Heyong/xinhuanet.com]

Despite his background in law, Xu embraced the challenge of transitioning into archaeology. "I'm still an archaeology novice, but I have a mission that drives me to keep studying," he said. In addition to fulfilling his administrative duties and supporting archaeological research, Xu continuously learned professional knowledge and referred to academic works when encountering difficulties, gradually accumulating experience and making progress.

Xu Guirong pictured learning about the process of cultural relics restoration [Photo by Xiao Heyong/xinhuanet.com]

Over the past year, Xu led the compilation of the "International Austronesian Studies Literature Directory Index," a comprehensive collection and classification of research literature on Austronesian studies worldwide. This directory, expected to be released in 2025, will serve as a convenient reference tool for scholars and experts in the field. Xu hopes that through systematic research, descendants of the Austronesian peoples can trace their cultural roots, finding spiritual sustenance and remembrance.

(Source: xinhuanet.com)