Group 1: Historical Development of China-India Studies - China-India studies have a long history and solid academic foundation, with early records dating back to ancient texts like "Records of the Buddhist Kingdom" and "Great Tang Records on the Western Regions" [2] - Modern interest in India was sparked by works such as Wei Yuan's "Illustrated Treatise on the Sea" and Xu Jiyu's "Brief Treatise on the Ocean," alongside official research missions during the Self-Strengthening Movement [2] - The New Culture Movement saw significant cultural exchanges, notably with Tagore's visit to China, which emphasized Eastern spiritual civilization and sparked debates in Chinese intellectual circles [2] Group 2: Current State of China-India Studies - The research community in China can be categorized into three main groups: those focusing on Indian philosophy and cultural history, those studying Indian political economy and society, and grassroots researchers driven by increasing knowledge demands [4][5] - The first group employs humanistic research methods, while the second group focuses on social science approaches, often driven by policy needs, leading to a lack of publicly available research [4] - The rise of informal research groups has been facilitated by the internet and social media, addressing gaps in knowledge supply from formal institutions [5] Group 3: Challenges and Future Prospects - The future of China-India studies appears optimistic, but challenges exist, particularly regarding the influence of social media and the need for deeper, more nuanced research [7] - Researchers must be cautious of Western comparisons that may carry geopolitical motives, emphasizing the need for objective and comprehensive studies of India [7] - There is a significant gap in the quality of research, with many scholars lacking practical experience in India, which affects the depth and applicability of their studies [8]