Understanding "World Literature" in China Today

This essay will analyse how Goethe's "Weltliteratur" is interpreted and re-invented in China in the twenty-first century mainly by reviewing selective essays published in the Chinese journal Comparative Literature in China. The analysis reveals how Chinese scholars strive to engage actively in the international discussions of the concept and to chart a map of world literature by offering Chinese perspectives. One such attempt is to trace a parallel development line of similar ideas in Chinese literary history whereas another is to emphasize the position of Chinese literature in the picture of world literature, especially by incorporating overseas Chinese literature into comparative literary studies with the intention to enlarge the scope of reference of Chineseness. These attempts reflect the growing confidence of Chinese scholars to secure our position in the global development of world literature and world literature studies.