As part of Fudan University’s 120th anniversary celebrations, the Library of the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University (IIS Fudan Library) is proud to present one of its most unique and historically rich collections—the Latin American Studies Collection (LASC). This collection, inherited from the former Latin American Studies Library at Fudan, was officially integrated into the IIS Fudan Library system in October 2024. It represents over sixty years of scholarship and international engagement.
I. Six Decades of Scholarship: The History Behind the Collection
The Latin American Studies Library was established in 1964, alongside Fudan’s Research Office for Latin American Studies, which was then part of the Department of History. In 2000, the office became part of the newly founded Institute of International Studies, and in 2025, it was formally renamed the Center for Latin American Studies.
This collection has grown steadily over the decades, thanks to the dedication of early scholars such as Cheng Bohong, Li Feng, Fang Youfeng, Liu Wenlong, Chen Caixing, Wang Guozhen, Zhang Lianjuan, Zhu Hongbo, and others. It is now considered one of the most comprehensive Latin American studies collections in Chinese universities.
Much of the collection was built with support from China’s Ministry of Education and acquired through international book importers. The early focus was on topics such as the Cuban Revolution, U.S. foreign policy in Latin America, armed movements in the region, and Soviet involvement. In later years, the emphasis shifted to economic development and modernization in Latin American countries. Additional materials were added through generous donations from partner institutes and alumni.
II. A Rich and Multilingual Collection
The Latin American Studies Collection includes nearly 3,000 foreign-language books, primarily in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, along with selected titles in Russian and Japanese. These materials fall into two main categories.
The first focuses on the history, politics, economy, society, and culture of Latin American countries. The history section features works on the Mexican Revolution, Venezuela’s economic history, the history of Peru, and the colonial Caribbean. Political studies explore Latin American populism, regional political theory, and the nature and dynamics of state power in the region. Economic literature addresses key themes such as the challenges of dependency-based development, financial crises, Brazil’s economic transformation, and the processes of urbanization across Latin America.
The second category centers on Latin America's international relations, especially with major global powers such as the United States and the former Soviet Union. Topics include the U.S. Good Neighbor Policy, the evolution of Western Hemisphere security architecture, and Soviet maritime activity in the Caribbean.
(Photo: Highlights from the foreign-language collection)
In addition, the LASC houses over 1,000 Chinese-language books. Many are original works or translations produced by early scholars from Fudan’s Research Office for Latin American Studies. During the 1960s and 1970s, under the leadership of founding scholar Cheng Bohong, important texts such as Che Guevara’s Bolivian Diary, Castro and Cuba, and Nationalism and Capitalism in Peru were translated and published by the Shanghai Translation Publishing House. These works became foundational resources for Cold War-era Latin American studies in China. In the 21st century, newer publications like U.S. Policy Toward Latin America after the Cold War and Globalization, Nationalism, and Latin American Thought and Culture reflect a shift in academic focus toward globalization and regional transformations.
(Photo: Highlights from the Chinese-language collection)
Also notable are two special Chinese-language serials: the Latin American Issues Translation Series and Latin American Issues Materials, both of which compiled key articles from international newspapers and journals over more than 20 issues. In addition, the Reference Materials series includes over 1,000 volumes of press clippings, offering a micro-level archival record of Latin America-focused scholarship and current affairs.
(Photo: Press clipping archive from Latin American press)
The Chinese-language collection also includes translated academic texts such as A History of Latin America, An Outline of Modern Mexican History, A History of Chile, An Outline of Argentine History, A History of Modern Peru, and A History of the Caribbean Region.
The LASC’s periodical section contains more than 50 foreign-language journals and magazines. These include leading academic publications such as Foreign Affairs, CEPAL Review, Latin American Research Review, Latin American Perspectives, Economic Survey of Latin America, Journal of Interamerican Studies and World Affairs, Cuadernos Americanos, and The Hispanic American Historical Review. The collection also features popular magazines and newspapers from Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Cuba—including Veja, Bohemia, Comercio Exterior, Visión, Ercilla, Somos, The Review of the River Plate, and NACLA.
(Photo: Foreign-language journals and periodicals)
As of May 2025, the full collection has been catalogued and is now open to scholars from China and abroad. Located in Room 301 of the Humanities Building on Fudan’s Handan Campus, the Latin American Studies Collection stands as a valuable resource for academic research and teaching.
The Institute of International Studies plans to further utilize this unique archive to support Latin American studies in China and to foster deeper international exchange. With more than 60 years of history, the collection continues to serve as a bridge for scholarly dialogue between China and the Latin American world.
Full text in Chinese available at: https://iis.fudan.edu.cn/37/39/c6840a735033/page.htm
More information on IIS Fudan Library: https://iis.fudan.edu.cn/en/library/list.htm
