Jiangxi Restores Academy Masters After Century-Long Hiatus

For the first time in over a century, all five of Jiangxi Province’s major traditional academies have appointed their “Shanzhang” (山长, or masters), completing a cultural revival that began earlier this year. The final appointment took place on June 15, 2026, when Professor Liu Houbin of Beihang University received the appointment letter and seal to become the new master of Bailuzhou Academy in Ji’an, according to The Paper.

A Historic Restoration

The appointments mark the first collective restoration of the Shanzhang role since the late-Qing dynasty’s educational reforms, which converted traditional academies into modern schools over a century ago. Jiangxi Daily reported that this milestone represents a key step in the revitalization of Jiangxi’s academy culture.

“The title of Shanzhang carries the greatest weight among all my identities,” Liu Houbin said at the ceremony, gently touching the wooden seal engraved with “Master of Bailuzhou Academy.”

The Five Academies and Their New Masters

Each of the five academies has appointed a distinguished scholar to lead its revival:

Bailudong Academy (Lushan, Jiujiang) — Appointed Xie Maosong, Senior Researcher at Tsinghua University’s Institute of National Strategy, on February 10.
Ehu Academy (Qianshan, Shangrao) — Appointed Liu Qiang, Professor of Chinese at Tongji University, on May 6.
Yuzhang Academy (Nanchang) — Appointed Mao Jing, Vice President of the Jiangxi Academy Research Association, on May 29.
Lianjiang Academy (Xingguo, Ganzhou) — Appointed Wang Binglin, Dean of the Institute of CPC History and Party Building at Beijing Normal University, on March 31.
Bailuzhou Academy (Ji’an) — Appointed Liu Houbin, Professor at Beihang University, on June 15.

As reported by QQ News/Jiangxi Release, Wang Binglin said upon his appointment: “I feel deeply honored and bear great responsibility. I will live up to the mission and fully support the construction and development of Lianjiang Academy.”

Reviving a Millennia-Old Tradition

The term “Shanzhang” — literally “mountain chief” — dates back to the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, when scholars taught in seclusion on mountains and students respectfully called them by this title. During the Qing Dynasty’s Yongzheng reign (1723-1735), the government formalized the Shanzhang appointment system. For Yuzhang Academy, adjusting the Shanzhang during the Qianlong reign even required imperial approval.

Jiangxi has historically been one of China’s most important regions for traditional academies, with the largest number of surviving academy sites in the country. Bailudong Academy, founded in 940 CE, is particularly renowned as the place where the great Neo-Confucian scholar Zhu Xi taught in the 12th century, establishing educational principles that influenced academy education across East Asia for 700 years.

A Dual Mission for Modern Times

The Shanzhang appointments are part of a broader strategy outlined in the “Jiangxi Key Academies and Civilization Practice Integration Development Action Plan (2026-2028),” issued in February 2026. Each academy has simultaneously established a “New Era Civilization Practice Center,” linking traditional culture preservation with modern community engagement.

A distinctive feature of this initiative is the “dual track” approach — combining traditional elite academic culture with community-oriented cultural services. As a Jiangxi Provincial Propaganda Department official explained, the most fundamental aspect of activating traditional academies through civilization practice is “gathering people’s engagement.”

Relevance in the AI Era

The new masters are already thinking about how traditional academies can remain relevant in the modern world. Liu Qiang, the new master of Ehu Academy, addressed this directly: “Facing the era-defining question of ‘what role can academies play in the AI age’… Academies are inherently important vehicles for cultural inheritance and intellectual exchange. They should uphold the spirit of scholarly inquiry — gathering through culture, careful deliberation, and the unity of knowledge and action.”

Liu Houbin, meanwhile, emphasized his vision for Bailuzhou Academy: “Luling culture has profound heritage. I will transcend local perspectives, adopt a broader vision, and leverage the academic resources of Beihang’s Institute for Humanities to deeply explore and disseminate Luling culture.”

What’s Next

The action plan envisions creating digital content including short videos, online courses, and VR/AI immersive experiences, as well as building a “Five Major Academies New Era Civilization Practice Center High-Quality Development Alliance.” The academies are also being positioned as platforms for study tours, research programs, and cadre training, with potential economic benefits through cultural tourism under the “Follow the Academies to Tour Jiangxi” brand.

This initiative aligns with President Xi Jinping’s emphasis on the “creative transformation and innovative development” of China’s excellent traditional culture, demonstrating how ancient institutions are being reimagined for contemporary social and educational purposes.