In a historic move for African academia, the University of Johannesburg (UJ) has been selected as the only institution on the continent—and one of only four worldwide—to host the Comprehensive Collection of Ancient Chinese Paintings.
This prestigious scholarly archive, donated by Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China, is valued at approximately R2.2 million and marks a significant milestone in the deepening cultural and academic ties between Africa and the Global East.
The Archive by the Numbers
The collection is widely regarded as the most extensive published compilation of ancient Chinese artistic heritage in existence.
- 232 Volumes: A massive physical archive to be housed at the APK Library.
- 12,405 Reproductions: High-quality copies of paintings spanning over a millennium of Chinese civilization.
- 263 Global Institutions: The works were sourced from museums and cultural centers across the globe to create this definitive set.
Strategic Global Positioning
UJ’s selection as a global repository—alongside only three other universities worldwide—highlights the university’s rising status as a trusted custodian of international cultural resources.
University Leadership Perspectives:
- Prof. Letlhokwa Mpedi (Vice-Chancellor): Stated that the donation provides African scholars with direct access to an archive that was previously concentrated in Asia, Europe, and North America.
- Prof. Refilwe Phaswana-Mafuya (DVC: Research): Noted that the partnership reinforces UJ’s position as a “globally engaged university” and opens new pathways for comparative scholarship and interdisciplinary research across the humanities.
Impact on African Scholarship
Once fully catalogued at the Auckland Park Kingsway (APK) Campus, the collection will serve as a primary resource for:
- Interdisciplinary Research: Merging history, art, and sociology.
- Intercultural Dialogue: Strengthening the “intellectual bridges” between African and Chinese civilizations.
- Direct Access: Providing local students and researchers with world-class materials without the need for international travel.
