On April 23, 2026, World Book Day, a new book launch centered on polo culture was held at the Embassy of Argentina in China, bringing together the forces of academia, culture and publishing. Polo View and Polo in China, published by the Polo Studies Center at Tianjin University, made their debut at the venue. Far beyond a regular book promotion, the event stood as a practice of fostering dialogue through academic achievements. The event drew nearly a hundred guests including diplomatic envoys from multiple countries in China, as well as professionals from cultural, sports, educational and publishing sectors, who engaged in in-depth discussions on Chinese polo culture.
Building Dual Dimensions for Polo Studies Through "Vision" and "History"
The core highlight of the launch event lies in two complementary works that interweave vision and history.
Polo View is a collaborative creation by Ms. Wang Yao, Gold Award Winner in the World Press Photo Contest, and Dr. Jackie Wang, Executive Director of the Polo Studies Center at Tianjin University. More than a mere sports photo collection, the book captures the power, speed and aesthetics of polo through over 200 striking photos, presenting a kind of visual-anthropological field record.
Polo in China serves as an in-depth "civilization history on paper." With nearly 500 images and rigorous scholarship, it systematically traces the trajectory of polo in China, from its prosperity in the Tang and Song dynasties to its evolution in modern times. It was honored as One of the Best Books of 2025 by the Sino United Publishing Group.
The former focuses on “moments of specificity,” while the latter spans “a millennium.” With this unique integration of “vision” and “history,” the Polo Studies Center has established a solid and clear academic framework for the study of Chinese polo culture.
Ahead of the launch ceremony, Dr. Jackie Wang unveiled an ambitious blueprint to the media: the French and Spanish editions of Polo in China are already in preparation.
“Polo is a universal language,” she remarked. “We aim to take this as a starting point to systematically advance the research, dissemination, and international dialogue of Chinese polo culture, turning it into a vital cultural bond connecting China and the world.”
She also noted that the Polo Studies Center is developing outreach programs for young people, including Roda polo, aiming to transform polo from a niche competitive sport into a widely accessible cultural activity for public participation.
From China to the World: Intercultural Values and a Shared Consensus
The book launch served as a platform for integrating diverse perspectives and reaching collective consensus.
Mr. Marcelo Suárez Salvia, Ambassador of the Argentine Republic, congratulated the release of the two polo books. He fully recognized the unique value of polo as a cultural bridge linking China and Argentina, and expressed expectations for further cultural exchanges between the two countries through polo in the future.
Ms. Lyu Jing, Party Secretary of the School of Humanities and Arts and Director of the Polo Studies Center at Tianjin University, stated that this body of research represents the university’s concrete effort to promote dialogue and learning among civilizations in a globalized context. She emphasized that the true strength of culture lies in sharing, and that wisdom grows through exchange.
Ms. Guan Hong, Deputy General Manager of China Intercontinental
Press, interpreted the event from the perspective of cultural symbols, pointing out that the Chinese horse culture and polo itself constitute a universal language bridging China and the world.
Through these different perspectives, the three speakers shared a clear consensus: these two publications are not only academic achievements, but also public cultural products that foster deep cultural exchange.
As author of the two books and Executive Director of the Polo Studies Center, Dr. Jackie Wang further elaborated in her keynote speech by placing polo within a broader framework of civilizational dialogue, demonstrating the communication potential of this sport as a cultural medium in contemporary society.
Building a New Paradigm of Cultural Exchange Through Books
Ms. Luan Yi, the third author of Polo in China, shared her experience of contacting and interviewing Luisa Miguens, a 79-year-old Argentine historian of polo, with the assistance of the embassy. A congratulatory video recorded by the scholar residing in Buenos Aires was played at the event, making the idea of “forging friendship through books” tangible and heartfelt. This transoceanic academic friendship became the warmest highlight of the event.
The subsequent book launch ceremony adopted “bridge” as its visual theme, symbolizing connection and new beginnings. Book signing and interactive sessions extended the exchange of ideas from the stage to the audience. Dr. Jackie Wang also engaged warmly with readers on site, sharing in-depth stories behind the creation of the books.
Forging a New Chapter of Civilizational Exchange with Polo as a Medium
On the occasion of World Book Day, this launch event delivered a remarkable cultural narrative. It demonstrated how universities can actively engage in discussions on civilizational exchange and mutual learning through academic research embodied in Polo in China and artistic expression presented by Polo View.
This was not only a showcase of a distinctive research field at Tianjin University, but also a reflection of how contemporary Chinese universities are taking on the academic mission of promoting civilizational exchange in a more professional and internationalized manner.
As the event aspired to convey, the courage, respect and spirit of collaboration inherent in polo are resonating with new vitality in the new era through the power of books.
