First, learn Chinese. Even if you read a lot about China or live in China, you won't understand the society and the interaction around you because of the language barrier, and the language itself is part of the culture.

Second, it depends what area you most want to understand. So, pick a field and read related books. I am looking for students with a passion for Chinese studies. Only with passion will you overcome barriers, such as the language. I was older than 20 when I first tried to learn Chinese, but I liked it so much, I made it.

Guy S. Alitto professor of history at the University of Chicago

Read a lot, and be critical about what you read, even if the author is very famous or a professor you respect. It's not a good idea to just read best sellers such as China Can Say No, which is not about international politics, just a book people want to make money out of. Good books are usually not so popular. Don't read books with sensational titles, and be careful about listening to so-called experts, who think they know a lot about China. You'd be better off reading more for yourself.

Ralph Weber senior researcher and lecturer at the University of Zurich

First, you have to be interested in China and Chinese culture. And I mean really interested, not just because it will bring you business opportunities. All famous sinologists are obsessed with Chinese culture, such as the US sinologist Stephen Owen, who devoted his life to the study of ancient Chinese poetry.

Second, live in China for a while, if possible. I researched US sinologists from the 1930s, including John King Fairbank. They all had one thing in common; they all lived in Beijing for a while. Some of them started the earliest Chinese study institutes in the United States when they returned. So, I would recommend people to live in China, live with Chinese people, enjoy Peking opera, and take classes at Chinese universities. As for books, I recommend the works of Lu Xun and Chinese classics such as A Dream of the Red Mansions if you are interested in Chinese literature.

Gu Jun

professor of history at the China Research Center of Overseas Sinology

Follow your passion; there's plenty of room for people who want to study China.

Ross Terrill China specialist and research associate at Harvard's Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies

(China Daily 01/25/2013 page5)