In the 1960s and 1970s, the "cultural turn" movement in the United States promoted the focus of humanities and social sciences on cultural issues. In the 1970s and 1980s, it was introduced to Germany and influenced ethnology, anthropology, and regional studies. Clifford Geertz regards culture as a constructible 'web of meaning', emphasizing the symbolic system of culture and the social practice attributes of ethnography. Edward Said's critique of Orientalism has sparked cultural reflection and criticism, with culture viewed as a dynamic, diverse, and practice oriented network of meaning. The research focus has shifted towards cultural exchange, power relations, and shared history, covering fields such as politics, art, and technology. The concept of homogeneous culture is neglected, while diversity and difference are valued. Cultural studies reconstruct cultural transmission and interaction between societies. Regional country studies in Germany and China are influenced by the "cultural turn", focusing on cultural diversity, contradictions, flow, transmission, transfer, and sharing, but there are differences in cultural definitions and methods.

1、 Overview of Cultural Studies under the Framework of Regional and Country Studies in China and Germany

After the Cold War, regional research in Germany experienced a "cultural turn", emphasizing multidimensional exploration of cultural concepts such as historical memory, cultural identity, and the impact of cultural practices and creative industries on regional development. Chinese scholars explore culture and literature, national identity, and emphasize the complex interaction between cultural identity, historical inheritance, and adaptation to reality. Regional research in Germany was criticized in the 1990s, but its necessity was later confirmed at the Werner Lemes Conference, emphasizing the importance of regional research in globalization. German scholars have emphasized the importance of mutual perception and exchange between Chinese and German cultures, exploring cultural differences, commonalities, and Chinese thought in philosophy. Anska Newing summarized the cultural concepts in the humanities and social sciences in Germany, including normative, holistic orientation and other types. Stephanie Ratger pointed out the desire for cultural unity and homogeneity, while there are voices opposing homogeneous culture. The German Scientific Council proposed the overall cultural concept of regional research, emphasizing culture as a dynamic process of constructing relationships. Other studies involve regions, cultural policies, innovative industries, and historical and cultural memory. German scholars attach importance to the study of China and explore the cultural allocation in the "the Belt and Road" initiative. In China's regional and country studies, Zhao Kejin and Yin Yifan explore civilization, culture, and their types, emphasizing the understanding of the relationships between different civilization models. Luo Yingwen and Qin Yurong pointed out that culture includes multiple dimensions, such as cultural identity, aesthetic categories, etc. The book edited by Zhang Weilei mentions various cultural concepts and concepts related to culture. Wu Xiao'an focuses on discussing cultural phenomena such as overseas Chinese, China, and Chinese culture. The Journal of Regional Culture and Literary Studies elucidates the close connection between literature and regional culture. Chen Yanxu and Zhang Xinxin focus on the issues of culture, mythology, and national identity, emphasizing the study of myths and beliefs in culture to understand the core of national identity. Zhang Xuan's doctoral thesis studies mythological narratives in the construction of the Israeli state.

2、 Cultural Concepts and Research Methods in Regional and Country Studies of China and Germany

Explored the different understandings and applications of cultural concepts and research methods in regional and country studies between China and Germany. Regional research in Germany has been influenced by the "cultural turn", shifting from static and closed cultural concepts to dynamic and open processes, emphasizing the fluidity and interaction of cultures. The German Scientific Council regards culture as a synthesis of human work and life forms, emphasizing the understanding of cross-cultural relationships and cultural events. China's regional and country studies closely link culture and civilization, emphasizing philosophical understanding of cultural diversity and inherent contradictions, and exploring deep logic from the perspective of civilization genes and cultural wisdom.

3、 Differences and inspirations of cultural concepts in regional and country studies between China and Germany

The commonalities of cultural concepts in regional and country studies between Germany and China include the adoption of broad cultural concepts, interdisciplinary theoretical reference, influence from "cultural turn" and "cross-cultural understanding", emphasis on cultural interpretation and translation, and emphasis on the unique values and development paths of cultural groups. The difference lies in that Germany focuses on the process of cultural transmission and transfer, while China emphasizes the study of civilization forms and cross-cultural comparisons; Germany emphasizes the deconstruction of cultural power relations, while China incorporates the Confucian cultural concept of "harmony in diversity" within the framework of historical materialism. Inspiration includes: cultural marker methods, cultural concepts in historical changes, the distinction between cultural themes and global issues, the importance of serious fieldwork and heartfelt communication like friends.

4、 Conclusion

The regional research in Germany has undergone a "cultural turn," emphasizing the multidimensional and dynamic nature of culture, using cultural marker methods and a "toolkit" perspective; China's regional and country studies focus on cultural identity and historical memory, emphasizing cultural inheritance and addressing the challenges of globalization, and emphasizing the global dissemination of overseas Chinese culture and traditional Chinese culture. Although the starting points of research in the two countries are different, they both emphasize the relationship between cultural mobility, differences, and globalization. Germany focuses on the process of cultural interaction and cross-cultural exchange, while China focuses on cultural identity and historical cultural inheritance, providing theoretical support and practical guidance for global cultural exchange and cross-cultural interaction.