Eighteen scholars from 15 countries including the United States and France on Tuesday completed a research visit in Beijing for overseas Sinologists.

Jointly held by the Ministry of Culture and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the visit included lectures by Chinese scholars from prestigious universities and institutes.

According to the ministry, lectures covered various themes such as China's economic and social development since the reform and opening-up and its territorial changes. The foreign scholars' in-project research touched on economy, philosophy, religion, literature, art, film and other areas.

A second round of training will begin in September, with more than 40 young overseas Sinologists attending.