2006 Changjiang Distinguished Professor in the 10th batch by the Ministry of Education
2004.4 Professor, Department of History, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Tsinghua University
1994.12 Professor, Department of History, Nankai University (returned to China in August of the same year)
1992.4 Professor, Institute of Sinology, Trier University, Germany (reappointed as a professor in 1996-1998)
1989.8 Started studies as an Alexander von Humboldt Scholar in Germany
1988.8 Conferred a doctorate after completing the on-the-job studies (the first postgraduates under his supervision enrolled in the same year)
1987.5 Promoted to Associate Professor
1983.8 Promoted to Lecturer