Abstract: Grounded in the ethnic characteristics of Yunnan's border region, sociology in Yunnan Province has carried forward the “Kuige Spirit” through five stages of development, achieving a series of historic accomplishments to become a leading force in sociology in western China. There remains, however, a considerable distance behind regions more advanced in this field, both domestically and internationally. In the context of advancing Chinese-style modernization and building an independent knowledge system of Chinese sociology, opportunities must be seized for sociology in Yunnan to embrace its mission by adopting a “three-dimensional” strategy that integrates the demands of national development and Yunnan's economic and social needs, the patterns and future trends of sociology development in China, and the enhancement of academic consciousness and practical initiative in the development of this discipline in Yunnan. By taking measures from five aspects–strengthening disciplinary foundations, deepening distinctive advantages, reinforcing collaborative mechanisms, enhancing service capacities, and expanding cooperation and exchanges–sociology in Yunnan can achieve new progress and better serve regional economic and social development.

Key words: sociology in Yunnan Province, discipline construction, future development, three-dimensional strategy, independent knowledge system of Chinese sociology