China Studies Centre
The University of Sydney's China Studies Centre started operations in January 2011. It was established to provide coordination and direction to the study of China and Chinese culture at the University. Around 130 University of Sydney academic staff are engaged in the study of China. Through its 16 academic groups, the China Studies Centre facilitates cross-disciplinary collaboration between these academics. In addition to supporting research and scholarship, the Centre teaches several postgraduate programs in China Studies and interacts with business, government and community activities concerned with the study of China in both China and Australia.
Visit the past program page for 2011 for more details on speakers and links to podcasts.
2012 Distingushed Speaker Lecture Series
The Recent Development of China’s Civil Society
21 May
Professor Yu Keping, Director of the Center for Chinese Government Innovations at Beijing University
After the 30-plus years’ of reform and opening up, Chinese society has been gaining more independent space and growth momentum which have rarely been seen in Chinese history. In this presentation, Professor Yu argues, a relatively independent civil society is emerging in China thanks to the introduction of market economy and progress of democratic governance in China. Professor Yu details the categorisation, characteristics, progress and limitations as well as implications of civil society in China. In his view, the growth of China’s civil society is irreversible from the long run since a market economy and democratic system will call for a civil society in place. China’s aspiration for market economy and pledge to democracy make the development of civil society a necessity for China although it could possibly face some setbacks from time to time.
After Professor Yu's presentation he will be in conversation with Professor John Keane, Director of the Sydney Democracy Initiative and Professor of Politics at the University of Sydney.
Professor Yu Keping is Professor and Director of the China Center for Comparative Politics and Economics (CCCPE), and also Professor and Director, Center for Chinese Government Innovations, Peking University and Institute of Political Development, Tsinghua University. He currently serves as Deputy Director of Bureau of Translation of the CCP Central Committee. His major fields of expertise include political philosophy, comparative politics, globalization, civil society, governance and politics in China. His English work includes Democracy is a good thing (2009) and Globalization and Changes in China’s Governance (2008).
When: Monday 21 May, 2012
Time: 2.30 to 4.00pm
Where: Law School Foyer, Sydney Law School, Eastern Avenue
Cost: Free and open to all with no ticket or booking required. Seating is unreserved and entry is on a first come, first served basis.
2012 Past Lectures
Chinese Exceptionalism in the International Relations
14 March
Feng Zhang, Politics and International Studies, Murdoch University
Although exceptionalism is an important dimension of China’s foreign policy, Dr Feng Zhang from Murdoch University argues, it has not been a subject of serious scholarly research. In this lecture, Dr Zhang attempts to examine the manifestations and sources of contemporary Chinese exceptionalism and explain its implications for foreign policy.
Chinese exceptionalism is defined by great power reformism, benevolent pacifism, and harmonious inclusionism. While resting on an important factual basis, it is constructed by mixing facts with myths through selective use of China’s vast historical and cultural experiences. Exceptionalism does not determine policy, but by being an essential part of the worldview of the Chinese government and many intellectuals, it can become an important source for policy ideas. It can be further seen as a normative theory for China’s foreign policy, as one among six major schools competing for ideational influence in China’s foreign policy formation.
Feng Zhang is a Lecturer in the Politics and International Studies program of the School of Social Sciences and Humanities at Murdoch University. Feng works on China’s foreign relations and the international politics of East Asia, focusing on three related questions: historical East Asian politics and China’s central role in it, contemporary Chinese foreign policy especially with regard to policy ideas and grand strategy, and international relations theory from a Chinese perspective.
Listen to podcast
(MP3, 1 hour 25 mins, 39.4Mb)