EVENTS

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Special Theme: Understanding China in a Turbulent World: Geopolitical Contestation and Cooperation.

CONCEPT NOTE

The Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS) has been organizing the All India Conference of China Studies (AICCS) as a flagship event since 2006. Convened annually, in partnership with an institution where research and teaching in China Studies is being carried out, it is meant to generate interest in and strengthen research on China studies in India. The Conference showcases recent scholarship from universities and research institutions in different aspects of Chinese studies and has a particular theme each year. This year, the AICCS, in its 17^th edition, will be held in Manipal on 21-23 November 2024 in collaboration with the China Study Centre, Department of Geopolitics and International Relations, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (Institution of Eminence), Manipal. The Special Theme is Understanding China in a Turbulent World: Geopolitical Contestation and Cooperation.

For the last four decades of the 20^th century and up to the first decade of the 21^st century, the Asian theatre was, by and large, stable. The PRC's overriding domestic and external requirement was peace and stability to pursue its domestic economic development and modernization agenda. China took full advantage of the economic globalization underway, facilitating the flow of vast quantities of foreign investment to the PRC. Its chief strategy was to 'keep a low profile' and 'not take the lead' in international affairs, enabling it to prioritize and achieve double-digit growth for nearly three decades. Even as the American policy towards China went through various twists and turns from 'containment' to 'engagement' to 'congagement,' it was a relationship marked by the clear dominance of the US, duly recognized by the PRC.

By the end of the first decade of the 21^st century, the PRC had climbed to the position of the third biggest economy, ranked second in forex holdings, had acquired the label of the 'manufacturing factory' of the world, and had dazzled the international gathering with its technological capabilities at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. After that, the PRC's external posture and behavior observed a shift from the 'keeping a low-profile approach' to one based on the 'striving for achievement' policy. Scholars have debated the nature and implications of the impending "power transition" and have embarked on theoretical exercises to explain the structural transformation of the world order that the "rise" of China heralded. More crucially, the United States and China now appear to be on the brink of an entirely new phase of engagement, marked by (power) competition, confrontation on a host of issues, and lessening possibilities of cooperation. This rivalry will likely shape the political, military-strategic, and economic futures of the region's other countries.

Over the past decade, China has used its growing economic strength to create interdependencies with several Asian nations, thus weakening some of these nations' political affiliations with the United States. At the same time, the regional countries worry that China's growing military forays in the East and South China Seas will constrain their sovereignty and interests. Therefore, they have sought to get the United States to re-engage in Asia.  But while they want the US to counterbalance China in the region, a few of these nations are lining up alongside the United States to contain China militarily.  The growing disenchantment with the BRI is another dimension, even as China has created an impressive financial support base to facilitate the BRI, including the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, BRICS New Development Bank, and the Silk Road Fund, including participation by China's state-owned banks.

Juxtaposed with the pandemic, the 20^th Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) marked a departure from traditional politics, paving the way for a 'new era' under Xi Jinping. This development hints at China's future and has implications for the changing regional and global political landscape. What adds to this are the growing concerns over demographic challenges and slow economic growth in China.

In addition, the world is witnessing multiple theatres of regional conflicts. For instance, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, and the recently unprecedented escalation of military hostilities between the Houthis and the US in the Red Sea. There are more global risks associated with these regional wars. There is growing anxiety about whether the increasing tensions in Europe and the Middle East will snowball into a worldwide conflict.

Given this highly turbulent era due to the structural churn in world politics, the Special Theme of the 17^th AICCS would be Understanding China in a Turbulent World: Geopolitical Contestation and Cooperation. A host of rubrics are encompassed within this theme: China's Perceptions of the World Order and the role it seeks to exercise in this 'new era' under Xi Jinping; the new trends in foreign and security policy, which could encompass China's military modernization and force structure and its strategic partnerships; the PRC's new global initiatives, reflecting China's growing international discourse power and its resonance, especially within the Global South; the changing nuances in China's multilateral engagements and the leading role it seeks to acquire in climate change negotiations; and finally, the global governance of technology, keeping in mind science & technology innovation in China and its quest for energy security and strategic minerals.

The Conference will be arranged into Thematic Panels composed of individual scholars' selected abstracts/ papers (through Call for Papers). Special panels comprise selected panel proposals (through Call for Papers) and invited panels.

Key Dates:

7 March 2024: Last date for Submission of Abstracts (400–500 words)
31 March 2024: Notification of shortlisted abstracts
7 June 2024: Last Date for Submission of Full papers (5000–6000 words)
15 July 2024: Notification of selected papers with refereed input
27 July 2024： Research Methodology Workshop
15 October 2024: Last date for receiving final papers (after incorporating comments/feedback)

We have responded to all participants regarding the status of their papers. If you have not received any communication from us, please mail us at aiccs.ics@gmail.com

Format

We accept abstracts in the following formats:

1. Paper Proposals should mention “17th AICCS | Paper Proposal” in the email subject. Please submit your proposal in a word document. The document should mention the title of the paper, author/co-author’s name, institutional affiliation, email address, and a brief bio (150-200 words).
2. Panel Proposals should mention “17th AICCS | Panel Proposal” in the email subject. Panel proposal should include a title of the panel, a panel abstract, and 4 paper abstracts (with individual paper titles). Please submit your proposal in a word document. The document should also mention the name and designation of the panel convener as well as the four panelists, with their email addresses and brief bios (150-200 words).

Submission

The abstracts and panel proposals should be emailed to aiccs.ics@gmail.com, with a copy to 17thaiccs@manipal.edu.

Please note that individual abstracts and panel proposals on all China-related topics & themes may be submitted in addition to the Special Theme.

The best paper presented by a young & emerging scholar in the Thematic Panels will be given the Mira Sinha Bhattacharjee Award, with a prize of Rs.25,000/-. Selection will be made based on methodology, argument, and presentation. ICS will publish the selected paper. Further relevant information will be posted in due course on the ICS website and the MAHE website.

We are hopeful that a large contingent of young and established scholars from institutions across India and specially invited scholars of Chinese studies from abroad will participate in the event and enrich and expand the knowledge resources on China.