Organiser:

School of Contemporary Chinese Studies, University of Nottingham

Co-organisers:

John L Thornton China Center, Brookings Institution, Washington

Policy Advisory Committee, China Western Returned Scholars Association, Beijing

Crawford School of Economics and Government, Australian National University

Sponsors:

The University of Nottingham

The Leverhulme Centre for Research on Globalisation and Economic Policy (GEP)

The Office of the Chinese Language Council International

Routledge Publisher  

1. Background

China’s rapid emergence as a global economic power has created strong demand throughout the world for cutting-edge research and policy analysis on contemporary China. This international forum is to be established to bring together key research institutions, scholars, policy makers and industry leaders world-wide to form a platform aimed at facilitating the exchange of research and policy ideas related to China and its impact.

To mark the establishment of this Forum, the University of Nottingham, the Brookings Institution, the Policy Advisory Committee of the China Western Returned Scholars Association as well as China Overseas Returnees Scholars Network are hosting an inaugural conference to be held 19-21 November 2008 at the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom.

The University of Nottingham is a world-class university; it is currently ranked as a top-10 university in the UK and among the top 70 world-wide. The School of Contemporary Chinese Studies, including its China Policy Institute and its Confucius Institute, has become one of the largest and strongest research centres on Contemporary China in the UK and Europe.

Following this inaugural conference, an annual conference will be held in different parts of the world, including China, Europe and the United States of America.

2. Themes

The central theme of the conference is the exploration of the dynamics, trends and policy issues affecting China’s sustainable development after three decades of reform. Scholars and PhD students are invited to submit papers on, but not limited to, the following subjects:

·        Globalisation and China’s economic and business development

·        China’s rise and international relations

·        Roles of science and technology in China’s sustainable development

·        Social justice, sustainability and policy interventions

Other relevant topics and panel suggestions are also welcome. 

3. Guest Speakers

Many leading figures and known scholars have been confirmed to present papers or deliver keynote speeches including:

·        Her Excellency Madam FU Ying, Ambassador of the Chinese Embassy, UK 

·        Professor David Greenaway, Vice-Chancellor elect of University of Nottingham

·        Sir David Brewer, Chairman, China-Britain Business Council, UK

·        Professor Wing Thye WOO, the Brookings Institution, USA

·        Professor Shujie YAO, University of Nottingham, UK

·        Professor WANG Huiyao, Western Returned Scholars Association, China

·        Professor Yongnian ZHENG, University of Nottingham, UK

·        Professor Jon Sigurdson, The Stockholm School of Economics, Sweden

·        Professor Peter HO, University of Groningen, the Netherlands

·        Professor David Norse, University College London, UK

·        Professor Jun ZHANG, Fudan University, China

·        Professor Yang YAO, Beijing University, China

4. Conference organising committee:

Professor Shujie YAO (Chairman, University of Nottingham)

Professor Wing Thye WOO (Brookings Institution)

Professor WANG Huiyao (China Western Returned Scholars Association)

Mr. Richard Pascoe (University of Nottingham)

Dr Bin WU (University of Nottingham)

Conference secretary general, Dr Bin WU

Conference administrator, Miss Davina Malcolm

5. Outcomes

All papers will be considered for initial publication as working papers in the China Policy Institute (CPI) Discussion Paper Series. Selected papers will be considered for inclusion in an edited volume to be published by Routledge as part of its China Policy series.  It is also planned to produce a special issue of a leading Chinese studies journal based on other papers submitted.

6. Registration

All attendants should register online or send a completed registration form to the conference organiser by post or email. Standard registration fee is £95. A discounted rate for early registration is £70 for those who register before 31 August 2008. The registration fee for PhD students is £40.

7. Deadlines

·        Submission of abstracts of no more than 300 words           30 September 2008

·        Early registration (online or by email)                 31 August 2008

·        Submission of full papers                                  31 October 2008

·        The draft programme                               31 October 2008

8. Contact

For abstract/paper submission:            sustainable-conference@nottingham.ac.uk

For enquiries and further details: Dr Bin Wu, bin.wu@nottingham.ac.uk

Web address:                             www.nottingham.ac.uk/chinese