CHERN is organizing another joint working group conference, this year in Amsterdam on 7 and 8 Sept, hosted by Vrije Universiteit. The programme consists of a series of roundtables, keynotes and intensive workshops and networking opportunities organized by the CHERN Working Groups. The topic of the event is: China-Europe: Reconnecting in an Era of Competition and Rivalry?
The draft program of the event as well as the open calls for submission of applications to participate are given below.
New details will be added in the coming weeks and months.
Note that participants will be selected and invited based on their application, on the basis of appropriate fit and expertise with the respective workshop theme and aim, and attentive to inclusiveness policies of COST and CHERN. Invited participants are eligible for financial reimbursement for travel and living costs according to COST rules for the whole conference.
You are also very welcome to participate as an observer member (i.e. without contribution and without reimbursement).
Looking forward to meeting you in Amsterdam this fall!
The deadline to apply for all workshops is June 1st
You have
left to apply!
WG1: Rising power, limited influence: Global China and the Liberal International Order
WG1: Chinese investment in Europe, The Environmental cost of investment
WG2: Green and Digital Transitions: Opportunities and Challenges for Europe and China
WG4: China Research in the Media
WG4: Evidence and Controversies around China’s Political Presence in Europe
Draft Programme CHERN Joint WG Conference Amsterdam, VU 7-8 September 2023
China-Europe: Reconnecting in an Era of Competition and Rivalry?
September 7, 2023
08:15-09:00
CHERN Policy Outreach Breakfast meeting (hybrid): Diplomatic and economic de-risking – a promising new China strategy of the European Union?
Moderator: Tim Rühlig
Speakers: N.N. European External Action Service, China Division; Janka Oertel, Director of Asia Program, European Council on Foreign Relations (tbc): Justyna Szczudlik, Deputy-head of Research, Polish Institute of International Affairs
09:00-09:30
Registration and coffee
09:30-09:45
Welcome by Dean of VU Faculty of Social Sciences Gregor Halff
09:45-10:00
Opening words - CHERN, Nana de Graaff
10:00-11:15
Roundtable I – Global China and ‘the West’: Europe Reconnecting or heading for a Second Cold War?
Moderators: Nicholas Jepson & Jeffrey Henderson
11:15-11:45
Networking coffee/tea break
11:45-13.00
Roundtable II – Challenges to Sino-European Research Collaboration in an Era of Competition and Rivalry
Moderator: Agota Revesz
Speakers: Cai Yuzhuo, Tampere University; Klaus Mühlhahn, Zeppelin University; further speakers TBC
13:00-14:00
Lunch
14:00-16:00
Parallel Working Group Workshops I
WG1: Rising power, limited influence: Global China and the Liberal International Order
China’s resurgence has spawned anxieties about an impending revision of the Liberal International Order. How do Chinese investments in Europe enable it to shape world order? Drawing on case studies from across Europe, the contributors to this volume investigate the ways in which China translates its growing resources into effective influence, with varying degrees of success. They find that influence is most effectively achieved by harnessing the agency of states and societies in Europe towards China’s preferences. Fragmented and messy rather than unified and coherent, these preferences comprise an amalgam of domestic, regional and international considerations rather than aimed at revising world order. Nevertheless, as the contributors to this volume demonstrate, the interaction of European agency and Chinese preferences could have a variety of unintended consequences that range from straining the Liberal International Order to strengthening it. Against narratives that foreground inevitable conflict or assured cooperation, the volume innovates a dynamic framework to understand the granular ways in which states and societies in Europe interact with state and society in China to (re-)shape the Liberal International Order.
Convenors:
Indrajit Roy (University of York) & Agnes Szunomar (Corvinus University of Budapest)
Speakers:
Speakers: Ran Hu (Open University) (tbc), Agnes Szunomar (Corvinus University, Budapest), Małgorzata (Gosia) Jakimów (Durham University), Dmitrios Stroikos (LSE) (tbc), Simona Davidescu (University of York), Jappe Eckhardt (University of York), Indrajit Roy (University of York) (CHAIR)
A selection of contributing authors of the Oxford University Press volume Rising Power, Limited Influence: The politics of Chinese investments in Europe and the Liberal International Order, edited by Dr. Indrajit Roy, Dr. Jappe Eckhardt, Dr. Simona Davidescu (all at York) and Dr. Dmitrios Stroikos (LSE) will give short presentations of their chapters.
We are inviting select contributors to make very brief presentations of related work and/or to participate in the discussion. Proof versions of author chapters will be shared in advance of the workshop to all participants of the workshop.
Please submit a recent CV plus 100-200 words on your research interests and how they relate to the theme of the workshop to: agnes.szunomar@uni-corvinus.hu
WG2: Green and Digital Transitions: Opportunities and Challenges for Europe and China
The green and digital transformations have the potential of making countries more resilient and sustainable, while at the same time opening new business opportunities for companies. Nevertheless, there is still not enough overlap in the policy arena of environmental sustainability and digitalization. The urgency of better understanding the interactions between the green and digital transitions is clearly indicated in the 14th Five-Year Plan highlighting high-quality green development and emphasizes innovation as the core of modern development, also stressing that China is entering a new phase of accelerated digitized development.
Against this backdrop, the section aims at investigating the following topics:
- Chinese and European initiatives to support the green and the digital transitions
- How the knowledge base of green digital technologies develops in the EU and in China
- Existing knowledge in green and digital technologies in the EU countries and in China
- Main policy programs adopted to strengthen the knowledge base in the two areas.
Convenors:
Roberta Rabellotti (Universita di Pavia), John Seamann (IFRI), Agnieszka McCaleb (SGH Warsaw School of Economics)
Speakers:
TBA
A few presenters will be invited to contribute with a short introductory presentation and then a selection of CHERN members will be able to participate in the discussion with brief pitches (5’) about their research on related topics.
Please submit to roberta.rabellotti@unipv.it and amccal@sgh.waw.pl a short bio (max 150 words) plus an abstract (max 200 words) about the topic of your presentation (5’) related with the theme of the panel
WG3: China-Europe competition and collaboration in global finance I: Governance, modalities and infrastructures
The global financial landscape of the 2020s has been turbulent so far, with rising interest rates in many parts of the world, prominent bank collapses, an emerging market debt crisis and the use of financial sanctions against Russia. Much of this upheaval is linked to broader economic and political shifts in the post-pandemic world, with global financial flows and networks appearing to take on an increasingly geopolitical inflection. This workshop will explore the positions of European and Chinese actors within this shifting terrain, both in terms of how they directly relate to one another and their interactions on the broader world stage. Topics may include:
• Financial infrastructures and systems: Towards de-globalisation?
• China and Europe at global financial governance fora: The World Bank, IMF, G20 and new multilateral organisations
• Shifting state-finance relationships, ownership structures and modalities in Chinese and European financial flows
• Chinese and European approaches to development finance (e.g. Global Gateway, Belt and Road Initiative)
Convenor:
Nicholas Jepson (University of Manchester)
Speakers:
Adam Dixon (Heriot-Watt University), Giulia Dal Maso (Ca’ Foscari University of Venice)
Anyone with interests related to the session theme is invited to apply to participate. Participants will be asked to give brief, informal presentations (5-10 minutes) on their own related work and interests, as well as brief reflections on their view of the key questions and problems around the session topic. These contributions are intended to be a departure point for broader discussion.
Please send a short paragraph detailing how your research relates to the session topic, along with a brief biographical note (including your name and affiliation) to nicholas.jepson@manchester.ac.uk
WG4: China Research in the Media
There is almost an overload of China news in the media. Yet, the information is most often superficial and lacking diversity. Now that we are reshaping our relations to China it would be essential to provide access forthe public to knowledge produced by researchers working on China. The workshop is focusing on the question: How can we channel this knowledge into the media? As this is a question that cannot be answered within a span of two hours, the workshop functions as preparation for a bigger event in February 2024 on the same topic, where together with journalists we hope to come up with workable formats.
Convenor:
Agota Revesz (GFZ Potsdam)
Speakers:
Angela Phillips (Goldsmiths, London), Marc Engelhardt (CORRECTIV CrowdNewsroom Schweiz)
We are inviting selected contributors to participate in the discussion. Applicants are expected to formulate where they see problems and difficulties re. the question in focus.
Please submit a recent CV and a paragraph about your motivation to: agota.revesz@tu-berlin.de. Please, also indicate whether you are interested in actively participating in the February 2024 workshop as well.
WG5: Workshop Migration & Technology I
This interdisciplinary workshop explores the still little-understood, complex interlinkages of technology and migration in relation to China in Europe. Looking at both analogue and digital technologies, this workshop asks how migration and migrants are shaped by technologies and how migrants employ and shape technologies. Among other things, the workshop discusses how technologies enable, inhibit, transform, and postpone migration; how technologies spur the imaginations and plans of future migrants; how technologies facilitate remote work abroad while staying at home; how technologies connect migrants and non-migrants; how technologies shape migrants’ bodies and become embodied; how migrants and those who stay use technologies to maintain social relationships; and how technologies and related knowledge and skills migrate alongside migrants.
Convenor:
Lena Kaufmann (University of Zurich)
Speakers:
Maggi W.H. Leung (University of Amsterdam), Yiwen Wang (University of Amsterdam), Aly Amer (University of Amsterdam), Yanbo Hao (Independent Researcher), Tong Meng (Durham University), Alex (Yanglu) Wang (Queen’s University Belfast), Jiaqi Liu (Princeton University & Singapore Management University), Himadree Sonowal (Jawaharlal Nehru University), Nellie Chu (Duke Kunshan University)
Presenters will be drawn from the CHERN working groups, in particular WG 5. Moreover, there is an open Call for Papers. The presentations are expected to last 15-20 minutes each. We are also looking for further contributors, either for presentations of related work, as a discussant of specific papers or to simply participate in the discussion.
Please submit your abstract (max. 250 words) as well as a short biographical note, including your name and affiliation, to: lena.kaufmann@uzh.ch
16:00-16:30
Networking coffee/tea break
16:30-17:45
Keynote I (incl Q&A)
Speaker Kerry Brown
Professor of Chinese Studies, Director of the Lau China Institute (Kings College London)
19:30-22:00
Conference Dinner
September 8, 2023
08:15-09:00
CHERN Policy Outreach Breakfast meeting (hybrid): Europe’s digital sovereignty from China – how to define a proactive instead of a reactive policy agenda?
Moderator: Tim Rühlig
Speakers: Alejandro Cainzos, Member of Cabinet of Commissioner Margaret Vestager, European Commission (tbc); Jan-Peter Kleinhans, Director Technology and Geopolitics, Stiftung Neue Verantwortung; Rogier Creemers, Lecturer in Modern Chinese Studies, Leiden University (tbc)
09:00-09:30
Registration and coffee
09:30-10:45
Roundtable III – Chinese Civil Society in Europe
Moderators: Meng Chang, Nyíri Pál
Speakers (confirmed to date): Chen Qiuyan (Pan-European Rainbow Chinese, Great Britain); Shih-Ping Jwo (Stiftung Blaues Haus, Germany); Michael Y. Liu (Libertatis, Netherlands); Yang Jiayu (706 Berlin, Germany)
10:45-11:15
Networking coffee/tea break
11:15-12:30
Roundtable IV – Horizon Europe Consortia knowledge networks on China
Moderators: Nana de Graaff & Matthias Stepan
Speakers: Bart Dessein, Ghent University; Mikko Huotari, MERICS; Astrid Pepermans, Egmont Royal Institute for International Relations
12:30-14:00
Lunch & Marketplace of Ideas
14:00-16:00
Parallel Working Group Workshops II
WG1: Chinese investment in Europe, The environmental cost of investment
While Chinese investment globally has been declining since 2016 due to domestic constraints on outbound capital flows in China and the covid 19 pandemic. However, Europe still enjoys a high level of investment in strategic sectors and infrastructure development. The environmental cost of this investment is an under-research area of EU-China relations. This panel will discuss the relationship between Chinese investment and its environmental impact discussing both domestic and international dynamics with a focus on EU-China relations.
Convenors:
Agnes Szunomar (Corvinus University, Budapest), with Niall Duggan (University College Cork) & Mark Poustie, (University College Cork)
Speakers:
Kim Vender (Edinburgh University) (tbc), Wen Xiang (University of Copenhagen) (tbc), Louise Curran (TBS Education) (tbc), Niall Duggan, (University College Cork) (Discussant) & Mark Poustie, University College Cork (CHAIR)
We are inviting selected contributors to participate in the discussion.
Please submit a recent CV, including last three publications, plus 200 words on your research interests and how they relate to the theme of the workshop to: agnes.szunomar@uni-corvinus.hu.
WG3: China-Europe competition and collaboration in global finance II: Decarbonisation and environmental protection
Decarbonisation of the global economy constitutes one of the most important challenges of the 21st century. The COP27 Independent High-Level Expert Group on Climate Finance has suggested that by 2030 emerging markets and developing countries (excluding China) may require financing of up to $1.7 trillion per annum to support energy transition. The question of how these needs can be met is contentious, but it seems clear that the economies of Europe and China (along with the United States) will need to provide a substantial proportion of this finance if targets are to be met. This session will look at emerging Chinese and European efforts to deliver finance for decarbonisation, as well as related goals such as climate adaptation, loss and damage payments, and conservation and afforestation. Topics may include:
- Climate-related financial instruments (e.g. green bonds, funds, ‘debt for nature’ swaps)
- ESG, standards and screening
- Continuing fossil fuel finance
- Energy transition-related project finance: Renewables, critical minerals, green infrastructure
- De-risking, asset manager capitalism and the Wall Street Consensus in Europe and/or China
- Carbon finance and alternatives
Convenor:
Nicholas Jepson (University of Manchester)
Speakers:
Stanislav Gubenko (University of Luxembourg), John Ryan (CESifo)
Anyone with interests related to the session theme is invited to apply to participate. Participants will be asked to give brief, informal presentations (5-10 minutes) on their own related work and interests, as well as brief reflections on their view of the key questions and problems around the session topic. These contributions are intended to be a departure point for broader discussion.
Please send a short paragraph detailing how your research relates to the session topic, along with a brief biographical note (including your name and affiliation) to nicholas.jepson@manchester.ac.uk
WG4: Evidence and Controversies around China’s Political Presence in Europe
There is a lot of talk about China trying to influence businesses and/or political decision-makers in Europe. Yet, there are many open questions, like what forms the attempts at influencing might take, what the scope of it is, and – from a research point of view – how we can gather knowledge about China’s political presence in Europe? The workshop is trying to assess our current state of knowledge regarding Chinese political influence and networks in Europe, and to identify areas where further research might be necessary. It will also address the difficulties researchers face when addressing a politically highly divisive topic.
Convenors:
Agota Revesz (GFZ Potsdam) & Jeffrey Henderson (Bristol University)
Speakers:
Martin Thorley (Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime), Frank Pieke (National University of Singapore) TBC
We are inviting selected contributors to participate in the discussion. Applicants are expected to formulate their own experiences / research re. the question in focus, and contribute with ideas for further research, possibly also research methods, esp. how to collect data (as long as they are willing to share them).
Please submit a recent CV and a paragraph about your motivation to: agota.revesz@tu-berlin.de.
WG5: Workshop Migration & Technology II
This interdisciplinary workshop explores the still little-understood, complex interlinkages of technology and migration in relation to China in Europe. Looking at both analogue and digital technologies, this workshop asks how migration and migrants are shaped by technologies and how migrants employ and shape technologies. Among other things, the workshop discusses how technologies enable, inhibit, transform, and postpone migration; how technologies spur the imaginations and plans of future migrants; how technologies facilitate remote work abroad while staying at home; how technologies connect migrants and non-migrants; how technologies shape migrants’ bodies and become embodied; how migrants and those who stay use technologies to maintain social relationships; and how technologies and related knowledge and skills migrate alongside migrants.
Convenor:
Lena Kaufmann (University of Zurich)
Speakers:
Maggi W.H. Leung (University of Amsterdam), Yiwen Wang (University of Amsterdam), Aly Amer (University of Amsterdam), Yanbo Hao (Independent Researcher), Tong Meng (Durham University), Alex (Yanglu) Wang (Queen’s University Belfast), Jiaqi Liu (Princeton University & Singapore Management University), Himadree Sonowal (Jawaharlal Nehru University), Nellie Chu (Duke Kunshan University)
Presenters will be drawn from the CHERN working groups, in particular WG 5. Moreover, there is an open Call for Papers. The presentations are expected to last 15-20 minutes each. We are also looking for further contributors, either for presentations of related work, as a discussant of specific papers or to simply participate in the discussion.
Please submit your abstract (max. 250 words) as well as a short biographical note, including your name and affiliation, to: lena.kaufmann@uzh.ch
16:00-16:30
Networking coffee/tea break
16:30-17:45
Keynote II (incl Q&A)
Speaker TBA
17:45-18:15
Wrap up & Reflections: Research and Policy Take Aways
Moderator: Nana de Graaff
