International Conference on

China - South Asia Civilization and Connectivity : History and Contemporary Issues

Organized by: China–South Asia Center for Sociocultural Studies (CSCSS), North South University (NSU), Dhaka & Yunnan University, Kunming, China

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International Conference on “China – South Asia Civilization and Connectivity: History and Contemporary Issues”

The International Conference on “China – South Asia Civilization and Connectivity: History and Contemporary Issues” aims to understand the contours of relations between China and South Asia through the broad lenses of history, civilization, sociocultural dynamics, economic and political ties. “What’s past is prologue”, to borrow from Shakespeare (The Tempest), sets the context of this conference to explore, broaden and deepen our understandings of the past, the present and the future of China – South Asia relationships.

China – South Asia relations are multifaceted that build and thrive on historical, civilizational, cultural, socio-economic, political, media and diplomatic ties. Beijing’s relations with the South Asian countries have further deepened and widened in the contemporary context. Apart from long historical and civilizational trajectories, China’s recent rise as a global economic powerhouse has significant implications for her South Asian neighbors, with mega initiatives like the Belt and Road (BRI) offering opportunities for development for the smaller South Asian states of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka but also ringing an alarm bell in New Delhi which considers South Asia it’s traditional sphere of influence. The conference organizers, against this backdrop, invite scholars, policymakers, researchers, business leaders, and media experts to critically examine, interpret/reinterpret, and project China – South Asia relations from diverse perspectives – historical, civilizational, socio-cultural, economic, environmental, health, educational, political and geopolitical. This proposed international conference, in other words, offers the platform to encourage academic and policy-oriented dialogues, debate emerging issues of understandings between China and South Asia in their entirety, critically assess how the relationships are progressing and what promises/pitfalls the future holds for China – South Asia relations.

Organized by the CSCSS at NSU, the conference hopes to provide a platform for researchers, scholars, policy-makers and concerned stakeholders to share and exchange knowledge and ideas related to the conference themes.

 

Date: 27 – 28 December 2024

Conference Objectives:

The conference endeavors to:

  • Offer an interdisciplinary platform to discuss socio-cultural, economic, and political interactions between China and South Asia from historical and contemporary perspectives.
  • Critically assess and forecast the trajectory of China-South Asia relations from civilizational angles.
  • Explore the implications of China’s growing business and economic ties, of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its socio-cultural, economic, and foreign policy dimensions.
  • Encourage academic and policy-oriented dialogues on environmental sustainability, infrastructure development, education and trade dynamics

 

Major themes and sessions

  1. Socio-cultural interactions

    Session -1: China-South Asia Civilizational and Cultural Connections.
    Session -2: Identity, Cultural Values and Nation-states in South Asia .

    Ethnic communities, cultural heritage, conservations, and tourism.
    Linguistics, religious, and intercultural communications.
    Trade connections and civilizational interactions in connection with the Silk Road and Ancient Tea Horse Road
  2. Infrastructure and logistics

    Session: China- South Asia Cooperation for Energy Security, Sub-regionalism and Trade.

    Progress in infrastructure, transportation, and regional connectivity.
    Transnational logistics and development strategies.
    BRI's narratives and impacts on enhancing connections and geopolitical dynamics.
  3. Economic and trade connections

    Session –1: Incentives for Cooperation and Chinese Economic Influence in South Asia.
    Session -2: China’s LDC Trade Strategies and De- dollarization move.

    Evolving commercial relationships and investment patterns.
    ancial strategies and economic collaboration.
  4. Political and diplomatic dynamics

    Session –1: Rohingya Crisis, Security Dilemma and Counter-terrorism.
    Session –2: Flashpoints – The Bay of Bengal and the Indo-Pacific.

    Political implications and diplomatic strategies in the region.
    Chinese and South Asian perspectives on BRI cooperation.
    People to people relations
  5. 5. AI, Cyber Diplomacy and Security

    Session: The Role of AI, Cyber Diplomacy and Soft Power in China-South Asia Relations.

    AI, Cyber Diplomacy, and Security explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and international relations in the context of cybersecurity.
    This field focuses on using AI to enhance global security measures while addressing ethical challenges and policy implications. It involves cooperation between nations to manage cyber threats and protect critical infrastructure in an increasingly interconnected world.
  6. Language and education

    Session: Connecting Economics, Cultures and Education under BRI.

    Language education, student and cultural exchanges, and scholarship programs.
    Chinese soft power in South Asia
  7. Health and medicine

    Session: Promoting People to People Contact Through Medical Teams and Narratives.

    Health systems, traditional Chinese medicine, and South Asian Ethnomedicine, capacity building in healthcare systems.
  8. Media, communication, and public sentiment

    Media’s role in shaping public opinion and regional connectivity narratives
    Digital media advancements and communication technologies.

Conference Format:

The conference will include individual paper presentations, panel discussions, roundtables, and networking opportunities, fostering a diverse and comprehensive discourse

Expected outcomes:

The conference will produce an edited volume and a special issue of the NSU journal - North-South Journal of Peace and Global Studies (NSJPGS)

Participants:

The conference invites scholars, academics, government policy-makers and strategists, business leaders, media experts, and delegates from global organizations to contribute and participate in this critical discourse

Special Note: For submission guidelines, detailed program, and registration information, please visit the conference website or contact the CSCSS at North South University.

Abstract / Panel Submissions Deadline (Click Here to Submit)
Sep 15 2024
(23:59 PM)
Notification of Acceptance Deadline
Sep 16 2024
(23:59 PM)
Submission of Fully Developed Papers Deadline (Click Here to Submit)
Dec 25 2024
(23:59 PM)

Amb. (Retd.) Masood Khalid

Amb. (Retd.) Masood Khalid

Former career diplomat of Pakistan.

Dr. Liu Shu

Dr. Liu Shu

Professor at the School of Ethnology and Sociology, Yunnan University.

Prof. Mohammed Nuruzzaman

Prof. Mohammed Nuruzzaman

Professor of Political Science at North South University

Prof Mahendra P Lama

Prof Mahendra P Lama

senior Professor at the School of International Studies in Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India

Professor Mohammed Nuruzzaman, NSU (Convener)

Dr. Wei Wei, Yunnan University (Co-convener)

Dr. Bulbul Siddiqi, NSU (Co-convener)

Dr. Nur Newaz Khan, NSU (Co-convener)

  • Professor Nuruzzaman (Convenor)
  • Professor Sk. Tawfique M. Haque
  • Dr. Harisur Rahman (Coordinator, CSCSS)
  • Dr. Bulbul Siddiqi
  • Dr. Nur Newaz Khan
  • Dr. Noor Mohammad
  • Ms. Ma Xiaoyan
  • Mr. Mainul Haque Khan
  • Mr. Mahmud Bin Morshad
  • Dr. Mahbubur Rahman
  • Shamveel Ahmed Kajo