The Centre for Social and Economic Progress organised a three-part seminar series on “China’s Global Influence.” This is part of the research project on “China’s Influence in South Asia” led by Constantino Xavier together with Shivshankar Menon and Jabin Jacob.

This closed-door, online seminar series “China’s Global Influence” complements our regional South Asia focus by showcasing comparative research about China’s influence in other regions of the world.

Part 1: Studying China’s Global Influence |
Infrastructure Projects and Conflict Mediation

Wednesday, May 4, 2022, 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm (IST)

In our first seminar, on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm (IST), we hosted two experts to present their in-depth research on two different geographies and sectors of China’s growing footprint, in South America and Asia.

With contributors from India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, our project examines China’s growing role in South Asia across a range of sectors such as education, public diplomacy, technology, social media, politics, religion, and governance.

Yun Sun, Senior Fellow and Director of the China Program at the Stimson Center, Washington DC, presented her research on China’s role in conflict mediation with cases from Myanmar and Afghanistan.

Adriana Abdenur, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Plataforma CIPÓ, Rio de Janeiro, presented hew new Carnegie paper on Chinese investments in railway infrastructure projects in Brazil.

Part 2: Studying China’s Global Influence: Infrastructure in Myanmar and East Africa

Friday, May 13, 2022, from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM (IST)

Xue Gong, Assistant Professor in the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, presented her Carnegie paper on Chinese mining companies and local mobilization in Myanmar.

Oscar M. Otele, Lecturer at the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of Nairobi, Kenya, presented his research on China’s approach to infrastructure projects in East Africa with case studies on Kenya’s transport sector.

Part 3: Studying China’s Global Influence: Technology and Human Rights

Thursday, May 19, 2022, from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM IST

Didi K. Tatlow, former Senior Fellow of the Asia Program at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), presented her research on China’s foreign technology acquisition activity and its implications on China’s global rise.

Ted Piccone, Chief Engagement Officer at the World Justice Project, and Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, Washington DC, presented his Brookings paper on China’s growing activist role in the United Nations Human Rights Council.

All content reflects the individual views of the speakers. The Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) does not hold an institutional view on any subject.