On November 26-27, 2023, the 16th “National Academic Forum for Doctoral Students in International Studies and International Politics” was held in Xianlin Campus, Nanjing University. The theme of this year’s forum is “Area and International Studies in a Changing World: Strategies, Policies and Theories”. Professor Zhang Haibin, Associate Dean of the School of International Studies, Peking University and Associate Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of International Studies, Professor Wang Yizhou, Dean of the Institute of Area Studies, Nanjing University, and Senior Fellow Ke Yinbin, Deputy Director of the Academic Committee of the Charhar Institute, delivered speeches at the opening ceremony, which was presided over by Zhao Guangrui, Director of the Department of International Politics of the School of International Studies, Nanjing University.
“The National Academic Forum for Doctoral Students in International Studies and International Politics (hereinafter referred to as the National Forum for Doctoral Students) has been supported by Peking University’s “Innovative Program of Graduate Education” since its establishment. In his speech, Professor Zhang Haibin firstly congratulated the successful convening of the forum. He pointed out that the theme of the forum, “Area and International Studies in a Changing World”, is of great practical significance, and it is the mission of the academia to promote the discipline and serve the national strategy. The change of history, of the times and of the world are unfolding in an unprecedented way, and it is necessary to strengthen Area and International Studies to create a favorable environment for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The theme of this year’s forum is timely and significant. It provides a platform for interdisciplinary academic discussions on Area and International Studies, contributes to expanding the research horizons of humanities and social sciences disciplines, and solidifies the doctrinal basis of Area Studies. Professor Zhang also pointed out that the discipline is highly valued by Peking University, and it is one of the top priorities in the construction of “Double First Class” Initiative. The School of International Studies, Peking University has played a key role in the organizational construction and doctrinal exploration of Area Studies, and has cultivated a new growth point for the discipline. He emphasized the unprecedented demand for international studies achievements and research talents in the current era. Moreover, he put forward great expectations for the students, hoping that they would cherish the historical opportunities, be ready for hard work, and actively participate in all kinds of academic exchanges and dialogues to activate and stimulate new thinking.
Professor Wang Yizhou expressed his welcome and thanks to the faculty and students who participated in this forum. He pointed out that the doctoral students who participated in this forum provided many new perspectives on Area Studies, and he hoped that the students would further revise and improve their research papers based on their communication with experts. Professor Wang said that today’s era provides a good opportunity for the development of area studies, which is highly valued by the state and develops rapidly, but compared with traditional first-level disciplines, this discipline is still short in terms of the form, ontology and methodology. Therefore, the mission lies upon the shoulder of young scholars to ensure that the discipline is recognized both academically and internationally. The National Academic Forum for Doctoral Students provides a platform for the mingle of ideas and academic exchanges, which is a test of the students’ thinking ability and knowledge. Professor Wang encouraged students to cultivate a sense of mission for the times and to be the bearer of the tasks bestowed by the times.
In his speech, Senior Fellow Ke Yinbin said he looked forward to a lively academic discussion at the forum. He pointed out that the Charhar Institute is a non-governmental think tank for diplomacy and international studies, and has promoted many initiatives and action in the fields of public diplomacy and peace studies. He said that the Charhar Institute is now planning on the “Charhar Young Scholars” program, and the prize winners of this year’s forum will be awarded the honorary title of “Charhar Young Scholars”.
During the one-and-a-half-day discussions, 30 doctoral students from 19 universities, including Peking University, Tsinghua University, Fudan University, Nanjing University and Sun Yat-sen University, presented their research, and nine experts made in-depth and detailed comments on their papers.
At the closing ceremony of the forum on November 27, Professor Zhu Feng, Executive Dean of the School of International Studies and Executive Director of the China Center for Collaborative Studies of South China Sea, Nanjing University, Professor Zhang Haibin, and Professor Wang Yizhou delivered closing remarks. Zhuang Junju, Director of the Editorial Office and Deputy Editor of The Journal of International Studies, presided over the closing ceremony.
Professor Zhu Feng expressed his heartfelt thanks to the active participation of the doctoral students and the hard work of all the teachers. He pointed out that the forum has an outstanding representation in the academic community of international studies and international politics. It embodies a high degree of academic professionalism, and plays an important role in stimulating the potentials of doctoral students and expanding their academic interests. Professor Zhu said he looked forward to the ongoing organization of the forum which will continue to provide an effective communication platform for doctoral students across the country. Professor Zhang Haibin affirmed the thinking and expression ability of the students. He said that the forum provides a high-quality academic exchange platform for them and has become an important brand of doctoral education, which is highly valued by the Ministry of Education and Peking University. He encouraged the students to be ready for hard-working in the competitive era and make excellent accomplishments by persevering on the academic path. Professor Wang Yizhou praised the participants for their keen problem awareness, but also pointed out that their papers still need to be polished, and he hoped that the students would seriously absorb the comments made by the reviewers and make revisions accordingly. Professor Wang said that young scholars have a long way to go, and students need to make unremitting efforts. Finally, Director Zhuang Junju said that the forum will continue to provide good service and support for the academic development of students and build a good platform for them to present their research findings.
This year’s forum received more than 100 papers submitted by doctoral students from 37 universities at home and abroad. After anonymous review by the Academic Committee of the forum, 30 papers from 19 universities were finally selected. The final prizes were reviewed and voted on anonymously by the Academic Committee of the forum, taking into account the presentations made by the participants. The results are as follows: Meng Ziqi (Peking University) won the first prize; Zeng Weishen (Peking University), Zhao Lan (Renmin University of China), and Zhang Yao (Nankai University) won the second prize; and the third prize went to Yang Meng （Tsinghua University）, Wang Ruifang (University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences), and Xue Liang (Nanjing University). The winners were also awarded the honorary title of “Charhar Young Scholars” by the Charhar Institute. Professor Zhang Haibin, Professor Wang Yizhou, and Senior Researcher Zhao Mei, Associate Editor-in-Chief of The Chinese Journal of American Studies, Institute of American Studies, CASS, presented first, second, and third prizes to the winners. Senior Fellow Ke Yinbin, Professor Zhang Haibin, and Professor Zhu Feng presented the honorary certificates of “Charhar Young Scholars” to the prize winners.
The “National Academic Forum for Doctoral Students” is one of the innovative projects of China’s postgraduate education, initiated by the Office of the Committee of Academic Degrees and the Department of Degree Management & Postgraduate Education of the Ministry of Education and co-sponsored by the Graduate School and the School of International Studies, Peking University, which has been successfully held for 15 years. The forum aims to provide a platform for academic exchanges among outstanding young students majoring in International Studies and International Politics, and to discuss the way of learning and promote the development of the discipline. This year’s forum is co-sponsored by the Graduate School, the School of International Studies, Peking University, the Editorial Board of The Journal of International Studies, the Institute of Area Studies, Nanjing University, the School of International Studies, Nanjing University, and the Charhar Institute. (Translate/ Bao Yiwen)
List of Prize Winners of the 16th National Academic Forum for Doctoral Students in International Studies and International Politics
First Prize
Meng Ziqi (Peking University): “The Construction Path of France’s Influence in UNESCO: An Analysis Based on the Proposal Alliance”
Second Prize
Zeng Weishen (Peking University): “The ‘Global South’ ”: Emerging Perspectives and Tools for International Studies”
Zhao Lan (Renmin University of China): “The ‘Securitization Logic’ in the Rise of Russia’s Food Industry”
Zhang Yao (Nankai University): “ ‘Hub-spoke System’ or ‘Composite Network’: An Analysis of the Evolution of the U.S. Asia-Pacific Security Architecture”
Third Prize
Yang Meng (Tsinghua University): “Ideal and Reality: A Study of the Polish-Chinese Air Route Issue from the Perspective of Poland’s Relations with China (1951-1953)”
Wang Ruifang (University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences): “Debate on Education in American Society in the Context of Political Polarization”
Xue Liang (Nanjing University): “Security Dilemma in Southern Philippines and the Governance Problem of Weak States”
