Graduate Institute of East Asian Studies, NCCU

Center for China's International Grand Strategy

September 9, 2020

I. Introduction

In the 21st century, one of the key themes in international relations research is the rise of mainland China and its impact on global politics. The academic community in Taiwan has accumulated significant expertise and profound research outcomes in the broad field of China Studies. Since its inception, the Graduate Institute of East Asian Studies (GIEAS) at National Chengchi University (NCCU) has maintained a unique research channel and methodology, passing knowledge across generations using both traditional and modern teaching methods, while gradually expanding its connections within the global field of international relations.

In this context, the College of International Affairs at NCCU has established a research center to consolidate the accumulated research capacity, foster exchanges among scholars from different generations and professional backgrounds, enhance interactions and collaborations with other research units both within and outside the university, and expand engagement with the regional and global international relations community. This aims to enhance the visibility of Taiwan's academic contributions to China Studies and attract more overseas institutions and talent for collaboration. The research interests and objectives of this center include the following areas:

• 21st Century CCP International Strategy and China's Global Influence

Research focusing on Chinese/ Chinese Communist Party (CCP) foreign policy has become mainstream in the study of 21st-century international relations. As the leading force in this rising power, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has redefined China's foreign relations, shifting its strategy from prioritizing relations with major Western powers to solidifying its presence in the region, transitioning from a rule-taker to a rule-maker and enforcer. Therefore, the center's first research focus will be on the logic behind current CCP international strategy formulation, the content and implementation methods, and the impacts of these strategies on the CCP itself and the external international environment.

Moreover, since Xi Jinping took office, he has emphasized "good neighborliness, security, and prosperity" as primary goals, with "friendship, sincerity, benefit, and dignity" as the core principles of peripheral diplomacy, which is exemplified by the Belt and Road Initiative, launched in 2013 Under the presidency of Donald Trump, a trade war between the U.S. and China began in 2018. As the U.S. adjusts its military and political strategies in the Asia-Pacific region, tensions between the U.S. and China have become increasingly evident. The global outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 further exacerbated hostilities between these two powers. With the rapid evolution of the international environment, numerous new issues require in-depth study, which is also a mission of this center. Therefore, we plan to conduct comprehensive research on the strategies and actions developed by neighboring countries and regions (including East Asia, South Asia, and Central Asia) in response to significant global events, as well as the power dynamics and interactions between mainland China and other major global powers, while fostering exchanges between the academic community and policy research fields.

• Continuing Unique Research Channels and Methods in Taiwan's Academia

Taiwan's academic community plays a unique and important role in the global field of contemporary China studies. Due to the special nature of cross-strait relations and cultural similarities, Taiwan enjoys many advantages that other regions and countries do not possess, particularly in terms of frequency and depth of engagement with the mainland academic community. The Graduate Institute of East Asian Studies, as Taiwan's first institution dedicated to training professionals in China studies for both governmental and academic sectors, has developed a distinctive research methodology and paradigm, particularly in its emphasis on CCP history, which provides members with deep and unique perspectives on the study of China's foreign strategies.

Since its establishment in 1968, GIEAS has trained numerous professionals involved in mainland China research and has formed a special academic network. We plan to further combine our research capabilities with those of the College of International Affairs, enhancing our influence in the field of China Studies within Taiwan. The establishment of the Center for China's International Grand Strategy aims to continue and develop the existing research paradigm of GIEAS, integrating with the overall style of China studies in Taiwan, inviting collaboration and exchange with scholars and academic institutions from both domestic and international communities to enhance Taiwan's position and reputation in the global field of China research.

• Expanding and Deepening Connections with the Global International Relations Community

In response to China's rise, there has been growing discourse in the global international relations community about the emergence of a "Chinese school of international relations theory." The academic community in Taiwan also places great importance on this issue, forming a "History and International Relations Research Group" to unite local researchers and amplify their voices on the world stage, thereby expanding Taiwan's influence in the global field of China research. One of the goals of establishing the Center for China's International Grand Strategy is to contribute to theoretical discussions and, through strategic research, strengthen Taiwan's involvement in global discussions on international relations, whether related to the Chinese school of thought or debates on East Asian international relations and regional security. We also aim to enhance connections with international research units to promote research on China's international relations and the CCP's foreign strategies from a Taiwanese perspective, thereby increasing the center's and university's global recognition.

II. Purpose of Establishment

To integrate relevant research resources both domestically and internationally, enhance the quality and interest surrounding "CCP International Strategy Research," establish diverse channels and platforms for exchange, improve research methodologies, and develop localized international relations theories, while strengthening interactions, exchanges, and collaborations with global international relations and contemporary China research fields to enhance the college and university's international reputation. On a practical level, we aim to provide policy recommendations at a macro level, as well as relevant information consultation at an individual level.

III. Center Missions

The center encompasses the following three main areas of work:

1. Research

• Collect data related to "China's international strategy." In the initial phase, we will gather and organize existing domestic research on CCP foreign policy, according to theoretical frameworks and discourse characteristics.
• Actively integrate related research resources, including data shared by cooperating institutions (such as large-scale surveys or interview records), relevant journal articles, dissertations, and publications from various research institutions (including statistical data), while collecting and categorizing related articles, reports, and information from magazines, newspapers, books, and websites for retrieval. Once sufficient resources are secured, the center plans to make this information publicly available online in compliance with copyright regulations.
• Collaborate with the College of International Affairs and the GIEAS to regularly publish a Chinese academic journal that provides a platform for scholarly discourse on "CCP International Strategy" and "the Development of China's Foreign Relations Theory."
• Seek collaboration with government ministries or domestic and international research foundations and institutions for research projects, and periodically publish related research findings and monographs.

2. Communication

• Establish a "CCP International Strategy" research website as a platform for exchanging information and research results with domestic and international academic communities.
• Engage in academic exchanges and collaborative projects with domestic and international research institutions and universities related to China studies. This aims to maximize the effectiveness of related research resources.
• Publish regularly a "CCP International Strategy Research Newsletter" to convey updates on developments and new data in the research field, facilitating deeper exchanges among research communities.
• Hold regular seminars and discussion forums, inviting relevant scholars to share insights and experiences, to enhance connections and facilitate knowledge sharing

3. Consultation

• Provide research and policy recommendations to relevant government ministries regarding on "Mainland China and Cross-Strait Relations," "CCP Strategies Towards Neighboring Countries," and "Regional Power Politics."
• Offer consulting services to individuals, associations, and businesses regarding "Mainland China and Cross-Strait Relations," "CCP Strategies Towards Neighboring Countries," and "Regional Power Politics."

IV. Human Resources and Work Plan

This center is an interdepartmental research facility within the college that is open to external participation. Students and faculty from the College of International Affairs interested in "CCP International Strategy" or "The Development of International Relations Theory concerning China" are welcome to participate in the center's activities. We also welcome those interested in administrative and research-related roles. The center has invited numerous external experts and scholars to participate in related academic activities, consolidating research efforts and collaboratively developing Taiwan's perspective on contemporary China and international political studies.

The composition of the personnel at this center is as follows:

1. Adjunct Research Fellow
Shih Chih-Yu, Research Fellow
Tang Kai-Tai, Research Fellow
Chen Yi-Pin, Research Fellow
Pao Chun-Liang, Research Fellow
Chang Teng-Chi, Research Fellow
Lin Ya-Ling, Research Fellow
Nguyen Cong-Tung, Research Fellow

2. Adjunct Editor

3. Postdoctoral Researcher

4. Visiting Scholar
Yih-Jye Hwang, Leiden University

5. Executive Secretary
Huang Yin-Shan
Gao Hui-Min