Workshop on Teaching and Research Capacity Building in China Studies
Suggested Themes for Participant Presentations
Message to Selected Participants
Dear Participants,
Greetings from the Institute for Contemporary Chinese Studies (ICCS), Mahatma Gandhi
University, Kerala.
Selected participants are warmly invited to present an outline of their research on any one of
the identified workshop themes, or on any topic broadly related to China Studies. The objective
is to encourage structured academic engagement and publication-oriented research
development.
Research scholars currently pursuing Ph.D. in China Studies are especially encouraged to
present their doctoral research proposals, conceptual frameworks, and future research plans for
scholarly feedback and mentoring.
Participants who are not presently engaged in doctoral research may select a topic of interest
within China Studies and present a structured outline of a research paper. The presentation
should ideally aim toward developing the work into a full-length research article suitable for
submission to a reputed journal or as a book chapter.
ICCS will facilitate the publication process by providing academic mentoring, methodological
guidance, and continuous online support even after the workshop. The initiative is designed to
ensure that workshop presentations evolve into high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarly outputs.
We look forward to your active participation and meaningful academic contributions.
Presentation is not compulsory and is optional for interested scholars. Separate
certificates will be issued for presentation and participation.
Those who choose to present will have the valuable opportunity to showcase their
research in an international academic workshop setting.
With best wishes,
Institute for Contemporary Chinese Studies (ICCS)
Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala
I. Foundations of China Studies in India
1. Current Status of China Studies in India: Institutional Gaps and Future
Directions
o
Mapping academic centres and programmes
o
Funding and resource constraints
o
Policy–academia interface
2. Pedagogy and Methodology in Teaching China Studies
o
Area studies vs disciplinary approaches
o
Use of primary Chinese sources
o
Designing China-focused curriculum modules
3. Mandarin Language Training and Research Access
o
Role of language in primary data collection
o
Translation challenges in political concepts
o
Expanding language training infrastructure
II. Ideational and Strategic Dimensions
4. Chinese Worldview and Strategic Culture
o
Tianxia, rejuvenation narrative
o
Party-state ideology and governance model
o
Chinese perceptions of India
5. Nationalism, Identity, and Foreign Policy Narratives
o
Domestic legitimacy and external assertiveness
o
Digital propaganda and media narratives
6. The Taiwan Question in China’s Foreign Policy
o
Cross-Strait dynamics
o
Implications for regional stability
o
India’s calibrated position
III. India–China Bilateral Relations
7. Border Dispute: Historical Complexity and Contemporary Challenges
o
Evolution of the boundary question
o
LAC developments post-2020
o
Confidence-building mechanisms
8. Trade Imbalance and Economic Interdependence
o
Structural asymmetries
o
Supply chain dependencies
o
De-risking vs decoupling
9. Recent Bilateral Engagements: Competition and Selective Cooperation
o
Multilateral coordination
o
Crisis management and diplomatic signalling
IV. China in the Indo-Pacific and Maritime Domain
10. China’s Maritime Strategy in the Indian Ocean Region
o
Naval expansion and logistics facilities
o
Strategic infrastructure and dual-use concerns
11. Maritime Domain Challenges and Cooperation Prospects
o
Blue economy
o
Disaster relief coordination
o
Climate and environmental security
V. Geoeconomics and Global Initiatives
12. Belt and Road Initiative: Progress, Pushback, and Strategic Implications
o
CPEC and regional connectivity
o
Debt diplomacy debates
o
Competing corridors
13. China’s Dominance in Rare Earths and Critical Minerals
o
Supply chain geopolitics
o
Strategic consequences for India
14. China’s Response to US Tariff and Technology Restrictions
o
Dual circulation strategy
o
Economic resilience and industrial policy
VI. China in Multilateral Institutions
15. China’s Role in BRICS and SCO
o
Institutional reform agendas
o
South–South cooperation dynamics
16. China and Reform of Global Governance
o
WTO, WHO, and AI governance
o
Multiplex world order debates
VII. Technology, Innovation, and Industrial Policy
17. Advances in AI, Electric Vehicles, and Renewable Energy
o
State-led innovation model
o
Lessons for India
18. Digital Silk Road and Cyber Governance
o
Data sovereignty
o
Digital infrastructure diplomacy
VIII. Domestic Governance and Development Lessons
19. Urbanization and Infrastructure Development in China
o
High-speed rail and smart cities
o
Governance mechanisms
20. Environmental Governance and Climate Policy
o
Carbon neutrality targets
o
India–China cooperation possibilities
IX. Regional Strategic Triangles
21. China–Pakistan Economic Corridor: Strategic Implications
22. China–Bangladesh Engagement and Bay of Bengal Dynamics
23. China in South Asia: Competitive Development Diplomacy
X. Soft Power and Knowledge Diplomacy
24. Cultural Diplomacy and Soft Power Projection
o
Media, education, and global image
25. Academic Dialogues and Knowledge Exchanges
o
Track 1.5 diplomacy
o
Constraints and opportunities
Advanced Research-Oriented Themes
China’s Political Economy Model and State Capitalism
Civil–Military Fusion and Strategic Industries
China’s Arctic Policy
Climate Security and Himalayan Water Politics
Health Diplomacy and Pandemic Governance
Rare Earths and Strategic Autonomy: India–China Comparison
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