The Chinese Communist Party's Global Outreach: Insights from Data on Party-to-Party Exchanges
- When: Wednesday, September 20th, 12:00-13:00
- Format: in person
- Where: UCD Newman F301
Abstract. This presentation addressed a largely overlooked actor in China's foreign relations, the International Department of the Communist Party of China (ID-CPC). Using publicly available documentation, the presentation systematically analyzed the patterns of the CPC's external relations since the early 2000s. Building on an intense travel diplomacy, the ID-CPC maintains a widely stretched network to political elites across the globe. The ID-CPC's engagement is not new; but since Xi Jinping took office, the CPC has bolstered its efforts to reach out to other parties. The authors find that party relations not only serve as an additional channel to advance China's foreign policy interests. Since President Xi has come to power, party relations also emerged as a key instrument to promote China's vision for reforming the global order. The presentation was based on previously published co-authored work by the author in International Studies Quarterly and was supplemented by new insights and developments since publication.
Myanmar Two Years On From the Coup
March 27, 2023, 13:00-14:00 (on Zoom)
- ***See recording of event on YouTube here: (opens in a new window)https://youtu.be/Y_VOOdG9k5k?si=dSXXr3neeYZZC9e9 *****
Summary: In February 2021 a junta, led by General Min Aung Hlaing took control of Myanmar, precipitating mass protests and widespread civil war. However, these recent events have been largely ignored in popular media. This panel, bringing together academics, activists, and witnesses, will provide an update on the current state of politics in Myanmar: discussing the suppression of democracy, the National League for Democracy and Aung San Suu Kyi; the outbreak of civil war following the 'Spring Revolution'; and the impact of the conflict on the country's ethnic minorities, particularly the Karen ethnic group, who are under regular attack by military forces.
Bios
Alex Dukalskis is associate professor in the School of Politics & International Relations at University College Dublin and director of the UCD Centre for Asia-Pacific Research. His research and teaching cover authoritarian politics, human rights, and Asian politics. His most recent book is Making the World Safe for Dictatorship and was published by Oxford University Press in 2021.
Zoya Phan is from the Karen ethnic group in Burma, and is a human rights activist, author, and campaign manager for the Burma Campaign UK who has worked tirelessly to expose the junta’s human rights violations. In 2009, she published her autobiography, “Little Daughter: A Memoir of Survival in Burma and the West”. She has been recognized as a TEDGlobal Fellow, a Women’s Forum Rising Talent, and a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader.
Declan Stokle is a junior doctor based in Sunderland, UK, who volunteers regularly with the American charity, Free Burma Rangers. While last in Burma in November 2022, Stokle witnessed an attack on medical facilities and innocent civilians by the Burmese junta, and is joining the call via a pre-recorded interview to recount his experiences.
Treasa De Loughry (chair) is an Ad Astra fellow and assistant professor in world literature in the School of English, Drama and Film at UCD. She has a long-standing interest in the literature and culture of South East Asia, and the human rights abuses being committed by the Burmese junta against ethnic minority groups.
This event is sponsored by the UCD Centre for Asia-Pacific Research. Learn more about us at: https://www.ucd.ie/AsiaPacificResearch/ and follow us on Twitter @AsiaUCD
9 March 2023, 12-1pm, "All the World's a Stage? Reflections on Historical Methods and Global Asia"
