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Southeast Asian studies promote China-ASEAN maritime cooperation

Author  :  Zhang Junrong     Source  :    Chinese Social Sciences Today     2014-12-18

Under the theme of “Jointly Building Maritime Silk Road of the 21st Century,” the eighth Pan-Beibu Gulf Economic Cooperation Forum was held in Nanjing, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, in May, 2014. Attending scholars from China and ASEAN member countries discussed deepening regional maritime cooperation. (Photo/XINHUA)

China’s cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has developed steadily for a long time, largely advancing Southeast Asian studies in China. On November 12, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang declared at the 17th China-ASEAN leaders’ meeting that 2015 will mark the Year of Maritime Cooperation between China and ASEAN. It is in a further boost to regional maritime research and cooperation.

Southeast Asian studies in China traditionally focused on the study of overseas Chinese in the region. However, development of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) and the launch of the New Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road have led Southeast Asian studies to gradually attract more attention and become a key point of regional research.

Southeast Asian studies involve the study of the languages, cultures and histories of states and ethnic groups in Southeast Asia. Jinan University in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, is a pioneer in the discipline as one of the first institutions to actively pursue Southeast Asian studies. The university set up its Department of Nanyang Culture and Education in 1927 and gathered talented scholars to study Southeast Asia, said Cao Yunhua, dean of the School of International Studies at Jinan University.

Cao said that the current research pattern for Southeast Asian studies in China is divided geographically between the country’s north and south. Research is mainly conducted by universities in the latter, while research is comparatively fragmented and conducted by a more diverse range of institutions in the former.

“Southeast Asian studies are regarded as the main point of regional research within the coastal areas of south China, especially at some universities and research institutions,” said Zhang Yunling, director of International Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Zhang noted this trend provides new impetus in research on CAFTA and China-ASEAN relations, but conceded there is a lack of research into some countries due to relatively poor research teams.

Amid continuous advancement of China-ASEAN cooperation, Southeast Asian studies have benefited from new development opportunities. “Construction of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road will push China-ASEAN cooperation to a higher level,” said Wu Shicun, president of the National Institute for South China Sea Studies in Haikou, Hainan Province. Wu added that Southeast Asia is a significant component of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and will play an important role in its advancement.

China and ASEAN have created a “golden decade” in the past and will create a “diamond decade” in the future. The “diamond decade” is characterized by a higher starting point, broadening connotations and deeper mutual cooperation, said Li Chenyang, director of the Center for Myanmar Studies at Yunnan University. Li specifically explained that the higher starting point refers to building on previous mutual cooperation in various areas including commercial trade, investment, infrastructure construction and culture; broadening connotations refer to the two sides improving convenience of customs clearance, market supervision and standardization in addition to promoting land and maritime ties based on the 21st Maritime Silk Road; and deeper cooperation refers to working more closely together by modernizing traditional areas of mutual interest.

With the upgrading of mutual cooperation, academic research has also undergone rapid development. Li said that Southeast Asian studies have witnessed great development in the 21st century due to strong research. “Young and middle-aged scholars have become the main force of research. Most of them master more than one foreign language and have an international vision,” Li said.

With next year being the Year of Maritime Cooperation between China and ASEAN, Wu claimed that the two sides should seize the opportunity to construct a maritime cooperation mechanism and deepen maritime cooperation in various aspects. China and ASEAN will strengthen dialogue between their maritime law enforcement organs and set up a maritime cooperation center. They will also continuously advance cooperation in the fields of maritime economy, connectivity, environment, security and culture as well as disaster prevention and reduction, said Wu.

Deeper China-ASEAN maritime cooperation also ushers in higher requirements for some research institutions. “There are few institutions that can independently conduct interdisciplinary research in China to promote the country’s maritime cooperation with ASEAN,” said Wu.

The National Institute for South China Sea Studies has made great contributions to putting forward countermeasures for the issues of South China Sea and the public diplomacy in recent years, said Wu, noting that research teams engaged in maritime legal policies, economy and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road have been successively established.

Cao said that the South China Strategy Research Base, jointly set up by Jinan University and the South China Sea Branch of the State Oceanic Administration, has helped preserve historical materials. The Collaborative Innovation Center of South China Sea Studies jointly established by the government and top universities will also advance regional research, Cao added.

In addition, some research institutions related to South China Sea studies have also been launched with universities including Wuhan University in Hubei Province and Xiamen University in Fujian Province.


The Chinese version appeared in Chinese Social Sciences Today, No. 673, November 28, 2014.
The Chinese link: http://sscp.cssn.cn/xkpd/xszx/gn/201411/t20141128_1420016.html

 

 

Translated by Chen Meina
Revised by Tom Fearon

Editor: Chen Mirong

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