Canberra, Wednesday 4 July 2001

Chinese studies conference at ANU

China's role on the international stage is being closely observed as it prepares to enter the World Trade Organisation and bids for the 2008 Olympics.

Globalisation, economics, politics, nationalism, culture, history and Sino-US Relations will be the focus of the Chinese Studies Association of Australia (CSAA) Seventh Biennial Conference at the ANU this week (5-8 July). Papers will also be presented on Chinese communities in Australia.

Mr Gary Humphries, Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory, will officially open the Conference at 2pm on Thursday 5 July at The Hall, University House, ANU. Professor Stuart Harris, former head of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade and Chair of the Australia-China Council, will present the keynote address on "China and Globalisation". Professor Harris will discuss China's role in the World Trade Organisation and political, social and economic changes occurring within China as a result of the effects of globalisation.

Dr Rafe de Crespigny, President of the CSAA and Adjunct Professor in the ANU's Faculty of Asian Studies, said "there is no time when issues affecting China and China's response to them are not interesting and relevant in both a domestic and international context". He believes China's role is even more important with its expected entry to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). "There will be tensions between the long-established one-Party state and the economic, social and political pressures that must accompany such a real opening to the outside world", Dr de Crespigny said.

The CSAA is the professional association for China specialists and post-graduate students in Australia. Its membership includes specialists in anthropology, economics, geography, history, language, law, linguistics, political science, sociology, literature and Chinese society and culture. The CSAA liaises with government departments and official bodies at Commonwealth and State levels regarding the teaching of the Chinese language and culture in primary and secondary schools and universities, and other issues relevant to the field of Chinese Studies, such as research funding. The Association works to ensure that it has a significant input on all important matters relating to Chinese Studies in Australia.

The CSAA's biennial conference includes panels examining a broad range of topics that draw together participants from Australia and overseas. The last national conference was held at Murdoch University in Perth in July 1999.

What: The Chinese Studies Association of Australia's Seventh Biennial Conference.
Where: University House, Australian National University, Canberra.
When: Thursday 5 July (Official launch at 2pm, Thursday), to Sunday 8 July.

To visit the conference website click here.

Further information from:
John Mikler, Asia-Pacific Liaison Officer, 02 6125 3209(w) or
0409 304 433
Clarissa Thorpe, Media Liaison Officer, 02 6125 5575 (w) or 0416 249 245

No:54/2001

© 2000 Marketing & Communications Division,
The Australian National University.
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Last Modified Tue, July 16, 2002