About Forum

Driven by the tide of the times, every moment of change breeds endless possibilities for the future. In the post-pandemic era, we have witnessed the revitalization and reshaping of the global economy and simultaneously the many challenges posed by geopolitical tensions. At the intersection of these "great changes unseen in a century," China plays an indispensable and important role on the international stage, whether it is economy, technological innovation or international relations.

The LSE China Development Forum, recognizing this pivotal moment and China's critical role, aims to be a dynamic platform to explore these issues.

Founded in 2009, the LSE China Development Forum has grown phenomenally to become the largest and most inclusive China-themed forum in Europe over the past decade. Carrying a vision of “Bridging Perspectives and Opportunities”, we strive to foster a deeper understanding of the economic, political, social, and cultural dynamics between China and the rest of the world through insightful dialogue and discussion.

This year, under the theme "Navigating Unknown Changes: A New Chapter in China's Development", the CDF will take place at the Sheik Zayed Theater in the LSE CKK Building on February 17-18th. CDF is proud to present seven academic panels, each a deep dive into pivotal issues including geopolitics, economics, culture, environmental sustainability, space policy, currency, and technology and AI. These panels bring together world-renowned experts, offering unparalleled insights into their respective fields.

In addition to the academic panels, the Forum offers a unique chance for attendees to engage directly with speakers at an exclusive networking reception. Furthermore, a career panel will be featured, delivering vital career insights to our younger audience members, enhancing both their academic and professional development.

With a limited availability of 330 tickets, we invite you to promptly secure your place at this highly anticipated event. Each ticket includes access to the full range of panels on both days of the Forum, along with refreshments and conference material. Get your tickets now!

Event Schedule

Day 1

[11:00-12:10] Culture Panel: China's Global Narrative: Deconstructing Discursive Power Dynamics and the Role of Media in Ethical Knowledge Production

The disparities in discursive power have framed the world under considerable power dynamics. With China’s pursuit of a shared future for mankind, the panel calls for criticality towards the West-centralising concept of globalisation and the role of media in the (West’s) conceptualisation of China. Further, we connect China’s influence with entities of the Global South and mobilise the panel as guidance for those who continue to be narrated for by a dominant discourse.

[12:10-12:40] Speciality Panel: Navigating the Multipolar World: Diplomatic Strategies of Smaller Powers

In the increasingly multipolar contemporary global arena, the small states remain crucial but are often overlooked. Amidst the towering presence of superpowers that influence geopolitical, economic and diplomatic narratives, and against the backdrop of growing tensions between China and the United States, how can small states find their own unique position in the multipolar world through diplomatic strategy?

[14:00-15:10] Economics Panel: From Crisis to Confidence: Deciphering China’s Economic Future Amidst Unprecedented Challenges

In 2023, China’s reopening and recovery have become central themes to the domestic economy and topics of concern for the world. Yet, with significant deflationary pressure and large-scale capital outflow and the series of social concerns that pre-date the pandemic, the path towards rejuvenation has been turbulent. Given this backdrop, the panel aspires to explore the multifaceted factors that contribute to the current economic landscape and how China could navigate its immediate challenges while positioning itself for future stability and growth.

[15:30-16:40] Geopolitics Panel: The Rise of a Third Voice in the Arab World: China’s Growing Engagement in the Middle East

Is the world approaching a new era in Sino-Arab relations? Despite the traditionally neutral engagements with the Middle East, China’s role in brokering the Saudi-Iran peace deal and apparent desire to mediate the Israel-Palestine conflict highlight Beijing’s willingness to reassess the nature of its engagement in the region. The series of approaches breed new narratives that seek to explore China’s growing footprint as a new mediator in the region and the broader picture of US-China relations, as well as how the changing economic and geopolitical landscape affect China’s rise in the Middle East.

[17:00-18:10] Astro-politics Panel: Astro-Political Ascent: Space Policy and China’s Developmental Trajectory

Amidst China’s ascend to the forefront of global influence, astropolitics remains a frequently overlooked yet increasingly significant topic, entailing crucial dimensions for the understanding of China’s developmental trajectory. How can Outer Space help address challenges on Earth? What are China’s goals in this arena and how does it seek to utilise space exploration for its terrestrial development? With the relevant questions in mind, the panel aims to highlight a discussion with rising potential in shaping the global political landscape in the coming decades.

Day 2

[10:30-11:40] Environment Panel: Beyond Derisking: Navigating Fragmentations for Unified Climate Action

Following the 2015 Paris Agreement, China had unveiled its ambitious ‘Dual Carbon Policy’ that aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. A decade on, China has not only maintained progress as per promise, but has also emerged as a trailblazer in green technology development. The panel bridges the pressing urgency to combat climate change in relation to the heightened tension between the West and China, in the hopes of highlighting the demand for targeted cooperation towards a sustainable global economy.

[12:00-13:10] Currency Panel: Fusing the Circulation: Understanding Renminbi in a Fragmented Global Economy

As the world’s second-largest economy, China wields significant economic and political influence on the global stage. Yet, the Renminbi holds a disproportionately limited global footprint as the country’s official currency. What is the Renminbi? Is China ready to “de-dollarize”? The panel calls for a reassessment on the external factors that drive demand for alternative reserve currencies. Moreover, the discussion aims to unpack the evolving role of the Renminbi under an ever-evolving geopolitical and geo-economic dynamism, reencountering the rising regional trade blocs and tensions between leading economies.

[14:30-15:40] Technology Panel: Technological Decoupling: Implications on China’s Chip market and Development in the Context of International Relations

China’s ‘Made in China 2025’ strategic plan sets an ambitious goal for domestic output. Meanwhile, the global landscape of technology sees a growing emphasis on supply chain resilience. As nations grapple with the complexities of balancing economic interdependence and national security concerns, China’s chip market faces challenges due to technological decoupling. The panel aims to explore the multifaceted aspects of such decoupling and its impacts on China’s chip market. We delve into how this phenomenon shapes international relations and present both challenges and opportunities for its relevant stakeholders.

Speaker Highlights

Erik Solheim - Former USG of the UN and Executive Director of the UN Environment Program; Vice Chairman of CCICED
Sun Yongfu - Former Head of the Department of European Affairs at China's Ministry of Commerce; Senior Fellow at Taihe Institute
Charles Yang-Sheng Liu - Founder and Chairman of HAO Capital; Former Managing Director of Lazard Asia
Einar Tangen - Founder and Chairman of Asia Narratives; Senior Fellow at Taihe Institute
Gao Haihong - Director of Research Center for International Finance; Institute of World Economics and Politics, CASS
King Au - Executive Director of the Hong Kong Financial Services Development Council (FSDC)
Tim Niblock - Chair Professor, Institute for International and Area Studies, Tsinghua University
Mark Logan - Conservative MP for Bolton North East; Vice-Chair, All-Party Parliamentary Group on China

Important Notes

Early Bird Ticket Deadline: February 8th at 11:59pm (UK time)
Networking Reception & Career Panel: Due to limited availability for the career panel and networking receptions, we highly recommend early registration to secure your participation. If you're interested in attending these events, please indicate your interest by selecting the [Networking Reception & Careers Panel Interest Ticket] option. After registration, we will gather additional information through email and extend formal invitations for the cocktail parties and career forums. Please keep an eye on your inbox for these important updates.

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