Institutionalization and Thematization of China-Balkan Relations Research

Session Submission Type: Panel

Brief Description

In this panel discussion, a group of scholars from Beijing's Capital Normal University (CNU) and its Balkan area studies center, the Institute of Global and Area Studies (IGAS), will provide an insightful overview of the history and contemporary landscape of “Balkan area studies” in China. Following the presentation of the historical context of Sino-Balkan relations, panelists will offer a comprehensive exploration of researched, under-researched, and yet-to-be-researched focal areas that link China with Balkan countries from the early Cold War period to the present day, shedding new light not only on the evolution of various aspects of bilateral relations but also on the intricate web of China’s global interconnectedness, and our understanding of how China interprets global events beyond its borders and shapes its worldview. Finally, the panelists will provide insights into the historical evolution and current status of the institutionalization of Balkan area studies in China, a field that is experiencing significant growth and serves as a pivotal entry point for China's engagement with and comprehension of this distinct region.

Sub Unit

• History: Since 1990

Chair

• Zhanjun Liang, Capital Normal U (China)

Papers

• Institutional Building and Development of Balkan Studies in China, 1955-2022 - Zhanjun Liang, Capital Normal U (China)

• The Historical Development of China-Balkan Relations - Zvonimir Stopic, Capital Normal U (China)

• The Thematization of Key Issues of the China-Balkan Relations, 1950s-Present - Ivica Bakota, Capital Normal U (China)

• Shaping New Focus: Trends of Academic Studies on Western Balkan Countries in China Since 1990s - Jianjun Li, Capital Normal U (China)