Experts Discuss China’s Power at GCNS 2024 in New Delhi

The Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA) recently hosted the second edition of its Global Conference on New Sinology (GCNS) in New Delhi. The two-day event, titled ‘The Art of Power in Zhongnanhai,’ saw enthusiastic participation from scholars, government representatives, and civil society groups.

The conference covered a broad spectrum of topics on China’s elite party politics, military strategy, economic developments, and foreign policy, with a special focus on China-India relations. Featuring over 50 distinguished speakers from countries such as the USA, China, Taiwan, the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, Sweden, and India, the GCNS has become one of India’s largest academic events focused on China studies.

Among the prominent speakers were Dr Guoguang Wu (Stanford University), Prof S.D. Muni (Jawaharlal Nehru University), Dr Jagannath Panda (Institute for Security and Development Policy), Lt Gen S L Narasimhan (Centre for Contemporary China Studies), and Ambassador Ashok Kantha (Former Indian Ambassador to China). These experts engaged in critical discussions on issues such as China’s military modernisation, elite political control, and economic challenges.

Key Sessions and Discussions

China’s Military Strategies

In the session titled ‘How Is China’s Military Defending Its Strategies?’, speakers explored China’s expanding military capabilities and the implications for India. Lt Gen S L Narasimhan delivered a keynote address analysing the modernisation of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) under Xi Jinping. This session also included a roundtable on China’s maritime strategy in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Chinese Communist Party’s Power

Another pivotal session, ‘The Prince and His Party: Power in its Prime?’ focused on the workings of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC), particularly its methods of centralising power within Zhongnanhai, China’s political nerve center. Experts like Dr Guoguang Wu and Dr Wen-Hsuan Tsai delved into how senior officials shape party strategy, while Dr Joseph Torigian provided insights into Xi Jinping’s leadership psychology and its potential future effects.

China’s Economic Strategies

The session ‘Stabilising and Sharpening: How China Safeguards Its Economic Might?’ saw participants discussing China’s economic difficulties, particularly the risks arising from industrial overcapacity. Speakers evaluated China’s economic strategies and their impact on India and global markets. Dr Sarah Y Tong delivered a keynote on the role of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in Xi Jinping’s economic framework.

China’s Foreign Policy

‘Shaping China’s Diplomacy: The Who, The What and The How?’ centred on China’s foreign policy. Discussions covered soft power tools and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Dr Guoguang Wu highlighted the importance of academic consultants in formulating China’s foreign policy, while other participants addressed the future of the BRI and Xi Jinping’s concept of a ‘new type of international relations.’

Special Sessions

Special sessions such as ‘The Tibet Question in China’s Trans-Himalayan Aspirations’ and ‘Identifying the Ideal Torchbearer for the Global South’ discussed China’s strategic objectives in the Himalayan region and its growing involvement with the Global South, drawing comparisons with India’s approach.

Organised by ORCA with the support of Shiv Nadar University and the Policy Perspectives Foundation (PPF), the GCNS provided a platform for deep analysis of China’s political, military, and economic strategies. It facilitated discussions among scholars, policymakers, and strategists on the implications of China’s rise in Asia and beyond.

GCNS -: GCNS stands for Global Conference on New Sinology. It’s a big meeting where experts talk about China and its culture, politics, and other important topics.

New Delhi -: New Delhi is the capital city of India. It’s a very important place where many big meetings and events happen.

ORCA -: ORCA stands for Organisation for Research on China and Asia. It’s a group that studies and shares information about China and other Asian countries.

Sinology -: Sinology is the study of China, including its history, culture, and language. People who study Sinology are called Sinologists.

elite politics -: Elite politics refers to the actions and decisions made by the most powerful and influential people in a country, like top government leaders.

military strategy -: Military strategy is a plan made by a country’s army to protect the country and win wars. It includes how they use their soldiers, weapons, and other resources.

economic developments -: Economic developments are changes and growth in a country’s economy, like new businesses, jobs, and technologies that help people earn money and improve their lives.

foreign policy -: Foreign policy is how a country interacts with other countries. It includes making agreements, solving problems, and working together on global issues.

Dr Guoguang Wu -: Dr Guoguang Wu is a well-known expert who studies China. He shares his knowledge about Chinese politics and society.

Prof S.D. Muni -: Prof S.D. Muni is a famous Indian professor who knows a lot about Asian politics and international relations.

Lt Gen S L Narasimhan -: Lt Gen S L Narasimhan is a high-ranking officer in the Indian Army who has a lot of experience and knowledge about military matters.

China-India relations -: China-India relations are the ways in which China and India interact with each other. This includes trade, politics, and solving any problems between the two countries.