The 2^nd Conference for

CHINA-SOUTH ASIAN THINK-TANK FORUM

June 6^th 2014 Kunming, China

CONCEPT NOTE

BACKGROUND

The year of 2013 has witness the launching of China-South Asian Exposition in Kunming, which is a great step forward for the enhancement of people to people contacts among China, South and Southeast Asian countries.  Alongside with the 1^st China-South Asia Exposition, the 1^st conference for the China-South Asia Think-Tank Forum (CSA-TTF) is a success in formulating a mechanised think-tank dialogue, by signing the Kunming Consensus.  It is in this document that all participating institutions and delegates agreed that the 2^nd CSA-TTF conference is to be convened in Kunming in June 2014.

China and South Asian countries have long history of extensive trade and cultural exchange.  Since ancient times, there are Northern, Southern and Maritime Silk Road linking China with South Asia. In 2013 China and its neighbours proposed the idea of Silk Road Economic Belts and Maritime Silk Road.  Connectivity has always been an essential element in regional cooperation.  The inheritance of the heritage by the Silk Road and the building of New Silk Roads, has practical and long-standing significance to a strengthened economic cooperation and people-to-people exchange for the cooperation and development of China with the countries along the Silk Roads.

The dialogue and cooperation among the think-tanks is the indispensable element to promoting regional cooperation.  In the current global and regional scenario, formulating a mechanised platform for think-tank dialogue for China with South Asian and other neighbouring countries will help enhance interaction and cooperation for China with South Asian and other neighbouring countries.  We will continue with the effort by inviting major think-tanks in China, South Asian and other neighbouring countries, as well as eminent scholars to join hand in Kunming, to share their views on “Connectivity: Building the New Silk Road”.

THEME AND TOPICS

Theme Connectivity: Building the New Silk Road

Topics 1、The Silk Roads and the Region

Review on the historical interaction and exchanges among the countries and regions along the Northern Southern and Maritime Silk Roads, and the friendly relation as a result of the these interaction and exchanges.

            2、The New Silk Roads and Economic Corridors

Discuss on how the countries and regions along the Silk Roads, with outlook for establishing economic corridors, to strengthen economic cooperation, cultural exchange and share the fruit of regional cooperation; and most importantly, how these countries and regions, in the scenario of globalisation, could join hand to revive the glory of historical Silk Roads.

TIMELINES

The conference will be held on the 6^th June 2014 in Haigeng Conference Centre, Kunming, China. Please inform us your willingness to participate before 30th, April 2014. 

Please send to us documents as listed below no later than 20^th March 2014:

1.     The duly filled participation form (attached below) with your personal information,

2.     Your CV,

3.     the topic and abstract of your paper (preferably in both English and Chinese),

4.     A scanned copy of your passport, and send to us before 30^th April 2014.

The full paper shall be submitted before 10^th, May 2014.

PARTICIPATION

Eminent scholars from famous universities and research institutions who are influential in policy making, are invited to contribute their thoughts and views.  We shall be happy to provide local hospitality for all the participants.

We shall be happy to cover the cost for local accommodation, local hospitality arrangement and local transportation arrangement during the conference from 5th to 7th of June 2014.  The participants shall kindly bear the international airfare.

CONTACT:

Ms Chen Yahui, Director of International Cooperation Office, YASS

Ms Du Juan, International Cooperation Office, YASS

Tel: +86 087164142908, +86 087164141035,

Fax: +86 087164142394

Email: ttforum2014@163.com