CHINA-SOUTH ASIAN COUNTRIES THINK-TANK FORUM

June 6th-7th 2013  Kunming, China

Concept Note

BACKGROUND

Today the responsibility for good international relations is not only limited to the government, think-tanks are becoming increasingly influential, and sometimes even irreplaceable, for confidence building and improvement of mutual understanding among countries.  With the purpose of promoting friendly relations with neighbouring countries, deepening mutual understanding and trust between China and its neighbouring countries, we propose this dialogue on enhancing exchange and cooperation among the think-tanks in China and South and Southeast Asian countries, to give full play to the special role of think-tanks in promoting bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

Located in the Southwest frontier of China and being a close neighbour with South and Southeast Asian countries, Yunnan has enjoyed friendly relation and extensive exchange with these countries.  Today, as China’s gateway open to South and Southeast Asia, Yunnan is attaching great importance to the cooperation with our neighbours.  As early as in 1999, the think-tank institutions of China and India initiated the Regional Economic Cooperation Forum among Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar.  Eleven conferences have been held in the four countries till date.  The Kunming Import and Export Trade Fair launched in 1993 and the South Asian Countries Trade Fair starting from 2007 played significant roles in Yunnan’s economic cooperation with South and Southeast Asian countries; and the China-South Asian Business Forum held simultaneously with South Asian Countries Trade Fair, set up a platform for China-South Asia economic cooperation and cultural exchange.  China (Yunnan)-India Cooperation Forum has been held in Kunming in 2010; and in 2011 China Institutes of International Studies and the Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences jointly hosted the China-SAARC: Towards a Better Understanding through Enhanced People-to-people Exchanges for the formation of a mechanized think-tank dialogue platform.  The year of 2013 will witness the launching of China-South Asia Exposition in Kunming, which is a great step forward for the enhancement of people to people contacts among China, South and Southeast Asian countries.

As an important part of the China–South Asia Exposition, the China-South Asian Countries Think-Tank Forum will be held on 6th-7th June, 2013 in Kunming.  The Forum will be hosted by Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Yunnan People’s Government, undertaken by National Institute of International Strategy of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences/Yunnan Academy of South and Southeast Asian Studies, and Yunnan Association for Cultural Exchanges with Foreign Countries.  The Forum will be co-hosted by major think-tank institutions of China and South Asia.

OBJECTIVES

This forum will be an attempt to encourage understanding among China and South Asian countries, explore the role for think-tanks in improving bilateral and multilateral relations; through people-to-people contacts to promote awareness and mutual understanding of the people of all the countries, and to promote cooperation in the field of economic, cultural and social development so that China and its neighbouring countries will maintain friendship from generation to generation eternally.

THEME AND TOPICS

The theme of the forum is Enhance Exchange and Cooperation for Mutual Development in the fields of connectivity in the region and people-to-people contacts, particularly the role of think-tanks in international cooperation.  We hope this conference will be the beginning of a process towards the institutionalisation of the interaction among the think-tanks of China and their counterparts of neighbours, and optimise the role of think-tanks in enhancing bilateral and multilateral relation among China and South Asian countries.

The topics to be discussed include:

(1) Economic Cooperation and Regional Integration

China and South Asia are known for their vibrant economic growth.  Enhancing economic cooperation and promoting regional integration will be conducive to the maintenance of regional prosperity and stability.  In this session we will explore the pattern and fields of cooperation, and opportunities and challenges that we are facing.

(2) Regional Connectivity

The interconnection between China and South Asian countries is a vital factor for economic cooperation and people-to-people contacts.  In this session we shall discuss issues of common concerns on the improvement of transportation infrastructure as well as movement of people and goods.

(3) People–to-People Contacts

A strengthened people-to-people contacts helps the growth of affection and empathy which, in turn, promote friendship and mutual trust among nations.  In this session we will exchange views on how cultural exchange can improve relations among countries, and encourage regional cooperation, with particular focus on the role of think-tanks in enhancing bilateral and multilateral relations.

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.