On March 29, the Symposium on Central Asian Situation was held at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), jointly organized by the Institute for Central Asia Studies, ZUFE of Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics (ZUFE) and the Central Asia Research Office of the Institute of Russian, Eastern European & Central Asian Studies, CASS. More than 30 experts in Central Asia studies from national research institutes and universities attended the seminar.
In his opening remarks, Sun Zhuangzhi, Director of the Institute of Russian, Eastern European & Central Asian Studies, CASS, noted the current complexities in Central Asia and its surrounding regions. He emphasized that scholars engaged in Central Asia studies should adopt a multidisciplinary perspective within the framework of Area Studies to conduct comprehensive and in-depth research. Universities and research institutes should strengthen research collaboration and conduct academic studies and think tank work based on the realities of Central Asia.
Zheng Yali, Director of the Institute for Central Asia Studies, ZUFE (ICAS) at ZUFE, stated that ICAS of ZUFE is committed to building a Finance & Economics + Featured Think Tank, serving high-quality economic cooperation with Central Asia at both the national and Zhejiang provincial levels. She expressed her hope to deepen collaborative ties with CASS and research bodies of universities nationwide.
Li Yongquan, former Director of the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies, CASS; Liu Huaqin, Researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation (CAITEC), Ministry of Commerce; Zhu Yongbiao, Dean of the School of Politics and International Relations, Lanzhou University; Xu Tao, Deputy Director of the Institute for Eurasian Social Development, Development Research Center of the State Council; Ding Xiaoxing, Researcher at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR); Han Lu, Deputy Director of the Institute of Eurasian Studies, China Institute of International Studies (CIIS); Wang Zhi, Director of the Central Asia and Caspian Sea Research Center, Xi’an International Studies University; Chen Dongjie, Deputy Director of the Institute for Central Asia Studies, ZUFE, Shaanxi Normal University; Yang Jin, Deputy Director of the Central Asia Research Office, Institute of Russian, Eastern European & Central Asian Studies, CASS, and other leading scholars in Central Asia studies in China, engaged in in-depth exchanges and discussions on topics including internal development dynamics in the Central Asia region and the China-Central Asia regional cooperation mechanism. Chai Zhixian, Executive Director of the Institute for Central Asia Studies, ZUFE of ZUFE, and Li Yuhua, Research Fellow, also delivered speeches.
During the seminar, the attendees exchanged views with relevant officials from the National Think Tank Office and had in-depth discussions on think tank research directions and topic selection.
(Correspondent: Lan Ying Editor: Che Peng)
