Chinese scholars warned of challenge of ‘translating academic research into policy’
Chinese academic courses designed to deepen understanding of different countries or regions face a challenge in better informing policy and moving beyond frameworks developed in the West, a conference in Beijing has heard. Speakers said that as the country’s international engagement deepened, it needed a better understanding of the nations it engaged with, including their political systems,…
Chinese scholars gathered in Beijing to discuss the challenges of translating academic research into practical policy, particularly in the context of growing international engagement. The discipline, known as "area studies," aims to deepen understanding of individual countries and regions through disciplines like history, politics, economics, and sociology.
However, experts pointed out that converting academic findings into policy is a complex task. Han Zhibin, vice-president of Northwest University, noted that area studies programs are rapidly emerging nationwide, but integrating different disciplines and conducting sustained fieldwork remains a struggle. Di Dongsheng, dean of Renmin University's School of Global and Area Studies, stressed the need for China to develop its own framework for understanding the world as its global influence expands.
The shift away from Western-led structures is driven by China's increasing reliance on its own technology, standards, and capital. Meanwhile, the Global South is gaining prominence in international debates, prompting a move towards more diverse analytical frameworks that challenge Western dominance.
Written by urgent.news from Reuters Business via SCMP's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
