Chinese Politics: Domestic Transformations and Global Aspirations
Date: November 20, 2025
Location: King’s College London, Lau China Institute
China has emerged as one of the leading actors in global politics. Domestically, the Chinese Communist Party has solidified its power while pursuing ambitious goals in state capacity, economic modernization, and national rejuvenation. Internationally, China’s foreign policy has become more proactive, impacting global governance, regional security, and international norms. These changes raise urgent questions about the direction of Chinese politics and its impact worldwide.
This interdisciplinary conference invites scholars, researchers, and policy analysts to explore the evolving nature of Chinese politics at national and global levels. We aim to foster critical dialogue and novel perspectives on the institutions, ideologies, actors, and strategies shaping Chinese politics.
Conference Themes
1. Domestic Politics in a New Era
Under Xi Jinping’s leadership, China has entered a new phase characterized by political centralization and ideological revival. The CCP’s focus on internal discipline, national security, and ideological conformity has transformed state-society relations. This theme welcomes papers on:
– The structure and evolution of party-state governance
– Political ideology and the framework of “Xi Jinping Thought”
– Surveillance, censorship, and control in the digital age
– Civil society, dissent, and protest management
– Governance in peripheral regions (e.g., Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong)
– Economic governance, financial regulation, and common prosperity
– Leadership succession, elite politics, and institutional change
2. China’s Foreign Affairs and Global Strategy
As China pursues its global interests through diplomatic, economic, and military avenues, its role in the international system continues to generate debate. Whether through the Belt and Road Initiative, regional diplomacy, or strategic rivalry with the United States, China’s foreign policy ambitions are reshaping the geopolitical landscape. We welcome papers on:
– China’s strategic vision in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe
– The Belt and Road Initiative and infrastructure diplomacy
– US-China competition and economic decoupling
– China’s involvement in the United Nations, WTO, WHO, and other global institutions
– Taiwan and cross-strait tensions
– Defense modernization, maritime disputes, and military strategy
– China’s cyber diplomacy, Digital Silk Road, and technological competition
– Global narratives and soft power in the Xi era
3. Comparative and Theoretical Perspectives
This theme encourages submissions that place Chinese politics within broader theoretical or comparative contexts. How does China’s system compare to other authoritarian regimes? What implications does China’s rise have for theories of global order, development, or international relations? Possible topics include:
– Authoritarian resilience and institutional adaptation
– State capitalism and political economy
– Populism and nationalism in a comparative perspective
– International norms and global governance
– Political influence, disinformation, and global propaganda
– Comparative policy analysis (e.g., pandemic response, climate policy)
Proposal Submission Procedures
Submission Guidelines
– Abstract length: 250–300 words
– Deadline for submissions: June 30, 2025
– Notification of acceptance: July 31, 2025
Submissions should include:
– Paper title
– Author name(s) and institutional affiliation(s)
– Abstract (250–300 words)
– Short bio (100 words per author)
Submissions should be sent to: acpsus.org@gmail.com
We particularly encourage submissions from early-career researchers and scholars from underrepresented regions.
Publication Opportunities
Select papers from the conference may be considered for publication in a peer-reviewed journal special issue or an edited volume focusing on Chinese domestic and foreign politics.