Newsletter October 2023 The Center for Peace and Conflict Studies Bridging Diplomacy in Tokyo Dear Colleagues and Friends, With the falling leaves of October signaling a season of harvest, it is my pleasure to share with you the bountiful projects the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies (CPCS) has cultivated since the spring and summer of this year. In this edition of our newsletter: Upcoming Book Publication: Our imminent book, "COVID-19 and U.S.-China Relations," is scheduled for publication by Palgrave Macmillan in early 2024. Leading scholars offer a comprehensive analysis of the pandemic's impacts on U.S.-China relations.
We invite you to explore each of these recent projects in detail within the following pages. Thank you for your ongoing support and engagement with our work. Warm regards, Zheng Wang Director, Center for Peace and Conflict Studies |
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Bridging Diplomacy in Tokyo: Resuming Security Dialogues In-Person The Center for Peace and Conflict Studies (CPCS) proudly convened the U.S.-China Security Dialogue Conference from July 15-17, 2023, in Tokyo, Japan. The conference is the latest in a series of dialogues as part of the “US-China Security Dialogues,” generously funded by the Henry Luce Foundation. Dr. Zheng Wang and the Center have received multiple grants from the Foundation, supporting our US-China bilateral research and dialogue projects since 2016. Significantly, this conference marks our first face-to-face project meeting in three years, following disruptions caused by the pandemic and travel restrictions. |
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Group photo of the participants taken during the conference, July 15, 2023, Tokyo, Japan. |
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Dr. Zheng Wang served as the convener of this conference. Given the fact that hosting the bilateral conference in either China or the US was still not feasible, this conference was conducted in Japan. Chinese and American scholars traveled to Tokyo to meet each other and a group of leading Japanese experts. With great support from Professor Akio Takahara as a co-convener, the Center was able to host this conference on the campus of the University of Tokyo. Participants in the conference included 22 leading scholars from three countries, and an additional seven younger scholars attended as observers. They hailed from prominent universities and think tanks, such as American University, Brookings Institution, MIT, Peking University, Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, Tsinghua University, and Waseda University. The assembly included a retired ambassador, directors and presidents of think tanks, and university deans and professors from the three countries. The conference is structured into three connected, yet distinct, segments: Day 1 - July 15: A trilateral conference titled “Securing East Asian Peace: Meeting Challenges and Managing Conflicts” examined the shifting East Asian security landscape, delved into the impacts of the new arms race and U.S.-China trade and tech conflicts, and formulated proposals to manage and prevent conflict in East Asia.
Day 2 - July 16: A U.S.-China bilateral dialogue, “Recrafting a New Era of U.S.-China Peaceful Coexistence,” engaged discussions focusing on topics such as “Reassessing and Re-perceiving Each Other in the New Era,” “Reopening Scholarly and People-to-People Exchanges Post COVID-19,” “Rethinking Conflict Management Over Taiwan,” and “Recommitting to Global Responsibilities.” Day 3 - July 17: A visit to the Japan Foundation, featuring the Japan-U.S.-China Roundtable with scholars from the Research Institute for Peace and Security (RIPS) and other Japanese organizations.
The Trilateral Conference featured keynote speeches by Prof. Wang Jisi (Peking University) and Prof. Akio Takahara (University of Tokyo), as well as an opening presentation by Prof. Zheng Wang. Ambassador Piper Campbell (American University), Prof. Da Wei (Tsinghua University), Prof. Margaret Lewis (Seton Hall Law) and Prof. Yu Tiejun (Peking University) chaired panel sessions. |
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A visit to the Japan Foundation, with scholars from the Research Institute for Peace and Security, July 17, 2023. |
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Participants unanimously expressed the feeling that being physically present allowed for a depth and quality of conversation that virtual means can't replace, affirming our belief in the special value of face-to-face dialogues. We extend our deepest appreciation to the Henry Luce Foundation, the University of Tokyo, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, our esteemed participants, and everyone who facilitated the successful realization of this conference. Looking forward, the Center plans to organize another dialogue conference in 2024 and develop a book project focused on conflict management over Taiwan. |
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Advancing Negotiation Pedagogy through Experiential Learning In an effort to enhance negotiation pedagogy through practical experience, Dr. Zheng Wang has been invited by the International Negotiation Journal to serve as guest editor for an upcoming special issue, “Innovations in Negotiation Pedagogy through Experiential Learning and Simulations.” This special issue will explore experiential learning in negotiation pedagogy, emphasizing the use of simulations as a teaching method. It aims to broaden the scope of negotiation teaching in interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary settings. International Negotiation is a premier academic journal in the field of negotiation. Experiential Learning Activities (ELAs), spanning simulations, role-plays, group exercises, case studies, and more, immerse students in real-world scenarios and pave the way for practical skill development by enabling them to apply theoretical concepts authentically and reflectively. In the context of negotiation pedagogy, ELAs can help learners develop and practice negotiation skills, enhance their decision-making abilities, and improve their understanding of negotiation dynamics and strategies. The forthcoming special issue aligns with our Center’s commitment to 'Changing the Field.' It aims to expand the boundaries of negotiation teaching across academic realms and nurture educators and practitioners becoming proficient in applying simulations in teaching. The response to the call for submissions for the upcoming special issue has been substantial. We have been fortunate to receive many innovative contributions from around the world. |
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“COVID-19 and U.S.-China Relations”: An Upcoming Book Edited by Dr. Zheng Wang We are pleased to announce the upcoming publication of “COVID-19 and U.S.-China Relations,” scheduled to be published by Palgrave Macmillan in early 2024, with Dr. Zheng Wang serving as the editor. This book, currently in the final stages of manuscript submission, offers a multifaceted exploration of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on U.S.-China relations, delving into pivotal areas such as public health, trade, people-to-people relations, public perception, nationalism, anti-Asian hate, and strategic assessments. It aims to scrutinize the varied ways the pandemic has shaped the dynamics between these two global powers. This project stems from the “Luce Dialogue on U.S.-China Relations During and After the Pandemic,” a dialogue project funded by the Henry Luce Foundation and involving over 60 leading scholars from the U.S. and China participating in the on-line dialogue over the past three years. Representing the inaugural book-length treatment on this topic, the book brings together leading scholars and rising stars from both countries, symbolizing joint efforts and embodying a willingness for bilateral collaboration. Dr. Wang notes, “As the editor of this book, I firmly believe that if scholars from both nations fail to reflect objectively and comprehensively on this disaster and its devastating consequences, it is challenging to envision how the two countries can mend their wounds and rebuild relations and societies in the post-COVID era. We present this book as a substantive starting point and endeavor in this critically important reflective journey.” |
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