Events

25 April 2008

Looking North, Looking South: China and the Southern Pacific

Calls for papers

17-18 June 2008, University of Canterbury

Following the successful conference on political communication held at Wuhan University in November 2007, the University of Canterbury and Wuhan University is jointly convening "Looking North, Looking South - China and the Southern Pacific".

In recent years, China has become one of the dominant players in the Southern Pacific. Both China and its diplomatic rival Taiwan have been "looking South" to develop partnerships with Pacific island states, while Pacific leaders have been "looking North" for new sources of political and financial assistance.

As one of the leading states in the region, New Zealand is increasingly affected by that dynamic. During this two-day international forum experts from China, Taiwan, New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific will discuss a range of issues related to these increasing contacts such as the impact of foreign aid, illegal migration, policing and other security matters, China's role in conflict resolution in the South Pacific, Taiwan's foreign policy towards the region, China's interest in Antarctica, and New Zealand's ongoing relationship with China.