Photo Courtesy: nagalandpost
Kohima: The 19th All India Conference of Chinese Studies concluded in Dimapur on October 30. Organizers from the Institute of Chinese Studies in New Delhi and the Department of Political Science at Nagaland University held the three-day event. Experts called for an independent, evidence-based approach to studying China. They want India to move beyond external narratives. Scholars from over 27 institutions attended the gathering.
Participants reviewed 54 papers selected from 90 total abstracts across 11 thematic panels and two special panels. Discussions covered China’s political economy, governance, and societal shifts. Speakers analyzed the impact of the National Education Policy 2020 on Chinese language education and noted a shortage of faculty and programs in Northeast India. The sessions explored diverse topics including state feminism, energy transition, and environmental risks linked to technology infrastructure.
The event tackled heavy technical questions. Presentations examined critical mineral supply chains, AI in Chinese literature, and digital nationalism. Panels highlighted how technological rivalry impacts national security. They pushed for indigenous AI capabilities and robust semiconductor infrastructure. Speakers stressed the need for balancing self-reliance with global cooperation. Organizers pointed to cybersecurity risks in smart-city infrastructure and India’s reliance on Chinese battery technology. One panel summary noted the goal of "strengthening interdisciplinary and comparative approaches, and enhancing institutional capacity for research on China."
Digital inequality remains a major concern. The closing sessions warned of job displacement and ethical dilemmas stemming from foreign technology dependence. Organizers set three priorities for the future: deeper empirical research, interdisciplinary work, and better institutional capacity. Chanakya University in Bengaluru will host the 20th edition of the conference in 2027.
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