Leiden Asia Centre

05/04/2024

We have open vacancies on our website, one for a communications intern and one for a research intern. Interested in joining the LeidenAsiaCentre? Go check it out!

Vacancy: Research internship Are you looking for an internship opportunity? Starting from May, LeidenAsiaCentre is seeking a research intern. The deadline to apply is April 19th. Are you an enthusiastic and motivated student interested in modern Asia? LeidenAsiaCentre offers a unique internship oppo...

28/03/2024

Join us for the ninth installment of LAC’s Asia Academy as we delve deep into the heart of Indian democracy with Leiden University Associate Professor Nicolas Blarel. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are campaigning to be re-elected for a third five-year term, as the country’s electorate – compromising over 900 million people – votes in India’s next general elections.

India, home to nearly a fifth of the world’s population, holds the title of the largest democracy—a claim often echoed by the Indian government. However, this assertion is not without scrutiny. Since Narendra Modi assumed office in 2014, the country has moved further into the gray area between democracy and autocracy, largely fueled by Modi’s Hindu-first populism. How big a role does this play in the elections? And can the BJP make sure that India keeps up with its economic growth and rising international prominence? Find out on April 11th!

Join us for the ninth installment of LAC’s Asia Academy as we delve deep into the heart of Indian democracy with Leiden University Associate Professor Nicolas Blarel. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are campaigning to be re-elected for a third fiv...

14/03/2024

Meet our researchers!

Frank Pieke is a Visiting Research Professor at the East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore whose research focuses on contemporary Chinese politics and society and Chinese globalization. His latest report 'Dealing with decoupling from China - Business strategies in a changing world' can now be found on the LeidenAsiaCentre website.

07/03/2024

Yesterday we had an enlightening talk by Jonathan London on the transformation Vietnam has made in the last decades, focusing on political, economic, social and cultural dimensions.

If you still have questions, or you missed the event, check out his book 'The Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Vietnam': https://lnkd.in/e44vKbig

06/03/2024

"The geopolitical waters are turbulent but don’t count China out yet" - LAC researcher Frank Pieke and Bert Hofman on the changing economic and political risks of doing business in China. This article in the The Straits Times comes prior to a China Knowledge Network report on dealing with decoupling from China, which will be published this Friday.

Falling FDI figures are grim but they don’t provide the full picture of how companies are reacting to political pressures Read more at straitstimes.com.

27/02/2024

Come and join us on March 6th for the forthcoming Asia Academy event focusing on Vietnam! Renowned political economist dr. Jonathan D. London will delve into the remarkable evolution of Vietnam in recent decades!

In this talk, leading Vietnam scholar and Leiden University professor Jonathan London delves into the striking evolution of Vietnam over recent decades, showcasing its transition into a market-Leninist state and emergence as one of the world’s fastest growing economies. Drawing on his decades of s...

23/11/2023

Come and join LAC researcher Rogier Creemers and Radboud University's Guangyu Qiao-Franco on December 11th as they delve into a conversation about the emergence of China's Smart State!

What are China's technology ambitions and capabilities? And how does this affect its political and economic relationships?

07/11/2023

Is North Korea’s regime kept alive by the Korean diaspora? Yes, according to some. Leiden University’s lecturer Jake Wright looks at the accusation more closely and questions the attempts to sanction this group. Join us for the fifth Asia Academy!

Sanctioning North Korea: From Hermit to Hermetically Sealed? Is North Korea’s regime kept alive by the Korean diaspora? Yes, according to some. They claim the more than one-half million people of Korean descent living in Japan play an important role in supplying the DPRK government with foreign ca...

31/10/2023

New publication by LAC's dr. Vincent Chang and Eric Zhang on Chinese and Russian official media discourses on World War II. Check it out!

Executive Summary Full report Shared Histories, Distinct Memories: A comparison of Chinese and Russian official media discourses on World War II Eighty years ago on this day, the United States, United Kingdom, Soviet Union and Republic

26/10/2023

The Korean Wave has crashed upon European shores, captivating fans with South Korean TV shows and music. Beyond the dazzling surface, this phenomenon is underpinned by an intricate interplay of societal, cultural, and political factors that shape the media we now consume.

Join us 1 November for the fourth instalment of the Asia Academy! Sign up here:

The Korean Wave has crashed upon European shores, captivating fans with South Korean TV shows and music. Beyond the dazzling surface, this phenomenon is underpinned by an intricate interplay of societal, cultural, and political factors that shape the media we now consume. In our upcoming event, the....

24/10/2023

慶應義塾 / Keio University's prof. Yuichiro Shimizu will present a talk titled "Who became a politician: a portrait of modern Japan" on 12 December at Leiden University, as part of the Leiden Lecture Series in Japanese Studies by Japan Studies at Leiden University. Add the event to your calendar!

This lecture will be held via Zoom: the link will be shared on this page shortly.

04/09/2023

As China’s influence in Africa grows, there seems to be increasing anxiety among Western countries about upping their game in the continent. After China, many countries are now designing their own Africa strategy. What is China's Africa strategy? And what does this mean for the rest of the world?

For more information and registration go to the LeidenAsiaCentre website:

https://leidenasiacentre.nl/event/asia-academy-chinese-presence-in-africa/

15/06/2023

Het LeidenAsiaCentre is op zoek naar een stagiair(e)!

Het LAC biedt een stageplek aan voor de periode juli tot december 2023, twee dagen per week. Zit je in de laastste fase van je studie aan een Nederlandse universiteit en ben je geïntereseerd in modern Azië? Misschien is de stage iets voor jou!

Als stagiair(e) word je zoveel mogelijk ingezet als volwaardig medewerker op meerdere projecten. Primair ben je verantwoordelijk voor het bijhouden van de website, alsmede voor de redactie van de sociale media. Je assisteert bij voorbereidende vergaderingen en helpt bij de organisatie van bijeenkomsten en conferenties.

Ben je geïnteresseerd, stuur dan voor zondag 25 juni 2023 een motivatie met CV naar [email protected], t.a.v. Floris Harm. Meer informatie op https://leidenasiacentre.nl/vacatures/

23/05/2023

Last chance to sign up for our event with Dr Monica Liu on her new book on the reasons why Chinese women seek to marry western men through online dating!

https://leidenasiacentre.nl/event/book-talk-seeking-western-men/

23/05/2023

Commercial dating agencies that facilitate marriages across national borders comprise a $2.5 billion global industry. Ideas about the industry are rife with stereotypes—younger, more physically attractive brides from non-Western countries being paired with older Western men.

These ideas are more myth than fact, Monica Liu finds in her study "Seeking Western Men: Email-Order Brides under China's Global Rise".

In her unique study, Liu explored the life histories of Chinese women who, using commercial online dating agencies, ventured abroad to seek love.

On 25 May, we've invited Liu to discuss her new book. Who are these women? What shaped their desire to pursue emigration via marriage? And how did China's economic growth change their decision?

Find out more during our event!

Date: 25-5-2023
Time: 16:00-18:00
Location: The Hague Humanity Hub
Register via: https://leidenasiacentre.nl/event/book-talk-seeking-western-men/

15/05/2023

On 25 May, we organize a Book Talk with Monica Liu, author of 'Seeking Western Men - Email-Order Brides under China's Global Rise'!

In the The Hague Humanity Hub, Monica will present her research on the lives and decision-making processes of Chinese women seeking to marry Western men they met through online dating agencies. Contrary to stereotypes, most of these women were middle-aged, divorced, and from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.

What shaped these women's desire to pursue emigration via marriage? And how did China's economic growth change this global dating industry?

Join us to learn more about this interesting phenomenon on the crossroads of globalization, gender and immigration!

Register via our website:

On 25 May 2023, the LeidenAsiaCentre has invited Monica Liu, author of the book Seeking Western Men: Email-Order Brides under China’s Global Rise, published by Stanford University Press to give a lecture. This lecture will take place in The Hague Humanity Hub from 16:00 - 18:00, followed by a rece...

13/04/2023

In just two weeks, on 24-4-2023, the LAC organises the next China Café event! This time, we've invited Eva Rammeloo and Aldo Spaanjaars to discuss the effects of economic and political tensions on business in China.

China - Europe: How do economic tensions affect businesses on both sides?

Date: 24-4-2023
Time: 17:00-19:00
Location: WTC The Hague

Registration: On the LAC website. Entrance is €10,-, for students €5,-.

Register now via: https://leidenasiacentre.nl/event/china-cafe-china-usa-europe-economic-regions-dealing-with-tensions-and-looking-for-opportunities/

03/04/2023

On April 18, we organise our next event: 'Sino-Russian Global Reordering?' Join us at Het Nutshuis for a panel discussion with Richard Ghiasy, Justyna Szczudlik, and Eric Zhang. Register via: https://leidenasiacentre.nl/event/event-16-4-2023-sino-russian-world-ordering/

There is a widespread perception, particularly in parts of Europe and North America, that an unprecedented Sino-Russian strategic objective of cooperation and world reordering has emerged. Xi Jinping’s recent visit to Russia only seemed to validate that idea. But is this accurate? Recently the LeidenAsiaCentre published a report assessing the accuracy of this perception by comparing Chinese and Russian visions of world order and actual cooperation across security and political economy dimensions.

In our upcoming panel discussion we will tackle the same topic, and discuss China’s and Russia’s visions for a new world order. Where do these visions overlap? To what extend do China and Russia actually pursue them through practical cooperation? And how has the Ukraine invasion affected Sino-Russia relations?

Sign up now to join the panel discussion!

Date: 18-4-2023
Time: 16:15-18:00
Location: Het Nutshuis, The Hague

Sign up now via: https://leidenasiacentre.nl/event/event-16-4-2023-sino-russian-world-ordering/

28/03/2023

Tomorrow, the LeidenAsiaCentre organises the panel discussion "Europe's Strategic Technology Autonomy From China". For more information and registration, visit our website:
https://leidenasiacentre.nl/event/panel-discussion-europes-strategic-technology-autonomy-from-china/

For our upcoming event we have invited four of the contributing authors to the report 'Europe's Strategic Technology Autonomy' by the Digital Power China research consortium. The DPC research consortium is a gathering of experts and engineers based in eight European research institutions, universities, think tanks, and consultancies.

Join us tomorrow to discuss dependencies in for example the car manufacturing industry, blockchain, and 6G technology.

Date: 29/3/2023
Time: 16:15-18:00
Location: Humanity Hub, The Hague

28/03/2023

16/03/2023

In just two weeks the LeidenAsiaCentre organises the panel discussion "Europe's Strategic Technology Autonomy From China". For more information and registration, visit our website: https://leidenasiacentre.nl/event/panel-discussion-europes-strategic-technology-autonomy-from-china/

The ‘Digital Power China’ research consortium, a gathering of experts and engineers based in eight European research institutions, universities, think tanks and consultancies, has written an extensive report on Europe's Strategic Technology Autonomy.

For our upcoming event we have invited four of the contributing authors to discuss dependencies in for example the car manufacturing industry, , and technology.

Date: 29/3/2023
Time: 16:15-18:00
Location: Humanity Hub, The Hague

10/03/2023

🌏The transitioning security order in the represents ecosystem level changes. How does this impact and in the region? And what does it present for , and the region to work together on?

Learn more about the latest publication authored by Rajeshwari Krishnamurthy and Richard Ghiasy here 👉 https://asia.fes.de/news/security-order-indo-pacific

Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies
Leiden Asia Centre
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, India
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung

16/01/2023

The LeidenAsiaCentre, the New Delhi-based Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies (IPCS), and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) have embarked on a collaborative project titled: The Transitioning Security Order in the Indo-Pacific: Furthering India-EU & Triangular Collaboration Despite the burgeonin...

12/01/2023

The Indo-Pacific construct is -the- prevailing concept. However, before we all engage and contribute, how exactly is it impacting the regional security order and ordening process?
Join us on January 17 to find out. Register via our website: https://leidenasiacentre.nl/event/17-1-2023-report-launch-the-transitioning-security-order-in-the-indo-pacific/

05/01/2023

Over een maand is het weer zo ver: Dé Grote China Kennisquiz. De quiz op 6-2-2022 wordt mede mogelijk gemaakt door onze sponsoren:

D&D Production & Sourcing bv
Coolen China || Sourcing & Purchase Services
Uitgeverij Unieboek | Het Spectrum bv
CinemAsia
Uitgeverij Prometheus
China Access
DSBP Consultants

Meer informatie over de quiz vindt u op onze website: https://leidenasiacentre.nl/event/6-2-2023-de-grote-china-kennisquiz/

Aanmelden voor de quiz is helaas niet meer mogelijk.

08/12/2022

Op 6-2-2023 zal de volgende editie van Dé Grote China Kennisquiz plaatsvinden!

Deze keer weer een winterse versie van de Grote China Kennisquiz, op 6 februari, net na Chinees Nieuwjaar. Er kan voor de achtste keer weer een gooi worden gedaan naar de China Café wisselbeker! En dit alles onder de vertrouwde en onderhoudende leiding van quizmasters Ed Sander van ChinaTalk en Fred Sengers van Blogaap. Schrijf je alvast in en verzeker jezelf van een plekje!

Op maandag 6 februari 2023 vanaf 18.45 uur wordt in de Faculty Club van het Academiegebouw in Leiden gestreden om de Grote China Quizbeker. Welk team mag zich in het Jaar van het Konijn de grootste China-kenner van Nederland noemen?

Schrijf je nu in via onze website!:
https://leidenasiacentre.nl/event/6-2-2023-de-grote-china-kennisquiz/

28/11/2022

In what ways can and cooperate for societies? Join us on December 7 for an online panel discussion!

This webinar follows the 13th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit, and the book “Multilateral Cooperation for a Resilient, Sustainable, and Rules-Based Future for ASEM”, that was a result of that summit.

For more information and registration, please visit our website: https://leidenasiacentre.nl/event/seminar-asia-europe-cooperation-on-inclusive-digital-societies/