The FPC and the Open University's International Development and Innovation, Knowledge and Development Centres, in partnership with Lovells, hosted a one-day conference on Friday 21 November which explored the impact of commodities on development in Africa and China. The event sought to illuminate the complex and intricate relationships that constitute the ever-evolving engagement between the People's Republic of China and the continent of Africa. Energy, minerals and agricultural commodities provided a unique and topical framework through which to explore emerging Africa-China relations.

If you would like to receive a copy of the Conference report when it is published in spring 2009, please send your details by email to: events@fpc.org.uk.

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Download Conference programme & Concept note - 'Going for Growth' (120 kilobyte PDF; need help viewing PDFs?)

Date: Wednesday 7th May 2008, 3-5pm

Speakers:

•Salvatore Gabola, Director of Global Stakeholder Relations, The Coca-Cola Company

•Liza Lort-Phillips, Associate Director, Corporate Citizenship

•Graham Baxter, Director,Responsible Business Solutions International Business Leaders Forum(IBLF)

•Sumi Dhanarajan, Co-head,Private Sector Team, Policy Department Oxfam

The Foreign Policy Centre, in association with Coca-Cola Great Britain, presented the third seminar in the 'CSR in Emerging Markets' series on Wed 7 May at Portcullis House. The seminar examined CSR in emerging markets with a focus on marketplace practices, including issues such as consumer relations, ethical trade and responsible investment, and wealth creation. The speakers explored these themes from both business and civil society perspectives.

This event was held in association with Coca-Cola Great Britain

Download Invitation (90 kilobyte PDF; need help viewing PDFs?)

Date: Monday 10th March 2008, 3pm to 5pm

Venue: Grimond Room, Portcullis House, Bridge Street, London, SW1A 2LW

Speakers:

• Salvatore Gabola, Director of Worldwide Stakeholder Relations, The Coca-Cola Company
• Daniel Graymore, Team Leader, Business Alliance Team, Department for International Development
• Daniel Litvin, Director, Critical Resource Strategy & Analysis
• Stephen Twigg (Chair), Director, The Foreign Policy Centre

About this event:

At this event, the Foreign Policy Centre launched a major project on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in emerging markets in association with Coca-Cola Great Britain. The project will explore the role of multinational corporations' CSR practices in emerging markets in the areas of labour standards, marketplace practices, and the environment. With an initial background paper, this launch seminar reviewed recent trends in multinationals' CSR practices, defined the latest debate on CSR, and established the context for the following three seminars which will form part of this project.

This event was held in association with Coca-Cola Great Britain.

Download the initial background paper (140 kilobyte PDF; need help viewing PDFs?)

Date: Tuesday 26th February 2008

Speakers:

• Mark Leonard, Author "What Does China Think?"
• Rt Hon Lord Malloch-Brown, Minister for Africa, Asia & the UN, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
• Professor Zheng Yongnian, China Policy Institute, Nottingham University
• Gideon Rachman, The Financial Times

About this event:

In his new book "What Does China Think?", which was published by Fourth Estate on 18 February, Mark Leonard introduces us to the thinkers shaping China's future, and opens up a hidden world of intellectual debate that could change our world. We know all about the statistics of China's rise – dizzying growth rates, vast currency reserves, new cities built every week. But have heard very little about China as a powerhouse of ideas about politics, economics and world order.

Leonard reveals a Chinese model of Globalisation that could re-shape the face of Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. He shows how experiments with focus groups and opinion polls are changing China from a traditional authoritarian state to a new 'deliberative dictatorship'. And he reveals how Beijing hopes to use a "China Dream" to challenge America's military power. What does China Think? charts the development of a Chinese worldview and portrays the factions battling for influence.

To watch a video of the event, follow this link - http://media.revver.com/qt/709250.mov

This event was held in association with The Fabian Society and the European Council on Foreign Relations.

October 2007

In October, The Foreign Policy Centre and the All Party Parliamentary China Group presented a seminar on The China Model-the Chinese Way in World Politics. The speaker at this event was Professor Pan Wei from Peking University.

Following the success of this event and the high number of enquires received, a transcript of Professor Wei's speech can now be found on our website by accessing the link below.

About the Event

From the "Beijing Consensus" to the "China Model". Three years ago, the Foreign Policy Centre published one of its most influential pamphlets—The Beijing Consensus by Joshua Ramo. Professor Pan Wei of Peking University presented at the FPC a Chinese view of what a China model in world politics might be in the future. It is based on a research project he has just completed with other Chinese scholars. And it is the first time the research findings are presented outside China. Professor Pan spoke about how a superpower China will likely behave in foreign policy and domestic politics and what that may mean for the world.

About The Speaker

Professor Pan Wei obtained his PhD from UC Berkeley. He is one of China's most original and influential thinkers on Chinese politics and foreign policy. His works on "consultative democracy"—the idea that China can have a distinctive form of democracy different from the Western liberal one—has attracted increased attention at home and abroad. His researches on China's rural reform and social values have also been influential. Most recently he has been collaborating with Hong Kong scholars on the "China model" to examine what a superpower China might look like.

For more details, contact feng.zhang[at]fpc.org.uk

Download The Chinese Model of Development (40 kilobyte PDF; need help viewing PDFs?)

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Time: 4.00-6.00 pm

Venue: Committee Room 19, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA

The Foreign Policy Centre and Never Again cordially invite you to a discussion on:

Will China Help Prevent or Provoke Conflict in Africa?

Speakers:

• Stephanie T. Kleine-Ahlbrandt, International Affairs Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations, New York
• Patrick Smith, Editor, Africa Confidential

The Theme

After 50 years of independent rule and Western development practice, people in Africa grapple still with the threats, legacies and realities of violent conflict. Will China's unique approach to development offer new solutions or further complicate local and international tensions? Will China's growing investment in the continent encourage African nations to become independent parties to the world trade regime? Will China's investment strengthen African national economies? How will China's involvement influence good governance, human rights and civil society in African countries? What drives China's Africa policy? This seminar will explore the implications of China's increasing assertiveness in Africa, what this means for African governments and citizens, and for the West which has traditionally played a key role in the region.

The speakers

Stephanie T. Kleine-Ahlbrandt is Programme Manager and Officer-in-Charge, Asia Division, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (2002-2006). She is responsible for human rights and technical cooperation on administration of justice with the government of the People's Republic of China. She is currently on sabbatical and is an international affairs fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, New York, researching the human rights implications of China's deepening engagement with the African continent.

Patrick Smith is editor of Africa Confidential, the world's leading fortnightly bulletin on Africa.

Due to a limited number of places please RSVP to Feng Zhang at:

Feng.Zhang[at]fpc.org.uk or call at +44 (0)20 7729 7566; +44 (0) 78 0976 4855.

Wednesday 7 February 2007

Speakers:

Joshua Cooper Ramo

Martin Wolf, FT

Martin Jacques, LSE/The Guardian

Stephen Twigg, Foreign Policy Centre (Chair)

In this new report, from the author of the widely discussed paper 'The Beijing Consensus', Ramo argues that China's national image, and the misalignment between China's image of itself and how it is viewed by the rest of the world, may be its greatest strategic threat. It argues that alongside its other reforms, China needs a 'fifth transition' if the trust and understanding necessary for the next stage of its development are to be achieved.

This event is by invitation only, for more information, please email alex.bigham[at]fpc.org.uk. For press enquiries, call 020 7729 7566.

This paper has been kindly supported by Hill & Knowlton.

Download Brand China (260 kilobyte PDF; need help viewing PDFs?)

Between 14th and 16th December, the Foreign Policy Centre hosted the visit of Mr Zheng Bijian, Chairman of the China Reform Forum and Mr Li Junru, Vice President of the Central Party School, for a programme of meetings with leading UK politicians, officials, business people, journalists and thinkers. Sessions included a speech, held with the 48 Group in association with the Centre for European Reform and Standard Chartered, on 'China's peaceful rise', meetings with the Deputy Prime Minister, senior Downing Street, Treasury and FCO officials, the Shadow Foreign Secretary and the Lord Mayor, and a special hearing of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee. Zheng Bijian is the former Executive Vice-President of the Central Party School of the CPC, the thinker behind 'China's peaceful rise' theory and a close associate of President Hu Jintao.

Download Zheng Bijian Speech, 'Ten Points of View' (120 kilobyte PDF; need help viewing PDFs?)

Foreign Policy Centre and Centre for European Reform

The Foreign Policy Centre, in conjunction with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and the CER, hosted a half-day seminar in London to coincide with the State visit of Hu Jintao, President of the People's Republic of China. Leading the final discussions of the day, Chinese State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan and British Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott emphasised both the impressive deepening of ties between the United Kingdom and China and the potential for more extensive future cooperation in tackling key global issues, including climate change and energy consumption.

A group of leading intellectuals from CASS engaged in open and spirited discussion with a broad field of British and European thinkers, business people and policymakers on issues ranging from Iran to the G8, from energy security to global economic balances.

The concept of 'Third Way' has been in existence for a long time, but was revitalised in the 1980s and 1990s in the United States and Britain, forming the basis of modernisation of the Democratic and Labour parties. The advance of global markets and the knowledge economy are transforming the economic landscape across the world, generating new challenges for states to combine economic dynamism with social stability.

On 28 June 2005 the Foreign Policy Centre hosted a seminar on New Labour's Third Way philosophy of governance, and its relevance to party reform in China. This was attended by senior members of the CCP, key figures from the Prime Minister's Office, and leading academics on the Third Way and Social Democracy.

In a lively atmosphere New Labour's link between social justice and market mechanisms were discussed. Changes in Britain's social fabric, New Labours' organisational structure and electoral strategy were also examined.

The seminar forms part of FPC's high-profile programme of work on China which has included organising an unofficial summit in Beijing in May 2005 which investigated ways of strengthening the EU-China strategic partnership. Accenture is the Principal Sponsor of FPC's China project.

A breakfast seminar led by:

Dr Charan Wadhva

Former President and Chief Executive, Centre for Policy Research (CPR), New Delhi

and

Zhang Jun Professor of Economics and Director, China Centre for Economic Studies, Fudan University

with Elizabeth Wright (discussant)

Founder, China Policy Institute

23 March 2005

Dr Charan Wadhva has been Research Professor since 1987 and is the Former President and Chief Executive (January 2001 to July 2004) at the Centre for Policy Research (CPR), a leading think tank in New Delhi, India. He has served as Professor of Economics and International Marketing at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) at Ahmedabad from 1970 to 1987. He also held the Reserve Bank of India Chair Professorship at that Institute. Dr. Wadhva was the first Director and Chief Executive of the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), New Delhi. He served as a Member of the National Security Advisory Board, Government of India during 2002-03 and 2003-04. He has also been a member of the Governing Board of the South Asian Centre for Economic Policy Studies (SACEPS) based in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Zhang Jun was educated at LSE and the University of Sussex. He specialises in Chinese economic development with special reference to the institutional aspects of China's economic reform. Over the past two years he has been researching the Indian economy, in comparison with China and has made a number of visits to India.

Elizabeth Wright founded the China Policy Institute in 2003. Former Director of the Great Britain- China Centre, Elizabeth also worked at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office including as Second Secretary in the British Embassy in Beijing (1972-75). From 1984-2003, she worked at the BBC World Service and was Head of Asia and Pacific Region for 9 years. Elizabeth has been a regular commentator on Chinese affairs both on radio and television.

Download event report (90 kilobyte PDF; need help viewing PDFs?)

On Friday 21 January, the Rt Hon Jack Straw MP delivered a key note speech about Sino-British cooperation at an event in Bejing organised by the Foreign Policy Centre and its Chinese partner, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The Foreign Secretary outlined a programme of action for Britain and China in order to push UN reform, a plan for Africa and climate change.

The FPC programme on China and Globalisation was launched by Tony Blair and Wen Jiabao in May 2004 and aims to engage a broader group of actors in the current debate about China's place in a globalising world.

As part of the China programme, the FPC will be holding a high level conference in Beijing in May, in advance of the China-EU summit to be held later this year.

• Read Jack Straw's speech

The Foreign Policy Centre in association with Accenture, held a seminar to discuss EU-China relations with Ambassador Ma Zhengang, China's ambassador to Britain from 1997-2002 and President of the China Institute of International Studies (CIIS), a think tank in Beijing with close links to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Coming one week after the seventh EU-China summit in the Netherlands, Ambassador Ma considered the short and long-term implications of this increasingly significant relationship

Ambassador Ma's presentation focused upon the budding strategic relationship between these two powers and ways to build mutual trust. Among the topics under debate included the continuing arms embargo, China's market economy status, China's human rights record and the significance of Russia and the US to the relationship. The subsequent round table discussion also touched upon China's role as an international actor in multilateral forums, with particular focus on the recent UN High Level Panel's report and developing a joint framework for Europe and China to move their relationship beyond trade and economics.

This was a high-level roundtable discussion held in Beijing on 30 October. It was sponsored by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and China Chamber of International Commerce. Among others, it was attended by Mr. Wan Jifei, President of CCPIT, Alderman Robert Finch, Lord Mayor of the City of London, Mark Leonard, Director, FPC, Professor Yu Yongding, Director of IWEP of CASS and Member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the People's Bank of China, and senior executives from Chinese and foreign banks and from the China Banking Regulatory Commission.

The Roundtable was held against the background of China entering its second phase of implementing WTO commitments, particularly in anticipation of the full opening of China's financial services industry in 2006.

Download the report (260 kilobyte PDF; need help viewing PDFs?)

On the 15th October 2004, in association with the British Council and Accenture, The Foreign Policy Centre hosted a high-level workshop and roundtable on public sector reform in China with members of the Policy Research Office of the State Council (the Chinese Prime Minister's 'Policy Unit'). The discussion centred on lessons from Britain's experience for China's reform process across three thematic topics; effective policy design and delivery, devolved decisionmaking and the lessons of privatisation.

On the 13th November 2004, John Mearsheimer, the R. Wendell Harrison Distinguished Service Professor of Political Science and the co-director of the Program on International Security Policy at the University of Chicago, author of The Tragedy of Great Power Politics, lectured on the likely course of the Sino-U.S. relationship in the 21st century. A prominent realist, he claimed that if China's stunning economic growth continued, China would be unable to continue to rise peacefully. Mearsheimer posited that intense security competition will be increasingly likely as China becomes a peer competitor to America in the Asia-Pacific region, which will create the serious probability of war. A balancing coalition will therefore form against China, led by the U.S. and consisting of Japan, Russia, India, Singapore and Korea, with the result that China and America will be doomed to rivalry.

New 'China and Globalisation' programme launched at Downing Street by Tony Blair and the Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.

Download the report (1.46 megabyte PDF; need help viewing PDFs?)