Disaggregating Chinese Perception of the EU and Implications for the EU’s China Policy
Work Packages
The three-year project has been divided into eight work packages (WPs) that cover various stages as the project proceeds. The duration and work description of each package are indicated as follows:
WP1: Management
Duration: Months 1 to 36
Task Managers: CPI, other partners
Description: WP1 will be led by the China Policy Institute at University of Nottingham, the project coordinator, and supported by other partners. A Management Board consisting of one representative from each partner will be created to oversee the work of WP1. CPI will be responsible for the organization of project planning, the oversight and administration of project implementation, and communication within the consortium and with partners in EU.
WP2: Policy and Scientific Engagement and Communication
Duration: Months 1 to 34
Task Managers: CPI, CH, and other partners
Description: WP2 will also be led by CPI and supported by Chatham House and other partners. The purpose of this project is to build and strengthen interaction between the scientific and policy communities and create channels for facilitating communication of project finding to policy makers. These goals will be achieved through a series of dissemination events, which include a policy brainstorming workshop, to be held in Brussels in month 4, conferences to be held in London and Beijing in months 24 and 34 respectively, and other publicity events in Berlin and Paris. Updating of the official website and newsletters to be released every six months will also serve this purpose.
WP3: Development of the Research Kit
Duration: Months 1 to 5
Task Managers: all consortium partners
Description: WP3 is the conceptual and methodological preparation before researchers go into “the field” to actually collect data. All consortium partners are required to contribute to the design, discussion and completion of four research kits. These include:
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A Conceptual framework
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A Set of Six Survey Questionnaires
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A Protocol of Focus Group Discussion
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A Set of Five Protocols of interviews
WP4: Focus Group Discussions
Duration: Months 6 to 8
Task Managers: CPI, RUC
Description: WP4 brings the project to the stage of data collection which will be undertaken mainly by the two Chinese partners of the consortium with the assistance of other partners. For this task, data will be collected at six Chinese cities. At each city 8 to 10 residents with diverse political, economic, education, career, age, and gender backgrounds will be invited to participate in a one and half hour discussion. Recordings and transcripts generated from the discussion will provide the data for research to be completed at the next stage.
WP5: Public Surveys
Duration: Months 8 to 20
Task Managers: CPI, CASS, RUC
WP5 will contribute to the production of the world’s largest current database on Chinese public opinion about the EU. Two Chinese partners of the consortium, with the cooperation of other partners, will conduct a wide range of face-to-face surveys at SIX sample cities. Using a stratified random sampling method, it is expected that the survey will produce a total of 3000 usable questionnaires. To complete this task, 25 research assistants in each city will be recruited from the senior college students and graduates and trained to conduct the household surveys. A 20% second check will be completed by the survey supervisors to ensure the quality of the interviews.
WP6: Elite Surveys
Duration: Months 8 to 15
Task Managers: CPI, CASS, RUC
Description: WP6 will also contribute to the production of the world’s largest current database on the opinions of Chinese elite about the EU. The survey will be conducted by mail and respondents by considering the high education level of the respondents. From six sample cities respondents will be carefully selected from the following groups: 200 government officials; 200 businessmen; 100 intellectuals, 100 media workers, and 100 social activists. Follow-up mail and telephone reminders will be employed to increase the proportion of questionnaire returns.
WP7: In-Depth Interviews
Duration: Months 15 to 20
Task Managers: CPI, CASS
Description of work:
With regard to EU-China relations, in-depth interviews will contribute to understanding the policy concerns and positions of Chinese government officials, the business community, academics, and lobbyists. The interviews will be conducted by project researchers with key personnel from strategic government departments, related departments in local governments, related economic sectors and think tanks that might influence policy-making. Issues related to foreign policy, global warming, and environmental protection will be investigated according to priority.
WP8: Analysis and Generation of Findings
Duration: Months 20 to 34
Task Managers: all consortium partners
WP8 marks the end of data colleting and brings the project to its final stage—the analysis and generation of findings. The project coordinator and management board will develop a work plan for the division of research and the distribution of findings; two sets of works will be successively generated and aimed at different audiences. The academic papers will be submitted to the London conference in month 24 for communication and criticism. The policy papers and commentaries will be disseminated to the policy associates and other stakeholders by workshops and newsletters. The Beijing conference in month 34 will publicize the research findings to the scientific and policy communities in China. The conference proceedings both in English and Chinese are scheduled to be published in the EU and in China.