A roundtable jointly organised by the Taiwan Studies Programme and the Shool of Geography on China's BRI and Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy followed by a Pathway to Politics careers talk with John Pearson Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Deputy Head of East Asia Department, formerly China Department, and Nottingham Geography alumni).
- 12-12.30pm sandwich lunch
- 12.30-1.30pm roundtable of China's BRI and Taiwan's New Southbound Policy,
- 1.30-2pm Q&A
- 2-3pm careers talk with John Pearson
The One Belt One Road project (OBOR, later known as the Belt and Road Initiative, BRI), initiated by Chinese President Xi Jinping, took shape in October 2013. It is envisaged to connect vibrant East Asia and developed Europe via the Silk Road Economic Belt, linking China with European countries through the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. Its ultimate goal is to facilitate trade and investment in Eurasia and promote economic growth. The BRI triggered great discussion within and beyond China, with the intention of positioning China in an active role of global governance. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s New South bound Policy aims to strengthen economic and civic connections between Taiwan and Southeast Asian countries. Exploring links with Southeast Asian countries, what are the impact of China’s BRI and Taiwan’s NSP on the Southeast Asian countries and what are the implication towards Sino-UK trading relationship especially after Brexit?
The main focus of the career talk from John Pearson will focus on his own academic experience as a Geography student at Nottingham - how he believes his degree helped him to prepare him for the job market, including his employment at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. What it is like to work for the FCO/civil service, both in the UK and overseas, and how students can apply to join the FCO if they wish. Watch a short video of John's last career talk at Nottingham.
John Pearson – Short Biography
John Pearson is Deputy Head of East Asia Department in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. He took up the position in August 2014. John joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1990. He has held a variety of positions in London, including working in the FCO’s Environment Policy and United Nations Departments. His overseas postings have included Madrid; Brasilia; Montevideo (as Deputy Head of Mission); and Singapore (head of the British Government’s network on climate change in South East Asia). His previous position was Head of Trade and Investment at the British Embassy in Mexico City (2012-14). His first degree was a BSc in Geography from the University of Nottingham, where he specialised in coastal environments and air pollutants. He also has an MA in International Peace and Security from King’s College, London, where he wrote his dissertation on ‘Climate Change and the Implications for International Peace and Security’.
Prof Sarah Hall- Short Biography
Sarah Hall is Professor of Economic Geography, at the University of Nottingham, having been educated at the Universities of Cambridge and Bristol. Supported by funding from the Economic and Social Research Council, the British Academy and the Leverhulme Trust, her research centres on London’s international financial district and its relations with North America, Europe and, increasingly, China. She is the author of Global Finance (Sage, 2017) and her work has been published in a number of leading academic journals. She is an editor of the journal Geoforum and held a British Academy Mid Career Fellowship (2015-17). She is currently completing a new book that examines the role of London within RMB internationalisation in order to better understand contemporary processes of monetary transformation.
Dr Chun-yi Lee - Short Biography
Chun-Yi Lee’s constant involvement in research testifies to her enthusiasm for and commitment to the field of Chinese Studies, International Relations and Political Economy. Chun-Yi’s first book was published by Routledge in 2011: Taiwanese Business or Chinese Security Asset. The book is under Leiden Series in Modern East Asia History and Politics. Building on her PhD, Chun-Yi’s research interest aims to investigate the influence of different foreign investors on Chinese workers and local governments. Chun-Yi applied from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) with Prof. Andreas Bieler on the project, ‘Globalisation, national transformation and workers’ rights: An analysis of Chinese labour within the global economy’ in 2010. This project successfully received the funding from the ESRC and started to operate from October 2011 till September 2014. In viewing the Chinese labour facing the challenge of industrial upgrading, currently Chun-yi is working on a research project funded by Chiang-Ching-kuo (CCK) Foundation in Taiwan in relation to ‘Chinese Investment in Taiwan: Challenge or Opportunity for Taiwan's Industrial Development’. This project has finished in December 2016. Currently, Chun-yi is developing a research project relating to Taiwan’s south bound policy. Chun-Yi is leading the Taiwan Studies Program within the school of Politics and international relations, University of Nottingham.