www.chinacenter.net
A Center for Collaborative Research and Education on greater China
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Founded in 2001, the China Research Center promotes understanding of greater China based on in-depth research and experience. The Center draws its expertise from the universities and institutions around the region, working collaboratively across institutions and jointly with the public and private sectors. The institutions and universities represented by the Associates of the Center include Agnes Scott College, the Carter Center, the Centers for Disease Control, Dalton State University, Emory University, Georgia College & State University, Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Kennesaw State University, Mercer University, Oglethorpe University, the University of Georgia, and the University of North Carolina, Greensboro.
The Associates of the Center believe that favorable U.S.-China relations are critical to supporting economic development in the U.S. and greater China, and to promoting peace in the region. One of the foundations of favorable relations is mutual understanding based on knowledge and open communication. The Associates study a wide range of topics relating to China: Chinese language, culture, media, history, politics, society, international relations, cross-strait relations, demographics, geography, environment, health, the economic system and business conditions. Our goal is to make knowledge and expertise available to a wide variety of constituents beyond our academic community, as well as to enhance our academic work via cross-disciplinary and cross-institutional collaboration.
The greater China region is currently the center of economic growth in Asia. This trend has enhanced business opportunities in China, and led to incentives for Chinese companies to invest abroad. The People’s Republic has joined the World Trade Organization, hosted the 2008 summer Olympics, joined global peace-keeping missions, and contributed to disaster relief efforts. China’s growth and expanding role in global affairs promise to alter the political-economic environment in the years to come. On the local level, Georgia has increasingly become involved with greater China through extensive business development, logistics via the Port of Savannah, study programs for Georgia students, cultural exchanges and tourism, and the growing Asia community in Georgia. Reflecting both these global and local changes, in 2003 the Georgia State Senate committed to study the future relationship between the state and the greater China region in order to better take advantage of the new opportunities. The Georgia China Alliance (georgiachina.com) was formed shortly after that study to promote understanding and ties between Georgia and China. The Center works closely with the Georgia China Alliance, the State’s five Confucian Institutes, as well as many other groups, to promote mutually beneficial ties.
The Center sponsored and co-sponsored numerous events each year. The Center invites an internationally known scholar to give our annual lecture and interact with our scholars. We have organized major business and academic conferences, and have participated in numerous workshops, panels and presentations aimed at disseminating insights and information about developments in contemporary China. The Center publishes a journal, China Currents (chinacurrents.com) with accessible, concise research articles, commentary, and practitioner advice. We also publicize China-related events and provide informational links on the Center’s website at (chinacenter.net).
The Center’s institutional sponsor currently is the Institute of International Business at Georgia State University (iib.gsu.edu). We are grateful for their support, and the support of our private sector sponsors and the Associates’ universities and institutions.
