CCS visits to Asia in August
Prof. Scarlett Cornelissen, Interim Director of the Centre for Chinese Studies, and Mr Matthew McDonald, a research analyst at the CCS, undertook separate, extended research visits to East Asia during the month of August.

Dr. Hu Mei China Forum – 5 August 2010
Recently Dr Hu Mei, from Zheijiang Normal University and visiting scholar at the Centre for Chinese Studies (CCS) presented a CCS China Forum seminar at Stellenbosch University. Her topic of discussion focused on Sino – South African cooperation in development assistance to Africa..

CNBC Africa interview with Sanne Mars – 17August 2010
On 17 August 2010, CNBC Africa’s Talia Sanhewe interviewed senior analyst of the Centre for Chinese Studies, Ms Sanne van der Lugt. The interview centred on doing business with China and the myths surrounding it.

Zheijiang Normal University visits the CCS – 17 August 2010

Recently a delegation from Zheijiang Normal University including Wu Fengmin, the President of Zhejiang Normal University, visited the Centre for Chinese Studies and various departments at the Stellenbosch University. During the visit, an agreement was signed between the two universities which will create a framework for joint research, student mobility and the participation of international students in SU short programmes.

Hangzhou Municipality visits the CCS – 18 August 2010
Hangzhou Municipal People’s Association recently visited the Centre for Chinese Studies in which a presentation on the CCS was presented to members of the Association. The Hangzhou Association, including Mr. Yu Rongren, Chairman of the Association was recently hosted by the City of Cape Town. The visit was based on discussions of education, culture and the possibility of establishing relations between the city of Cape Town and the city of Hangzhou.

CNIE visit to the CCS – 18 August 2010
The China NGO Network for International Exchange (CNIE) recently visited the Centre for Chinese Studies. The CNIE delegation met CCS staff to discuss ways of creating  future cooperation and relations between the two organisations.

CNIE workshop – 19 August 2010
On 19 August 2010 the Chinese NGO Network for International Exchanges (CNIE) and FAHAMU – the network for social justice, jointly hosted a seminar in Cape Town in which the Centre for Chinese Studies took part. Matters of discussion centred on: environment and public health, development with a stress on women and poverty eradication, Sino-African relations and Sino-SA relations.

Sanne van der Lugt interview with ETV News – 19 August 2010
Recently Ms Sanne van der Lugt, senior analyst at the Centre for Chinese Studies was interviewed on ETV News – a South African news broadcaster. The interview focused primarily on the recent state visit of South African President Jacob Zuma to China.

Dr. Stephen Burgess interview – 20 August 2010
On 20 August 2010, Sanne van der Lugt, senior analyst at the Centre for Chinese Studies (CCS) was interviewed by Dr. Stephen Burgess of the University of Victoria , Australia.

Chinese Ambassador Shu Zan visit and China Forum – 20 August 2010
Recently the Chinese Ambassador to France, Shu Zan, visited the Centre for Chinese Studies. The Ambassador also presented a roundtable discussion on the topic of “Normal South Africans’ attitudes towards Sino-Africa cooperation.” The roundtable was attended by students and faculty members of Stellenbosch University.

CCS interviewed by Beijing Youth Daily – 28 August 2010
On 28th August, 2010, Interim Director of the CCS, Prof. Scarlett Cornelissen was interviewed by China’s Beijing Youth Daily newspaper about the current South African diplomatic delegation led by President Jacob Zuma visiting the PRC. The article was published on 28th Auhust in Beijing.

CCS Analyst interviewed by Singaporean journalist – 30 June 2010
Matthew McDonald, a research analyst at the CCS was interviewed for the Singaporean Press during the recent Global Forum. The interview is forthcoming.

CCS attends CODESRIA meeting in Dakar, Senegal – 9-10 July, 2010
Sanne van der Lugt, a research analyst at the CCS recently attended the 1st meeting of the Provisional Steering Group of the Africa Forum and workshop hosted by the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa, based in Dakar, Senegal. The workshop brought together representatives from research organisations in different African regions to discuss a series of proposals to be undertaken in joint venture, derived from an initiative launched at the last FOCAC meeting n Egypt in 2009.

CCS presentation at IHS Global Insight Business Conference – 20 July, 2010
Matthew McDonald, a research analyst at the CCS delivered a presentation at the HIS Global Insight Africa Economic Outlook Conference – Understanding the Economic Recovery held in Sandton, Johannesburg. His presentation focused on micro-economic issues regarding the contours of China-South African business interaction and was attended by business representatives and entrepreneurs from the region.

CCS attends preparatory meeting for China – DAC group study – 22 July, 2010
CCS Research analyst Sanne van der Lugt attended a meeting of the China – DAC group in Beijing recently. The meeting was held to discuss a proposed study into the impact of infrastructural investment in African countries by China to be conducted by the group, with an eye towards formulating protocols for best practice. Further details of the proposed study are forthcoming.

CCS attends first China-Africa conference in Macau – 24-25 May, 2010

CCS Research Analyst, Sanne Mars-van der Lugt, attended a China-Africa conference in Macau called: “China-Africa: New Types of Exchange, Cultural Identity and Emerging Relations in a Globalized World.” The conference was hosted by the Centre for African Research and Development Studies (CARDS) of the University of Saint Joseph in Macau. Mrs. Mars-van der Lugt presented a paper on: “A Critical Analysis of the Need for Regional Integration in Africa and the Role of China.” The conference was attended by scholars and diplomats from China and Africa alike.

Visit by China NGO Network for International Exchange – 5^th June, 2010

On June 5, Ms. Shen Beili, Deputy Secretary General of the China NGO Network for International Exchanges (CNIE), and Ms. Wu Lin paid the Centre for Chinese Studies a visit. During this visit possibilities for cooperation were discussed.

Professor Li Minghuan of Xiamen University visit to CCS and seminar – 7 June 2010

Professor Li Minghuan of Xiamen University in China recently visited the Centre for Chinese Studies as part of her research on migration. Professor Li further hosted a CCS Chinese Forum seminar on Transnational Migration from South China: Regular and Irregular Dimensions. Prof. Li majored in migration studies at the Institute of Population Studies, School of Public Affairs, Xiamen University, China. She is also the Consultant of Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of State Council, China. Her presentation discussed her explorations of transnational migration culture in South China, as well as her systematization of transnational migration history from South China to Europe and her study of its social consequences.

CCS / SAIIA Roundtable – 8 June 2010

On 8 June 2010, the Centre for Chinese Studies in association with the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) hosted a Roundtable on China’s Role in Africa’s Development at the Centre for the Book in Cape Town. The Roundtable sought to debate the role of China in Africa’s development process and to further disseminate recent outcomes of research conducted in both institutions. The event was attended by academics, research associates and members of the public.

CCS publishes article in ChinAfrica magazine – June 2010

CCS Research Analyst, Matthew McDonald, recently published an opinion piece in the June edition of the periodical ChinAfrica. His article focused critically on the international discourse surrounding the proposed revaluation of the Chinese Yuan Renminbi.