About this course: One of the most significant changes in the world in the past 30 years is the opening of China to the outside world and its engagement with that world. In the initial years of the opening, external forces influenced China’s economy, regional balances, bureaucracy, as well as the political authority of local leaders in the coastal areas. More recently, the world is feeling the effects of a rising China which seeks resources and talent from all around the globe and uses its financial wealth to strengthen its position in the world. This course tracks the opening of China up from 1978 until it joins the WTO, focusing on how the world affected China’s internal development. We then look at various aspects of China’s “going out strategy” — its search for energy, talent, as well as its relations with the United States and the states within the Asia-Pacific region. The instructor has been deeply engaged in research on all these topics, having lived in China during various stages of China’s opening to the outside world. Course Overview video: https://youtu.be/7FpNL67EbE4
Created by: The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Taught by: David Zweig, Chair Professor of the Division of Social Science and Director of Center on China’s Transnational Relations
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Orientation and Module 1: China’s Opening to the Outside World, 1978-2000
Before you start with the content for Module 1, please watch the Course Overview, review the Assignment and Grading page, and introduce yourself to other learners who will be studying this course with you.
9 videos, 2 readings
- Reading: Assignments and Grading
- Discussion Prompt: Meet and Greet
- Video: 0.1: Introduction to the Course - China and the World
- Discussion Prompt: 0.1: Discussion
- Video: 1.1: Explaining China’s Opening to the World, 1978-2000: “Second Image Reversed” and “Relative Prices”
- Video: 1.2: Explaining China’s Opening to the World, 1978-2000: Linkages, Leaders and Models
- Video: 1.3: Visualizing China’s Opening: From Autarky to Mercantilism
- Video: 1.4: Applying the Model to China’s Opening
- Video: 1.5: Case Study: Rural Joint Ventures and the Local Alliance with International Capital
- Video: 1.6: Case Study: China’s Decision to Join the World Trade Organization
- Video: 1.7: Conclusion to the Two Cases
- Reading: Module 1 Course Reading
Graded: Quiz 1
WEEK 2
Module 2: China’s Changing Relations with the World, 2000-2016
11 videos, 1 reading
- Video: 2.2 International Political Economy and National Power
- Video: 2.3 Domestic Politics, Leadership and Foreign Policy
- Video: 2.4 Sino-US Relations: The Most Important Bi-lateral Relationship in the World
- Video: 2.5 Sino-Japanese Relations
- Video: 2.6 Sino-Russian Relations
- Video: 2.7 Relations with Taiwan and Hong Kong
- Video: 2.8 China’s Regional Ties
- Video: 2.9 China and ASEAN
- Video: 2.10 China and the Korean Peninsula
- Video: 2.11 China and Central Asia: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
- Reading: Module 2 Course Reading
Graded: Quiz 2
WEEK 3
Module 3: China’s Global Search for Energy and Resources
10 videos, 1 reading
- Video: 3.2 China’s Energy Anxiety
- Video: 3.3 China’s Strategies to Resolve Energy Anxiety
- Video: 3.4 Key Chinese Actors in Energy Diplomacy and Their Roles
- Video: 3.5 Key Actors Outside the Government
- Discussion Prompt: 3.5: Discussion
- Video: 3.6 Case Study: Iran – Balancing Energy Needs and Support for Non-Proliferation
- Video: 3.7 Case Study: Angola – Dealing with an Independent, Neutral and Tough Partner
- Video: 3.8 Case Study: Australia – Energy Diplomacy with a U.S. Strategic Ally
- Video: 3.9 Case Study: Australia’s Quixotic Policy Towards China – Trade’s Strategic Significance
- Discussion Prompt: 3.9: Discussion
- Video: 3.10 Module Conclusion
- Reading: Module 3 Course Reading
Graded: Quiz 3
WEEK 4
Module 4: China’s Global Search for Talent and Technology, 1978-2016
15 videos, 1 reading
- Video: 4.2: Explaining China’s Success
- Video: 4.3 The History of the Policy
- Video: 4.4: Improving Policy After Tiananmen
- Video: 4.5: Bringing the Party Back In: The 1000 Talents Program (2002-2008)
- Video: 4.6: The 1000 Talents Program
- Video: 4.7: Evaluating 1000 Talents Policy and its Limits
- Video: 4.8: Case Study: Academics and Universities
- Video: 4.9: Academics and Universities: Current Reforms
- Video: 4.10: Case Study: Scientists and the Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Video: 4.11: The Need for Reform at the Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Discussion Prompt: 4.11: Discussion
- Video: 4.12: Case Study: Entrepreneurs and the Municipal Governments
- Video: 4.13: Entrepreneurs, Technology and the Search for Shortage
- Discussion Prompt: 4.13: Discussion
- Video: 4.14: Case Study: The Diaspora Option – Serving China from Abroad
- Video: 4.15: Module Conclusion
- Reading: Module 4 Course Reading
Graded: Quiz 4
WEEK 5
Module 5: China’s Rise and the World: A Panel Discussion
In this module, we invited three professors from various universities in Hong Kong to share with us their views on China's foreign policy and China's rise. Let's learn from these experts.
8 videos, 1 reading
- Video: 5.2: External Influences on Chinese Foreign Policy Behaviour
- Video: 5.3: The Role of China’s Leaders in China’s Rise
- Video: 5.4: Domestic Politics and Its Influence on Chinese Foreign Policy
- Video: 5.5: From a Political Economy Perspective, is China’s Rise Changing the World?
- Video: 5.6: Problems of Misperceptions
- Video: 5.7: Can China Rise Peacefully?
- Video: 5.8: Summary on the Panel Discussion
- Reading: Module 5 Course Reading
Graded: Peer-reviewed Written Assignment 1
WEEK 6
Final Exam and Course Evaluation
Now is time to test your understanding on the entire course. Take the final exam and complete the post-course survey. Your valuable feedback will certainly help us improve future iterations of the course.
1 reading, 1 practice quiz
- Practice Quiz: Post-course Survey
- Reading: Rate this course
Graded: Final Exam
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Ratings and Reviews
An excellent course with much to offer. I recommend it to anyone trying to understand China politically.
good course and enjoyed every moment of it
Excellent as the first course of Chinese Politics. The subject, Prof. Zweig, the readings made available, the slides. I just cannot but praise Prof. Zweig an his team. Thank you.
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The best course on Chinese politics I've ever found