On July 14th, 2018, the Conference titled “Britain and the World in the context of Brexit” was held in Qingdao campus of Shandong University. The session was organised by the Chinese European Academy-UK, Political Studies Branch of the Chinese European Academy, School of Political Science and Public Administration and Center for European Studies of Shandong University. The theme, “Britain and the World in the context of Brexit”, was mainly focused on how Brexit has brought about the political, economic, social and diplomatic impact to the UK, including the influence upon Sino - British relation. Further, the conference touched upon Brexit’s effects on European Integration process and impact on the world order. The conference is fresh and relevant for in both the academic and ‘realistic field’. The Vice President of the Shandong University, Zhang Yongbing, (CPC Party committee secretary of Qingdao campus), addressed the meeting at the opening ceremony.
In Zhang’s address, he stated that all members of the faculty and staff in Qingdao campus are well informed, open-minded, innovative and progressive. He said the spirit of Party Congress had guided university faculty. He was confident about the expert’s contribution to the development of Qingdao campus and improvement on subjects of politics and public administration. Other speeches followed by Researcher Tian Dewen, Deputy Director of Bureau of International Cooperation, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and Daniel Bell, Dean of the School of Political Science and Public Administration, gave details about themes in profound words. Li Jishi, Assistant Dean of the School of Political Science and Public Administration, chaired the opening ceremony.
Wang Xueyu, Professor at the School of Political Science and Public Administration and director of the Center for European Studies of Shandong University moderated the session. Keynote speeches were delivered by the Liu Yuan (Professor of School of Political Science and Public Administration, Shandong University), Lin Deshan (Professor of the School of Politics and Public Administration, China University of Political Science and Law), Tian Dewen (Researcher of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences) and Zhao Puhuai (Professor of Foreign Affairs University). Experts views in the session attracted participants over issues such as why did the UK withdraw from the EU?; How would Brexit affect British party structure?; and Brexit in the context of globalisation; and emerging trends in Britan’s diplomacy in view of Brexit.
A set of group discussions were held on four major questions. The session on “Brexit and the future of EU” was moderated by Li Jingkun, Researcher of the European Institute of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Scholars and experts spoke about ‘Reflection on EU Strategy in the context of Brexit’; Brexit and the future of a diversified EU; Brexit’s influence on Multi-speed European development path; Rethinking populism; and the characteristics of European populism in the context of "post-truth". Another group focused on “Brexit and British domestic politics”, was held by Ye Bin, Researcher of the European Institute of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Scholars and experts discussed on topics like the NHS issues in Brexit; England problem from the “Brexit” perspective; comparison of British 1975 and 2016 referendum; characteristics and path choice of "New Localism" in Britain. The group chaired by Zhu Guichang (Professor at the School of Political Science and Public Administration, Shandong University) focused on Brexit’s domestic and international influence. Scholars and experts exchanged their views on specific issues related to the influence of the refugee problem on political parties within Europe; “Brexit” and Irish boundary problem; “Brexit” and the future of Britain’s security; The impact of Brexit on Britain's Anti-terrorism efforts; Research on British military Industry and Arms Export since the European debt crisis; and the impact of Brexit on the Hinkley Point C Nuclear Power Station Project. The discussion on "Brexit and Britain-Europe, Britain-China Relations", was moderated by Professor Jiang Shi of Shanghai University. Scholars and experts discussed issues such as the influence of Brexit on EU Development Aid Policy; Foreign Policy of Britain during the negotiation of Brexit and trends in Anglo-American Relations; Britain's China Policy in the process of “Brexit”; Impact of Brexit on Development of Marine Energy in Britain; and Relationship between Britain and China in the context of Brexit.
The conference also arranged two other groups discussion on the themes "British Society and History", moderated by Professor Xie Jingren (Hunan Academy of Social Sciences) and Vice-professor Zhu Zhengmei from Jiangsu Normal University. Experts discussed media regulations in the United Kingdom; European monetary integration policy of Thacher’s government; Narration and political and Cultural Heritage of British Religious Reform and Glories Revolution; Social and Social stratification in the British industrialisation period; England's identity and British National identity; British National mindset of marine.
At the closing ceremony, Wu Xian, Researcher of Political Studies Branch of the European Society of China, summarised the event with a note on the impact of Brexit, Britain and the world in a condition of complexity, turbulence and uncertainty. All sides had similar views that Brexit would lead to specific challenges for policy adjustments in EU. Further, the process of European integration would likely face some serious challenges. The director of Center for European Studies of Shandong University, Wang Xueyu, expressed his heartfelt thanks to the experts and scholars for their valuable support and assistance in the academic activities of the Center for European Studies of Shandong University. Besides, he looked forward to active participation in upcoming events of the European Society. Li Jingkun Researcher at the European Institute of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences chaired closing ceremony of the conference.
This conference was also the annual meeting of the British Studies Branch of the European Society of China. More than 70 scholars researching on Britan and European affairs participated in the conference. They came from more than 30 institutions and universities, including the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; the China Institute of Modern International Relations; the China Institute of International Studies; the Party History and Literature research institute of the CPC central committee; Shanghai European Academy; China University of Political Science and Law; Foreign Affairs College; Tianjin Normal Universities; Wuhan University; Shandong University.
