The Public Symposium on “the Rise of China and the Changing Trends of Middle Power’s
China Policy” was held at GSIS on April 27th, 2012.
This symposium entailed the presentation of research by the principal analysts,
Professor Yoshihide Soeya and Professor Geun Lee, of research conducted during 2011-2012
on the changing trends of middle powers’ (Japan and Korea) policies toward a rising China.
This joint project between the Institute of East Asia Studies of Keio University (KIEAS) and
the Institute for International Affairs of Seoul National University (IIA) is funded by Korea Foundation.
9 designated discussants (4 project participants and 5 external analysts) contributed their
valuable views on the issue. The discussants were composed of 5 Professors from SNU and
Keio University (Professor Dukgeun Ahn, Professor Ken Jimbo, Professor Jong-Ho Jeong,
Professor Cheol-Hee Park, and Professor Seong-Ho Sheen), Minister Funakoshi Takehiro
and Minister Hisashi Michigami from the Embassy of Japan in ROK, 1 analyst from the National
Institute of Defense Studies, Japan, and 1 analyst from Samsung Economic Research Institute.
There was also active participation and contribution from Professor Cho Chang Bum, visiting fellow
Professor Julia Ya Quin and an audience composed of 52 students.
As part of the project’s aim of developing a network of middle power think-tanks around the world,
the “Rise of China and the Changing Trends of Middle Power’s China Policy Project” has
successfully secured the participation of the Australian National University and possibly ASEAN
members’ participation for the consecutive project year 2012-2013.