UPCOMING PUBLIC SEMINAR: "Understanding the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Framework and China’s role in the Mekong Region" [Bangkok, 3 September 2018]
/09.00 - 17.00, Monday, 3rd September at Alumni Meeting Room, 12th Floor, Kasem Utthayanin Building (อาคารเกษม อุทยานิน), Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
Co-organized by chinadialogue, The Third Pole, Earth Journalism Network, and the Centre for Social Development Studies, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok
The Mekong region is facing a period of rapid change shaped by a significant shift over the past decade in its relationship with China. New pathways of regional integration and intergovernmental cooperation have emerged, including through the Belt and Road Initiative and the Lancang Mekong Cooperation Framework. Associated with these shifts have been deepening trade between China and the Mekong Region, and growing flows of investment from China into a range of projects including large dams, railways, and industrial projects. Whilst these trends reflect a geo-economic shift, longstanding challenges on environmental sustainability, social equity, government-investor accountability to the public and public participation remain. Inevitably it seems, China, as a powerful country, will play a key role in shaping the future path of the Mekong Region.
This public forum will bring together experts and journalists from China and lower Mekong countries to discuss the geopolitical implications of Chinese investment and regional initiatives in the Mekong Region. It will address the Belt and Road Initiative; the challenges and opportunities in transboundary water governance under the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Framework, together with other emerging cooperation issues; and debate by regional journalists about the trends, challenges and successes for Southeast Asia’s media on reporting on China’s role in the Mekong Region.
Program and List of Panelists:
08.15 - 09.00 Registration
09.00 - 09.15 Welcome remarks by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana, Dean of Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University
09.15 - 10.45 Session 1: The Belt and Road Initiative: Geopolitical implications for Asia
Moderator: Asst. Prof. Dr. Carl Middleton, Center for Social Development Studies, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University
'Geopolitics and Geoeconomics of the Belt and Road Initiative' by Dr. Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Institute of Security and International Studies (ISIS), Chulalongkorn University
'The Belt and Road Initiative: A Perspective from China' by Mr. Li Hong,Permanent Mission of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (UNESCAP)
'What does the Belt and Road Initiative mean for US-Thailand relations?' by Benjamin Zawacki, Independent Analyst
'Debt Diplomacy?: The experience of Sri Lanka' by Amantha Perera, Journalist
10.45 - 11.15 Coffee break
11.15 - 12.45 Session 2: Transboundary Water Cooperation – Progress and Challenges
Moderator: Dr. Ukrist Pathmanand, Mekong Research Center, Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University
'Positioning the MRC in the context of the Mekong Lancang Cooperation Framework' by Dr. Anoulak Kittikhoun, Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat
'From GMS to Belt and Road Initiative: Continuities and discontinuities in transboundary water governance in the Lancang-Mekong basin' by Dr. John Dore, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
'The implications of the Xe Pian-Xe Nam Noi disaster for transboundary water governance' by Supalak Ganjanakhundee, The Nation (Thailand)
12.45 - 13.30 Lunch
13.30 - 14.45 Session 3: Rise of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Framework: Emerging cooperation issues
Moderator: Kamol Sukin, China Dialogue
'Regional energy cooperation: Institutions, infrastructure and investment' by Courtney Weatherby, Stimson Centre
'Opportunities for sustainable Lancang-Mekong scientific cooperation' by Chayanis Krittasudthacheewa, Stockholm Environment Institute
'The Lancang Mekong Cooperation Framework: Implications for Thailand and ASEAN' by Apichai Sunchindah, Independent analyst
14.45 - 15.15 Coffee Break
15.15 - 16.45 Session 4: Reporting on the Mekong and China’s role: Trends, challenges and successes for Southeast Asia’s media
Moderator: Sim Kok Eng Amy, Earth Journalism Network
'Challenges and opportunities reporting on the Mekong from China' by Wang Yan, News China
'Chinese power investment and natural resource governance in Myanmar' by Zayar Hlaing, Mawkun magazine
'Obstacles in covering China-investment-related stories in Vietnam' by Bui Tien Dung, Tuoi Tre (Youth) Newspaper
16.45 - 17.00 Closing Reflections
Dr. Sam Geall, China Dialogue
Professor Surichai Wun’gaeo, Center for Peace and Conflict Studies, Chulalongkorn University
*This event will be broadcasted on Facebook Live: www.facebook.com/CSDSChula/
To register for this forum, please e-mail us your name, organisation, and position to Anisa Widyasari (CSDS) at communications.csds@gmail.com. The seat is limited and registration will be accepted on first come first served basis.