***RSVP REQUIRED*** YCW Beijing is delighted to invite you to a talk by David Kelly, research director for China Policy.

Diplomatic Rhetoric: Getting Out of the Trap
with David Kelly

Thursday, August 27, 2015, 7:00PM
Face Bar, Beijing

YCW Beijing is delighted to invite you to a talk by David Kelly.

‘Win-win cooperation’, ‘new-style big power relations’, ‘intimacy, honesty, reciprocity and tolerance’ and ‘communities of shared destiny’ – China’s foreign policy community have heard it all before. These expressions appear to arouse doubt rather than trust in China’s intentions. China’s diplospeak has also revived language from imperial history, such as the ‘new Silk Road’, tianxia (all under heaven) and chaogong (the tribute system).

The view in the foreign policy community is divided. Defenders of the current practices have the top leaders, not least President Xi, on their side where many of these expressions started as direct quotes from the highest levels of Chinese government.

The defence offered for this language is basic – “should a rising China have to fit its diplospeak to other powers’ rules and conventions?” Domestic critics ask, “do we want to convince others or not?”

David Kelly will examine this complex subject through some of the ‘master flavours’ of China’s diplospeak.

David Kelly directs research for China Policy, a Beijing-based research and advisory company working across major policy fields. Heading up the geopolitics portfolio, David’s day job examines China’s record on going global, One Belt One Road and the export of domestic governance. His social science training keeps him engaged with the vicissitudes of contemporary Chinese society where he teaches a graduate course at Peking University. An international media commentator, he appears on the BBC, Voice of America, Australian ABC, Al Jazeera and in leading print media. His special interest is in the external impact of China’s governance model.

There will be a cover charge payable at the door of RMB 40 for this event. The cover charge includes one free drink. Space is limited. RSVP required by August 26th. 

Please direct any questions to beijing@youngchinawatchers.com. 

FaceBar
26 Dongcaoyuan, Gongti Nanlu, Beijing
北京市朝阳区工体南路, 东草园26号
6551 6788

From south gate of Gongti, head south down on Gongti Nanlu. Then immediately east onto Dongcaoyuan, looking for the sign for FaceBar.

Young China Watchers is a dynamic group of China-focused young professionals. Through regular roundtables and talks with senior figures in the China policy and business communities, it provides a chance for engaged individuals to interact and discuss the most pressing issues emerging from China today. It aims to build a global network, fostering the next generation of China thought-leaders.