National Chengchi University’s “Cross Strait Relations and China Studies – Formation of Modern China and Regional Security Studies” is part of the Top University Project. This research plan begins with a historical perspective to investigate the effects of China’s rise on issues related to Taiwan’s and the region’s security. Compared to the first stage of the project, we have remarkable accomplishments during this current phase. Noteworthy accomplishments have been achieved in academic publications, teaching innovation, and international connections.

     Since 2011, we have published 64 books, including 5 English monographs, with one more forthcoming (Rethinking Social Capital and Entrepreneurship in Greater China: Does Guanxi Still Matter?). In addition, 130 peer-reviewed articles have been published both domestically and internationally, including 42 articles in SSCI journals, 58 articles in TSSCI journals, and 10 articles in THCI Core journals. We also produced more than 100 working papers.

     Our research output covers the fields of politics, diplomacy, economy, industry, environment, NGO, rural development, religion and consumer society. Many articles published in representative journals such as The China Quarterly、The China Journal、Journal of Contemporary China. Particularly, our research team on political change in China has published numerous English monographs and journal articles that are gaining international recognition and reputation. To celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the Founding of the Republic of China, we finished the History of the ROC. Moreover, through the “Sun Yat-sen Memorial Library Database” project, we compiled and digitalized important governmental, industrial, and NGO documents from the Chiang Kai Shek period. There are also several research databases being established.

     In terms of teaching, we launched various international academic programs and courses. These programs include cooperative summer camps with international partner schools and expanding summer camp of elite researchers across the Strait. Especially, our Rural China research team has established a new model of “providing services for research access” in rural areas. It established a certificate system for voluntary works in rural communities and successfully acquired grant supports from The Ford Foundation. From this we have enhanced Taiwan’s impact on the rural development in China.

    With regard to international cooperation, the Center for China Studies (CFCS) cooperates with top international universities including, UC Berkeley (USA), Johns Hopkins University (USA), the University of Virginia (USA), Cambridge University (UK), and Tübingen University (DE). On behalf of TUSA, we have organized 3 rounds of doctoral writing workshops with the Institute of East Asian Studies at UC Berkeley as well as a program of scholar visits. NCCU’s College of Law cooperates with Munich University (DE) to hold the “Drittes Deutsch-Taiwanesisches Strafrechtsforum” and with Tokyo University (JP) and Hitotsubashi University (JP) to hold the “Taiwan- Japan Legal Summer Program.” We have utilized international connections to facilitate research and expertise exchange with institutions in the USA, Germany, Japan and others. The institute of International Relations has launched research projects on the relations between China, India, and Southeast Asian. Cooperation has been established with Jawaharlal Nehru Universit, Kyoto University, and Hanoi University to strengthen academic ties between Taiwan and Southeast Asian.

     In terms of output dissemination and international exposure, we have issued quarterly newsletter in English and Mandarin and distributed through our networks of academics and partner institutions around the globe. We have established high internet exposure, as our center appear on the first page of google search on “center for China Studies”, along with other centers at UC Berkeley, Harvard University, and UCLA. We also share research accomplishments with the international community of China studies by publishing results in periodic Chinese- and English-language electronic newsletters. At the same time, the plan is actively strengthening the existing English-language journal, Issues and Studies, Mainland China Studies; and the English-language Strategic Vision (covering policy studies). The Journal of the History of Ideas in East Asia is published in the humanities fields, and the College of Law began publishing the NCCU China Law Review (bilingual) this year.

     We have gained strong policy and social impacts. The Cross Strait Relations and China Studies plan is of great importance to the current development of cross strait relations, regional security, and economic and social development. Many of the plan’s participants have held government positions (e.g. Vice Chairperson of the Mainland Affairs Council, Advisory Committee Member, National Security Council Member, etc.). The research results are certainly important for policy formulation; for example, the study of China’s legal system is currently a very important reference as China enacts new legislation and carries out legal judgments. Furthermore, our research teams enhanced our impact on civil society in China as well. Through three years of intensive cooperation and research visits with NGOs, our research team on Chinese Mainland NGO and grassroots governance has become an important platform for Chinese NGO workers and activists. We have begun to utilize Taiwan’s democratic experience and exercise indirect influence on China’s social development.

     In May 2016, we will be holding an international conference on the theme of Strategizing the Rise of China: Development, Dynamics and Driving Forces. The conference showcases our efforts in the past few years in facilitating cross-discipline researches in China studies. It will demonstrate the perspectives we developed, research accomplishments and international academic networks. As such, it is expected to be the most significant conference on China studies in Taiwan. During the second stage of the Top University Project with support from the Ministry of Education to build up top research centers, the Center for China Studies has progressively worked to establish itself as the leader of China studies in East Asia and earnestly striving to be among the best in the world.