The Ecosystem of China Studies in Iran: Introduction to centers, think tanks, universities, and institutions active in the field of China studies<\/p>\n
In recent years, concurrently with the growing importance of China in global economic, political, and geopolitical equations and the increasing level of relations between Tehran and Beijing, studies related to China in Iran have also gradually transformed from a limited specialized field into an expanding interdisciplinary arena. Today, a diverse set of universities, think tanks, research centers, study institutes, and educational and media complexes in Iran, each from a different angle, address the understanding of China; ranging from economics, trade, and foreign relations to governance, culture, language, society, history, foreign policy, and Iran-China relations.
\nThis diversity, although indicating an increased attention to China in the scientific and policymaking atmosphere of the country, simultaneously increases the need for a more accurate understanding of these complexes, their fields of activity, and the capacities they have created. The Iranian Institute for Belt and Road Studies (IBRIS), aiming to help understand this ecosystem and facilitate communication among researchers, students, scientific centers, and active think tanks, has attempted in this section to present a comprehensive picture of the active complexes in the field of China studies in Iran.<\/p>\n
The Iranian Institute for Belt and Road Studies, focusing on understanding China and developments related to the Belt and Road Initiative, strives to establish a link between the fields of research, business, and policymaking. By holding specialized courses, producing and publishing research content, translating, creating podcasts, and establishing a network of researchers, this institute examines various dimensions of China and the capacities for strategic cooperation between Iran and China.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Website: https:\/\/iranbri.com\/<\/p>\n
The Iran-China Friendship Association was established with the aim of helping and facilitating friendly and ancient relations between the two civilized countries of Iran and China by a group of scholars, thinkers, professors, and experts in various cultural, scientific, social, economic, and political fields familiar with the relations of the two countries. During its more than two decades of activity, while coordinating with relevant organs and institutions in Iran, especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in China, this association has endeavored to establish friendly and cordial relations with non-governmental organizations and institutions of China, including the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. It has succeeded in playing a constructive role in developing and consolidating relations between Iran and China during this period. Currently, the presidency of this association is held by Dr. Alaeddin Boroujerdi.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Website: https:\/\/ircfa.com\/<\/p>\n
The Parliament Research Center, as the expert and research arm of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, has shown more attention in recent years to issues related to China and Tehran-Beijing relations. These activities are pursued particularly in the areas of economics, trade, sanctions, foreign policy, and bilateral cooperation capacities. This center has also held meetings and dialogues with the Chinese ambassador and Chinese think tanks and thinkers, emphasizing the expansion of expert interactions between the two countries. With the selection of Dr. Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, as Iran’s special representative to China, this institution is recognized as the governmental hub for China studies.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Website: https:\/\/rc.majlis.ir\/fa<\/p>\n
The China Studies Center of the House of Thinkers was formed with the aim of creating a platform for dialogue and synergy among researchers and think tanks active between Iran and China. Publishing the “Ijung” journal and holding brainstorming sessions among directors of China studies think tanks have turned this complex into one of the connecting points among China studies activists in the country’s think tank sphere. Currently, Dr. Hamed Vafaei serves as the head of the China Studies Center, and his presence has been able to well-direct the activities of this center.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Website: https:\/\/khanahouse.ir\/<\/p>\n
The Research Institute for Islamic Culture and Thought pays attention to the subject of China from a cultural, intellectual, and civilizational perspective and strives to develop scientific and intellectual communications between Iranian and Chinese researchers. The focus on cultural and civilizational dialogues has led to communication with Chinese thinkers; this complex, with the efforts of Dr. Mohammad Mehdi Rahimi Gilani, who heads the Innovation and Technology Center, seeks to take steps toward achieving an Iran-China Davos. Holding delegations between Iran and China consisting of researchers and officials is among the recent activities of the institute.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Website: https:\/\/iict.ac.ir\/<\/p>\n
The China Studies Core of Imam Sadiq University is one of the active academic complexes in the field of China studies, which introduces and analyzes various dimensions of China with an educational and research approach. By holding specialized summer schools, scientific meetings, book discussions, documentary screenings, and thematic sessions, this complex has created a platform to familiarize students and enthusiasts with China’s political, economic, cultural, and international issues. The first summer schools of this complex were held with the participation of university professors, diplomats, and China experts, and recently the fourth summer school of China studies was held by the core with the presence of over eight hundred participants.<\/p>\n
Abrar Contemporary Tehran Institute of Strategic Studies (Research Institute for Security and Progress Studies)
\nThe Abrar Contemporary Tehran Institute of Strategic Studies is among the active think tanks in the field of strategic studies and foreign policy, where the subject of China and Iran-China relations has also been considered as part of its activities. The presence of researchers and experts focusing on China issues, including Dr. Samoudi and Dr. Koushki, has helped develop this field within the complex.<\/p>\n
The ChinNegar Institute focuses on preparing specialized bulletins in this field and attempts to establish a connection between education, production of specialized content, and introducing various dimensions of China’s society and politics. This complex is part of the non-academic and specialized capacity formed around China studies in Iran.<\/p>\n
The Institute for Political and International Studies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as one of the most important research institutions of the diplomatic apparatus of the Islamic Republic of Iran, is active in the field of the country’s foreign relations, including relations with China. Holding several sessions of the Iran-China Think Tank Forum, which has provided grounds for interaction between think tanks and study centers of Iran and China, is considered among the most important capacities of this center in the field of China studies.<\/p>\n
The Namavaran Institute, focusing on Chinese language teaching, is active in the educational sector of the Iran-China relations ecosystem. Language teaching, as one of the main infrastructures for understanding Chinese society and culture, plays an important role in training the human resources needed to develop scientific, economic, and cultural communications between the two countries.<\/p>\n
The University of Tehran, as one of the most important centers for education and research in humanities and social sciences in Iran, has significant capacity in the field of China studies. The academic, research, and educational activities of this university, particularly in the fields of international relations, regional studies, foreign policy, and the Chinese language, constitute a part of the academic body of China studies in Iran. This university has utilized establishing the Center for Asian Research and utilizing the Confucius Institute’s grant to elevate China studies. Also, the Faculty of World Studies at the University of Tehran deals with the field of China studies under the South and East Asia Department and implements diverse programs in this area. The Center for Graduate International Studies at the University of Tehran also brings together centers and researchers active in this field in light of the conference on half a century of diplomatic relations between Iran and China, holds scientific meetings in collaboration with them, and collects and publishes top works in this field.<\/p>\n
Allameh Tabataba’i University, due to its capacities in humanities, its Chinese language major, and regional studies, is considered one of the important academic centers for studying China in Iran. Educational and research activities related to language, culture, foreign policy, international relations, and Chinese society form part of this university’s capacity in the field of Sinology. A large part of Allameh University’s capability is concentrated in the field of language learning.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Website: https:\/\/ccr.atu.ac.ir\/fa<\/p>\n
Shahid Beheshti University is also among the Iranian universities with a Chinese language major that has scientific capacities in the field of China studies. Educational and research activities related to China, especially in the fields of political science, international relations, regional studies, and language and culture, form part of the academic presence of China studies in the country. This university has also established a Chinese Language Scientific Association, which facilitates communication between students in this field and university institutions and organizes events in this domain.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Website: https:\/\/lah.sbu.ac.ir\/chinese<\/p>\n
The University of Isfahan is one of the active academic centers in the field of educating and understanding China. The existence of educational capacities related to the Chinese language and scientific activities surrounding China has turned this university into one of the important points for China studies outside of Tehran. Language learning under the supervision of professors such as Dr. Arian is considered among the strengths of China studies at the University of Isfahan.<\/p>\n
The University of Mazandaran is one of the important universities in the country regarding the development of education and scientific communications related to China. This university also hosts one of the Confucius Institutes in Iran, and through this path, it has created capacities for teaching the Chinese language, understanding Chinese culture, and developing academic communications between Iran and China.<\/p>\n
The Center for Strategic Research of the Expediency Discernment Council is among the top-level policy research institutions in the country that studies issues related to major powers and developments in the international system. China and its position in the international order, as well as the strategic relations between Iran and China, are among the subjects that have received attention within the framework of the strategic studies and analyses of this complex. In this area, professors and researchers such as Dr. Mohammad Reza Majidi and Dr. Mostafa Esmaeili have also been active.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Website: https:\/\/csr.ir\/<\/p>\n
This foundation considers it important to provide education in multiple areas of Chinese literature and culture, along with up-to-date research on industrial and technological advancements, and takes steps in this direction.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Website: https:\/\/bonyad.org\/<\/p>\n
The Soraya Complex, through the production of media and documentary content, has dedicated part of its activities to introducing and analyzing the Chinese experience. The documentary “Beyond the Great Wall of China” is an example of this complex’s effort to present a media narrative of China’s economic, social, and developmental transformations and to create a more general understanding of this country. Part of the activity for the documentary “Beyond the Great Wall of China” in Shanghai was carried out in collaboration with the Iranian Institute for Belt and Road Studies.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Website: https:\/\/sorayatv.ir\/program\/489683<\/p>\n
The Governance Think Tank of Sharif University of Technology can be considered among the complexes that have a significant capacity for studying the Chinese experience in the field of governance and policymaking. Examining developmental experiences, economic and industrial policies, governance systems, and how public issues are solved in China can place this complex at the connecting point between China studies and governance studies.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Website: https:\/\/gptt.ir\/<\/p>\n
Today, China studies in Iran are no longer limited to a single specific field or university. This area is expanding at the intersection of international relations, economics, trade, governance, foreign policy, culture, language, society, technology, and geopolitics. On one hand, universities and scientific cores are responsible for producing knowledge and training human resources; on the other hand, think tanks and policy research centers strive to link this knowledge to foreign policy and decision-making issues. Alongside them, educational institutions, associations, and media complexes also play an important role in language teaching, increasing public understanding, and creating communication networks.
\nKnowing these complexes can help students intending to enter the China field, researchers looking for scientific collaboration, economic activists, and policymakers to better recognize existing pathways for education, research, networking, and cooperation with specialized China centers in Iran. The ecosystem of China studies in Iran is dynamic, and new complexes are forming or developing their activities. Therefore, this list is not static and will be updated periodically by identifying new centers, groups, think tanks, and complexes.
\nThe Iranian Institute for Belt and Road Studies attempts to turn this page into a comprehensive reference for identifying the capacities of China studies in Iran; a reference for those who want to know who, where, and with what approach studies, researches, educates, and produces content about China.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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