The 19th All India Conference of Chinese Studies (AICCS) 2026, jointly organised by the Institute of Chinese Studies, New Delhi, and Nagaland University’s Department of Political Science, concluded on October 30 after three days of deliberations on China, emerging technologies and international relations.
The conference received 90 abstracts, of which 54 papers were selected for presentation across 11 thematic panels and two special panels. Scholars from more than 27 institutions across India participated.
Discussions covered China’s political economy, governance, society, technological development and strategic influence, alongside challenges facing China Studies in India. Participants highlighted gaps in research infrastructure, Chinese language education and academic programmes in the Northeast.
Panels also examined artificial intelligence, digital governance, critical mineral supply chains, semiconductor infrastructure, cybersecurity, digital sovereignty and India-China technological dependencies. Speakers stressed the need to strengthen indigenous technological capabilities while maintaining international cooperation.
The valedictory session called for primary-source-based research, independent and evidence-based understanding of China, and greater participation of young scholars, particularly from the Northeast. It also highlighted concerns over AI-related employment displacement, digital inequality and dependence on foreign technologies.
The conference identified empirical research, interdisciplinary approaches and stronger institutional capacity as priorities for advancing China Studies in India.
The 20th AICCS will be hosted by Chanakya University, Bengaluru, in 2027.
