Since its establishment in 2004, the Consortium for Western China Development Studies has organized seven conferences on the various themes of western China development. The first conference was held in 2004 in Chengdu on the topic of "Towards a New Paradigm for Developing Western China: Meeting the Challenges of Sustainable Development and Globalization." In 2005, the second conference was held in Yinchuan with the title of "Rural and Sustainable Development in West  China." 2006 saw the 3rd conference in Chengdu, focusing on the topic of "Anti-Poverty and  Regional Cooperation." The conference of 2007 (Guiyang) was framed around the topic of “poverty - stricken and the construction of harmonious society.” The conference of 2008 was organized in Xian on the theme of "Assessment of Western China Development and Future Prospects." In 2009, the conference was held in Lanzhou, titled as "West China Conference: The Retrospect and Prospects of West China Development." The conference of 2010 in Chengdu was about "China Regional Development Model: Ten Years of Western China Development." The conferences have received great support from the Office of Western China Development and some other government agencies. The conference has become one of the important platforms for the international exchanges and collaborations on western China studies.

Sichuan University, jointly with the Consortium for Western China Development Studies and the Western China Development Committee of the China Association of Regional Science, will co-organize the the 8th Annual Conference of the Consortium for Western China Development Studies in Chengdu, China from July 5-6, 2013. The conference is co-sponsored by the Chinese Economists Society. We expect that about 100-200 participants from universities, research institutions, government agencies and business sectors within and outside of China will attend this conference. Many well-known economists from China, the U.S., Europe and other countries have been invited to participate. The conference is expected (1) to serve as a platform for scholars and government officials to exchange their research and development plans on Western China; (2) to submit policy recommendations on under-developed regions to the central government; and (3) to publish a conference proceedings from selected papers presented at the conference. 
 

Theme and Topics:

The theme of conference: the vulnerability and sustainability of western China development.

The conference theme will include, but not be limited to, the following topics:
 

1. The strategy and policy analysis of western China development

2. The vulnerability and strategies of western China development China

3. Social vulnerability and social control in western China

4. Ecological vulnerability and restoration in western China

5. Human resource in western China

6. Anti-poverty and global cooperation 

Those who are interested in organizing special panels are encouraged.

Abstract Submission:

Interested participants should send an abstract of no longer than 300 words to the Program Committee at westchina2013@umich.edu along with the name, title, affiliation, and contact information of the author (s), or use the online submission form at http://china-ces.org/Conferences/ConferenceDefault.aspx?ID=34.
The Paper Review Committee will screen all the papers and send each author a notification of paper acceptance, together with an invitation letter.
 

Publication:

All accepted papers will be included in the conference proceedings. Some selected papers will be published in the Western China Development Review.
 

Deadlines:

April 30, 2013 - Deadline for abstract submission
May 10, 2013 - Notification of paper acceptance
June 30, 2013 - Deadline for full paper submission
 

Registration Fee for the Conference:
 

Registration before April 30, 2013: $80 (or 450 RMB).

Registration after May 31, 2013: $100 (or 600 RMB).

Full-time student: $40 (or 225 RMB).
 

Contact information:
 

China Office:

The Consortium for Western China Development Studies

Prof. Minghong, Yang

The Institute of Social Development & Western
China Development Studies, Sichuan University
P.O. Box 391

Wuhou Qu

Chengdu, 610065

P. R. China

Email:westchina2013@umich.edu

TEL: 86-28-8540-6801
 

U.S. Office:

The Consortium for Western China Development Studies
Dr. Shuming Bao

China Data Center

University of Michigan

330 Packard St.

Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1248

U.S.A

TEL: 734-647-9610

Email: westchina2013@umich.edu