KSCB044 Chinese territorial conflicts

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Bc. Denisa Hilbertová, M.A. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Bc. Denisa Hilbertová, M.A.
Department of Chinese Studies – Asia Studies Centre – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Mgr. Bc. Denisa Hilbertová, M.A.
Supplier department: Department of Chinese Studies – Asia Studies Centre – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Tue 14:00–15:40 N43, except Mon 21. 4. to Sun 27. 4.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 25 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 16/25, only registered: 0/25, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/25
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to provide a probe into the territorial claims and disputed territories of the People's Republic of China. State territory, state borders and the ability to preserve one's territory is one of the most important roles of the modern state. Since borders have changed fundamentally throughout history, it is often difficult to "objectively" assess to whom a territory belongs. Several key factors play a role: historical claims, changing demands on natural resources, and the military or international power of the states concerned. Over the course of its existence, the PRC has made a number of disputed claims, some of which it has resolved and continues to resolve peacefully through diplomatic negotiations, others where threats of nuclear weapons have been made and, last but not least, several conflicts where it has used military force.
Learning outcomes
Attention will be paid mainly to the following areas: - the historical development of the region - the arguments of the parties involved and their objectives - attempts to resolve the selected conflict, the PRC's priorities, its foreign policy and the possibility of military conflict - the role of international law, international institutions (sovereignty issues), the influence of 'third parties' and public opinion At the end of this course, the student will be able to: - outline the main line of historical development of the areas in question, point out their strategic and/or mineral potential and explain the causes of the conflict - explain the main arguments of the parties involved and the PRC's position on the issue of conflict resolution - analyse the actions and behaviour of the actors involved in the conflict and their impact on a regional and global scale - critically reflect on the role of international organisations and assess the real impact of their activities - define the ambiguities surrounding territorial disputes under international law
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction to territorial disputes a. Terminology (domestic/border disputes) and the international law b. Historical development and conflict resolution c. PRC's Politics towards minorities d. Diplomatic resolution: Macau DOMESTIC DISPUTES SECTION 2. Hong Kong 3. Xinjiang 4. Tibet and Mongolia 5. I. STUDENT PRESENTATIONS SECTION DOMESTIC OR FOREIGN CONFLICT? 6. Two Chinas - PRC and Taiwan MARITIME CONFLICTS SECTION 7. Territorial conflict in the South China Sea PRC/Indonesia/ Brunei/ Vietnam/ Taiwan/ Malaysia/Philippines a. Paracel Islands b. Scarborough Shoal c. Spratly Archipelago 8. East China Sea - Small islands and a big problem: Diaoyutai/Senkaku a. Japan b. South Korea c. PRC Army 9. II. STUDENT PRESENTATIONS BORDER DISPUTES AND COOPERATION 10. Sino-Indian disputes: Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin 11. China-Vietnam, Bhutan, Burma, Nepal, Pakistan and strained friendship: the PRC and North Korea (Yalu River, Yellow Sea) 12. STUDENT PRESENTATIONS
Literature
    required literature
  • Elleman, Bruce A., Kotkin, Stephen, and Schofield, Clive, (eds.). Beijing's Power and China's Borders: Twenty Neighbors in Asia, Armonk, N.Y. : M.E. Sharpe, 2013.
  • Fravel, M. Taylor. Strong Borders, Secure Nation : Cooperation and Conflict in China's Territorial Disputes. Princeton : Princeton University Press, 2008.
Teaching methods
Seminar Students project and discussion
Assessment methods
- Students will form groups of two and make a presentation on a given topic during the semester. The presentation will be 15-20 minutes long. - The student participates actively in the class, has read the texts prescribed for each class. - one absence is allowed during the semester Fulfillment of these three conditions means the granting of a colloquium.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught once in two years.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2014, Autumn 2016, Spring 2022, Autumn 2023.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2025/KSCB044