Profile

Dr. Lim Hua Sing
Professor
Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies
Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies
Waseda University

Chinese Economies and Asia [MA]

The Asian economies have shown remarkable development since the second half of the 1980s. Obviously, the background of this development was the rapid expansion of Chinese economic networks connecting Hong Kong, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, China, and North America. The present project research is therefore aimed at investigating: (1) the essential networks of the Chinese Economic Community which are being created, and (2) the cooperation between Chinese businesses and multi-national corporations of Japan, Europe, and the USA. In addition, the market practices, current situation and types of foreign investment of large Chinese organizations (financial cliques) and business enterprises will be studied. Furthermore, the realities of family management within Chinese business enterprises, the relationship between Chinese and local business enterprises in Southeast Asia, the relationship between large provinces in Mainland China and Chinese business practices, etc., will also be examined. All in all, special attention will be given to the most distinctive, as well as informal, business entities of the so-called Chinese Economic Community, and the roles of Chinese business enterprises in Asia.

This project research has been designed to examine the realities of Chinese economies in Asia. A comprehensive study on Chinese economies in Asia is a necessity, should anyone wish to understand the economic realities of Asian countries. Students are guided extensively to read newspapers, magazines, and books mainly on Asia. Within three months after the University's new term starts, students are asked to submit 3-5 page (1200-2000 words) reports either in Japanese or English. Each student is asked to decide on his or her research topic, which must be in some way relevant to the lectures, at an early stage. Revised reports must be re-submitted within two months of receiving private guidance from the Project Research Advisor. Students have to decide their fields of research and dissertation topics within six months, and to be involved in data gathering and extensive reading activities. Students are obliged to submit their well-designed research plans and written framework of their MA dissertations within a year, and then to start drafting/writing their dissertations as soon as possible. They have at least to modify and submit their dissertation drafts about three times before submitting their final draft to the University. The Project Advisor will make every effort to provide guidance for each student. It is hoped that most of the resulting dissertations may reach the highest standards of research.

Publications on "Overseas and Chinese economic research" and research on "Chinese economic communities" have been increasing rapidly in recent years. Students are encouraged to actively participate in international research programmes/workshops/ conferences, and in overseas study and research, in order to understand the real picture of the present stage of Chinese economic communities in Asia, and to gather and analyse the latest data on Chinese economic activities in this part of the world. The Project Advisor will make every effort to train his students in hopes that they will eventually become the owners of enterprises, specialists of international organizations, administrators of the public sector and government organizations, academic staff of universities and researchers of various research institutions, of the 21st Century. The Project Advisor, as a "Chinese scholar" and an "Asia watcher," will fully utilize his personal contacts and extensive networks which he has built with academics, politicians, and entrepreneurs in Asian nations, and to provide comprehensive and exhaustive supervision to all promising students.

Chinese Economic Performance and Economic Development [PhD] (for September 2005 applicants only)

This project research examines Chinese Economies in the Asia-Pacific region. The term "Chinese Economies" here refers to the concentration of just under 30 million ethnic Chinese primarily in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN 10) region and the more than 1.33 billion population in the Cross-Straits (China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan), and is interchangeably used with "Ethnic Chinese Economies".

While the project research deals with the Asian economies in general, we place specific emphasis on studying the "Chinese Economies" or the "Ethnic Chinese Economies".

It takes an individual look at the economic development mechanisms of each of the Asian countries and at the same time, analyzes both the interdependent and competitive relationships (in the aspects of international trade, foreign direct investment, economic aid and technology transfer etc.) of these countries.

Particularly in recent years, economic integration activities in the Asia-Pacific region have gained momentum, and therefore conducting research relating to the establishment of Free Trade Areas (FTAs) and the signing of free trade agreements (FTAs) have become of paramount importance. As a result, research relating to Asian regional economic integration is one of our main subjects.

When we conduct research on the "Ethnic Chinese Economies" or the "Chinese Economies", we need to pay specific attention to the organization, management, international strategies and foreign direct investment aspects of the Chinese business groups in Asia. We should also look into issues relating to the development mechanisms, contributions to the national economies of the local countries and direct foreign investment in China by the Asian ethnic Chinese businesses.

In addition, this research project also explores ways and policies of establishing cordial economic relationship between Japan and Asia and, identifying Japan's role in the Asia-Pacific region, under the umbrella of the "Japanese economic research project". It is in a way aimed at nurturing "experts on Japanese economics" or "experts on Japan-Asia relations". All in all, the main task of this project research is designed to train and cultivate potential candidates to become a bridge (as an academic, a researcher, an entrepreneur, a politician or a diplomat) between Japan and the Asia-Pacific region.

Based on this objective, this project research is opened to all serious and qualified candidates who intend to conduct research relating to the "China economics research", the "Japan economics research", the "Chinese-Ethnic Chinese research" or the "Asian economics research".