Keynote Speaker: Prof. Jing Yuejin (Tsinghua University)
Discussants: Lai Hairong, Cai Xia, Liu Mingxing

Prof. Jing Yuejin divided the development of Chinese politics since the 1980s into three stages. In 1980s, political science was resumed; in 1990s, the ruling party shifted the main emphasis of its work from reform and progress to regime maintenance; since the 20th century, opinions diverge in Chinese political science field regarding how to view China Mode.

He pointed out that the measurement of Chinese politics depends on the selected reference system. Compared with the western developed countries or former socialist countries, Chinese politics has changed little. However, if we proceed from our own history reference system, we will find that Chinese politics has changed a lot. He believed that, "party-state system" better describes China's political changes than "authoritarianism". He used five propositions to summarize China's political changes. Firstly, the overall state does not exist any more, but the overall political logic remains rather strong. Secondly, institutional logic restrains reform logic. Thirdly, the Communist Party of China has strong learning capability and adaptability. Fourthly, "party-state system" still has certain flexibility space. Lastly, current "party-state system" is not longer the one in traditional sense.

September 17th, 2010