On April 23, 2024, the 68th session of the Youth Academic Workshop on International Studies of Fudan University (YAWIS Fudan) convened at the Center for Japanese Studies of Fudan University. The topic of this session is on “Confusion and Gains in Writing Area Studies’ Textbooks: Taking International Relations of Southeast Asia as an Example.”

Dr. He Jiajie, assistant professor at the School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Fudan University (SIRPA Fudan), served as the keynote speaker. Professor QI Huaigao, Vice Dean of the Institute of International Studies of Fudan University (IIS Fudan), moderated the session. Professor ZHAO Weihua, director of the Center for China’s Relations with Neighboring Countries of Fudan University (CCRNC Fudan) provided commentary. This event attracted over 30 faculty and students from Fudan University to join the meeting.

(Dr. HE presented her Confusion and Gains in writing International Relations of Southeast)

Dr. He first began with her own academic training, the characteristics of the students she faced, and the course design, introducing the original intention behind writing the textbook International Relations of Southeast Asia and the core thread of the writing process. On this basis, she shared the confusions and insights encountered during the writing process. The main confusions included how to find a convergence between area studies and the discipline of international relations, how to balance the coverage of history and current affairs in the writing process, how to emphasize knowledge while also considering analytical aspects, what constitutes a Chinese perspective, and how to understand Southeast Asia from a Chinese viewpoint, among others. At the same time, the writing process also brought her unexpected insights. For example, it helped her organize her own knowledge system and improve teaching, gain a new understanding of regions and regionalism, comprehend the interaction between systems and units, balance issue-based research with regional studies, and appreciate the practical wisdom of Southeast Asian countries. Most importantly, writing the textbook also accumulated material for future research, sparked her greater interest in the region of Southeast Asia, and allowed her to experience the value of mutual growth through teaching.

(The 68th YAWIS Fudan)

During the comments and Q&A session, Professor ZHAO Weihua engaged in discussions regarding the historical connections between China and Southeast Asia, narratives of key historical events, and the comparison between Western and Chinese perspectives on history. He also offered his own insights on how to objectively view historical events. Drs. WANG Xiaoyu and CAI Cuihong from IIS Fudan, as well as Dr. YU Bowen from SIRPA Fudan, asked questions and provided comments on the presentation's content. This led to a lively discussion atmosphere at the event.

(Comments by Prof. ZHAO Weihua)

(The 68th YAWIS Fudan)

(The group photo of the 68th YAWIS Fudan)

(The Textbook International Relations of Southeast Asia authored by Dr. HE Jiajie)

International Relations of Southeast Asia traces the history of interactions between the Southeast Asian region and the external world, as well as the processes of diversity formation and integration, revealing how Southeast Asia has gradually integrated into the world system from being at the center of a regional world to becoming its periphery, and then striving to break away from this peripheral status. The book consciously focuses on the logic behind the development of Southeast Asian regionality and regionalism, while also endeavoring to bridge the history and reality of Southeast Asia, reflecting on, and analyzing the systemic pressures faced by the region in its interactions with the external world, and the agency demonstrated in responding to such pressures.

Dr. HE Jiajie received her Ph.D. from the School of International Service, American University in 2018 and joined in the SIRPA Fudan as an assistant professor in the same year. Her main research and teaching focus on Southeast Asian regionalism and international relations, with particular interest in areas such as regional non-traditional security cooperation, maritime order and governance, ASEAN institutional construction, and the dissemination of norms. She is the author of the textbook International Relations of Southeast Asia. Her works have been published in prestigious journals such as International Studies Review, World Economics and Politics (《世界经济与政治》), Southeast Asian Studies (《东南亚研究》), and Foreign Affairs Review (《外交评论》), among others. Currently, she is chairing a research project supported by the National Social Science Youth Project Fund.