On September 29, the Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy hosted a special session as part of its flagship Frontier Talks series. The guest speaker was Maria Adele Carrai, Professor of Global China Studies at New York University Shanghai, who delivered a public lecture titled “Mapping Global China: New Methods to Understand China’s Expanding Presence”.

In her lecture, Professor Carrai introduced the international research initiative Mapping Global China, which focuses on systematically documenting and mapping China’s activities across different parts of the world — including Central Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. She emphasized the importance of adopting innovative methodological approaches that combine quantitative and qualitative methods, the use of satellite imagery, diverse data sources, and advanced mapping tools to provide a more nuanced and precise analysis of China’s global engagement.

Following the lecture, a lively Q&A session took place, during which university students and IAIS researchers posed a wide range of questions. The discussion touched on infrastructure projects, cultural influence, and opportunities for young scholars to participate in international academic networks.

The event concluded with a meeting between Professor Carrai and IAIS representatives. The two sides discussed potential avenues for academic cooperation, including the involvement of Uzbek researchers in Mapping Global China projects, as well as possible formats for academic exchange and joint initiatives. Both parties expressed mutual interest in strengthening cooperation and agreed to continue the dialogue with a view toward building long-term collaboration.