100 Editions of China Watch: A Message from the Director General of C3S

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(Commodore R S Vasan, IN (Retd), Director General, Chennai Centre for China Studies)

Dear Readers, well wishers and our supporters,

Greetings and good wishes from the Chennai Centre for China Studies (C3S). C3S is the only think tank in Southern India that focuses on all developments of China related issues and carries out in-depth analysis and disseminates the same on a regular basis.

It is a great pleasure to extend my warm greetings and complements to the Research team of C3S on the occasion of bringing out the 100th edition of the China Watch.

The first ideation was launched during autumn 2022. The China Watch has its origins in the Bamboo Shoot which was another regular issue from C3S that carried out contemporary analysis on a regular basis till its transformation. The graduation to China Watch came in 2022 when the need to update readers on current developments on regular basis with sound analysis was felt. The China Watch continues to be very well received with readers appreciating the format, contents and the consistent high standards of rigorous research that goes in to each edition.

The Researchers have put their heart and soul in to the effort and ensured that there was no compromise in the editions that came out every fortnight. All the researchers who handled the CW since its inception need to be complemented for their splendid effort not to just bring out a fortnightly but contributing to improve the contents with each edition. The “Echoes of Time” vertical lunched in 2025 ensured those important days in the Chinese history which occurred centuries or decades ago were traced, marked and analysed critically for its impact and relevance in the current day context.

The Chennai Centre for China Studies (C3S) which completed its 18th anniversary this year has remained steadfast in its commitment to bring about great awareness not just on India China relations, but on other developments that impinge on both the countries irrespective of where it happens.

Another mission for the distinguished members of C3S and its research team is to reach out to the young minds by conducting programmes, workshops, and conferences in the universities in Southern India. The internship programme conducted regularly twice a year has ensured that both UG and PG students are exposed to the nuances of understanding China equations in a dynamic world order. That over 140 interns have passed through the portal of C3S is a testimony to the hardwork by the researchers and the distinguished members who guided the interns in their research.

C3S has also MoUs with many think tanks and institutions and it allows the researchers of C3S to effectively engage with the members, through both online and offline events. I would like to place on record our grateful appreciation for the support received by colleges, universities and other institutions in sustaining the tempo of our activities by working with us and making available the necessary facilities for conducting such events.

Last but not the least, It is my bounden duty to acknowledge the whole hearted support received from the distinguished members who have contributed to our efforts morally, intellectually, financially in this long stupendous journey of the only south based think tank

that has a total focus on China related verticals.

Let me again extend my heartfelt wishes on this occasion of the launch of the 100th issue of the China Watch that bears testimony to the sustained efforts of our young researchers year after year. More power to the young researchers who have kept the flag of C3S flying high. Jai Hind!