China Forum Lecture Series

One of the major goals of China Institute at CSUN is to promote a better understanding of China and US-China relations on our campus and in local community. Given that US and China are the two largest economies in the world, and that Los Angeles is the hub for US-China economic and cultural exchanges, we think it is crucially important for our students to have such opportunities. Since its inception in early 2010s, China Forum Lecture Series has brought many distinguished scholars, domestic and international, to CSUN campus. Our faculty, students, and community are enthusiastic about and strongly supportive of this lecture series. During the academic year 2024- 2025, China Institute held one lecture.

On April 3rd, Dr. Yan Long, assistant professor of sociology at UC Berkeley, delivered a compelling presentation to CSUN faculty titled Authoritarian Absorption: The Transnational Remaking of Infectious Disease Politics in China. Drawing from her forthcoming book, Dr. Long examined how China’s public health system was dismantled and rebuilt between 1978 and 2018, emphasizing the role of transnational interactions in shaping epidemic governance. She challenged conventional domestic narratives by illustrating how foreign organizations, government agencies, and social movements not only strengthened public health institutions but also reinforced authoritarian control. Her analysis provided critical insights into China’s COVID-19 response and highlighted how these dynamics advanced the rights of marginalized groups, such as urban gay men.