University of Hong KongJune 13-14, 2008

Since the mid-1990s, Internetusage in China has grown veryrapidly. As of September 2007,China boasted 172 million Internet users, the world's second largest,behind only the United States, and523 million mobile phone users, byfar the largest in the world. To trackthese developments, the AnnualChinese Internet Research Conference (CIRC) brings togetheracademic scholars, policy analysts,industry leaders, journalists and legalpractitioners from around the world.

This year, for the first time, thisprestigious conference will takeplace in Hong Kong, China. As the attention of the world will be focused upon the upcoming 2008 OlympicGames, this timely event will explorethe political, social, economic,cultural and institutional aspects ofInternet development in China. Withsimultaneous translation in Englishand Mandarin, the event will be ofgreat interest to anybody whostudies Internet developments inChina.

Entrance to a Shanghai Internet Café. Photo byErica Schlaikjerhttp://flickr.com/photos/eschlaik/358605623/

The conference theme, "China andthe Internet: Myths and Realities,"calls attention to scholarly workthat helps to separate fact fromfiction about the Internet in China. Does the Internet bring moredemocracy to the country? Is therefreedom of expression on theInternet? Does the Internet foster greater integration of China and itsdiaspora? Do the Chinese use theInternet for entertainment only?

The conference will also feature the latest empirical research, as well as qualitative and critical studies of themeaning of information technologiesin the Chinese world.

The conference is organized andhosted by the Journalism and MediaStudies Centre at the University ofHong Kong .

Conference co-organizers include:the School of Journalism and Communication at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, theIntellectual Property Law Center atDrake University Law School, theInstitute for Pacific Asia at Texas A&M University, the SingaporeInternet Research Center (SIRC) atNanyang Technological University,and the School of Journalism and Communication at Peking University.Past conferences were held at Texas A&M University, NanyangTechnological University, MichiganState University, the University ofCalifornia at Berkeley and theUniversity of Southern CaliforniaAnnenberg School forCommunication.

PAPER SUBMISSIONS:

We welcome proposals forpresentations from all disciplines.Proposals can be submitted inChinese or English. Empirical,qualitative, and critically orientedsubmissions are welcome. Invited papers willbuild upon the conferencetheme or address other significantissues regarding Internetdevelopment, use, and impacts inChina and the Chinese-speakingworld.

A proposal of approximately 1500words is due by March 1, 2008.Submissions should be sent via email to Kristy Chan atkhlchan@hku.hk (please include"CIRC" in the subject line).

The proposals will be reviewed on arotating basis, after which authorswill be notified of acceptancedecision by the end of March.Conference participants areencouraged to submit full papers byMay 10, 2008.

STUDENT AWARDS:

Following a tradition of thisconference, graduate students maysubmit papers for the Annual BestGraduate Student Paper Award.Cash prizes will be given to thewinner or winners. To qualify,submissions need to be full conference papers written in Englishor Chinese and authored by or coauthored among graduate students.Deadline for submission is also May10, 2008.

LOGISTICS AND COSTS:

All participants are responsible fortheir own travel expenses. A limitednumber of travel subsidies may beavailable for graduate students andpresenters who lack sufficient funds.To register for the conference, andfor more information, please visit theconference website at http://jmsc.hku.hk/circ.

Lodging: Limited discounted accommodation will be arranged onor near campus on a first-come, first-served basis. Please see the conference website or contact KristyChan (e-mail below) for furtherupdates.

Travel: The University of Hong Kongis in Pokfulam, on the Northwest sideof Hong Kong Island, roughly a 10minute taxi ride from the Hong KongAirport Express station in Central.