Founded in 2013, Oxford China Forum (OCF) is a student-run annual conference aiming to provide insight into the shifting economic, political and cultural landscapes in modern China. As one of the most influential forums on China in Europe, OCF aspires to bring together scholars, professionals in their respective fields, and university students across the UK. In the past two years, OCF has been live broadcasted by iFeng.com, receiving two million views online. Our past speakers include: Kevin Rudd, former Prime Minister of Australia; Sir Christopher Hum, former British Ambassador to China; Xu Xiaoping, founder of Zhenfund; Li Zexiang, chairman of DJI; Liu Zihao, vice-president of jd.com; among many others. We have also had the pleasure to host distinguished novelists like Yan Geling and Feng Tang, accomplished artists like Jin Xing and Xu Bing, and leading scholars like Prof. Rana Mitter and Prof. Nicholas Bunnin.

The theme for OCF2020 is ‘Modern China’. We want to highlight China’s astounding speed of modernisation following the economic reforms forty years ago, and take a close look at the unique version of modernity China has arrived at. Moreover, we want to uncover the complexities and inequalities behind this outward appearance of ‘modernity’ — to truly appreciate its costs and benefits. We believe China cannot be adequately understood with sweeping economic, political or cultural theories; rather, we need to probe the intricacies of the dynamism on a local/micro level. Each and every person in China experiences the country differently — OCF2020 aims to amplify the voices and perspectives of underrepresented groups.