Sichen Li

This course is available on the MSc in China in Comparative Perspective, MSc in International Relations, MSc in International Relations (LSE and Sciences Po) and MSc in International Relations (Research). This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process. For information on controlled access courses, including eligibility, application processes, deadlines, and departmental contact details, please refer to the Controlled Access Courses webpage.

All International Relations (IR4) optional courses at LSE are Controlled Access and require an application via LfY. Students must include a statement in their LfY application of no more than 200 words explaining their interest in the course and its relevance to their academic and career goals.

Application deadline: 12:00 noon, Friday 26 September 2025.

Notification of outcome: by 12:00 noon, Monday 29 September 2025.

After this date, students should consult the MSc Course Availability Spreadsheet for remaining spaces on IR4-level courses. 

For further details, see the LSE Selecting Courses webpage in the first instance or contact IR.Programmes@lse.ac.uk only if necessary.

This course has a limited number of places (it is controlled access) and demand is typically very high. While applications from outside students will be considered, first priority will be given to IR students on the programmes specified in the availability section of this course guide. Offers to students from other programmes not listed here will be subject to remaining availability.

This course examines the economic, political, and institutional sources of China’s rise and its implications for the world. It is organized into two parts. In the first part, we explore key theoretical frameworks for understanding China’s rise, along with different facets of its power—economic, military, and soft power. In the second part, we turn to special topics, including China’s use of economic statecraft, its relations with other countries, environmental policies, the Belt and Road Initiative, and cyber-politics.

10 hours of lectures and 15 hours of seminars in the Winter Term.

This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Winter Term.

Essay (2000 words).

Students are required to submit a formative essay by the end of Week 7. This assessment takes the form of a case study on a topic of the student’s choice and should be approximately 2,000 words in length. The summative assessment takes the same form as the formative assessment. The key difference is that the summative is an e-Exam, whereas the formative essay is a take-home assignment. The formative essay is designed to provide students with an opportunity to practise academic writing and receive feedback to support their preparation for the summative e-Exam.

Exam (90%), duration: 120 Minutes in the Spring exam period.

Course participation (10%).

The class participation accounts for 10% of the grade. It is determined by the simulation game to be held in week 5. Missing one seminar will result in 1 points deduction in the final grade. Excused absences will not affect grades; however, students must notify the instructor by email at least three hours before the seminar. Students with approved adjustment needs who are unable to attend a seminar will not have their grade affected.