Chongyi Feng

Chongyi Feng is Associate Professor in China Studies at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and adjunct Professor of History at Nankai University, Tianjin. He served as head of China Studies at UTS for 11 years from 1995-2006. As China's first holder of PhD in contemporary Chinese history, he brings unique expertise to his position within the Faculty of Design and Society's Social and Political Sciences department.

Dr. Feng's research focuses on intellectual and political development in modern and contemporary China, political economy of China's provinces, and the growth of rights consciousness and democratic forces leading to constitutional democracy. His work explores the intellectual and political changes within China, particularly examining the evolution of democratic thought and practice. His scholarship bridges historical analysis with contemporary political developments, providing critical insights into China's political trajectory.

His recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on Chinese political development, democracy movements, and the CCP's internal dynamics, with particular attention to the challenges of authoritarian resilience and democratic transition. His work also critically examines China's international relations, particularly the methods of Chinese 'soft power' projection in democratic societies like Australia.

• Named one of the hundred Chinese public intellectuals in the world since 2005
• Author of numerous influential books including 'China's Constitutional Transformation' (2014) and 'Liberalism within the CCP' (2009)
• Editor of significant collections including 'The Political Economy of China's Provinces' (1999)
• Recipient of multiple ARC research grants focusing on Chinese democracy and political development

Dr. Feng has actively engaged with media and public discourse, particularly regarding China-Australia relations and human rights issues. His personal experience being detained by Chinese officials in March 2020 for ten days while conducting research on Chinese human rights lawyers has informed his critical perspective on Chinese state power and its international reach.