Brief Academic Biography

Chen Yao is an Associate Professor at Xiamen University. As a historian by training, his research bridges historical inquiry, area studies, and international relations theory. Empirically, his work focuses on the history of international relations in Southeast Asia, Philippine studies, and China-U.S.-ASEAN interactions. Theoretically, he explores soft power, the conceptualization of "trust power" drawing upon non-Western historical resources, and Global IR. Dr. Chen has published extensively in leading Chinese academic journals, including World Economics and Politics, and leads multiple national projects funded by the National Social Science Fund of China.

Research Fields & Expertise

· Research Fields: History of International Relations in Southeast Asia; Philippine Studies; China-U.S.-ASEAN Interactions; History of Overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia.

· Academic Expertise:  History (History of International Relations)

Education

· Ph.D. in History (Xiamen University, 2010)

Work Experience

· School of International Relations / Research School for Southeast Asian Studies, Xiamen University (June 2026 – Present)

· School of History and Cultural Heritage, Xiamen University (December 2010 – May 2026)

Academic Visiting Fellowships

· Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand (July 2019 – August 2019)

· Cornell University, USA (December 2017 – January 2018)

· National University of Singapore, Singapore (February 2016 – February 2017)

Teaching

· History of Contemporary International Relations in Southeast Asia

· Introduction to Humanistic Classics

· The Rise and Fall of Great Powers and International Order

Research Projects

· Ministry of Education Country and Regional Studies Project (2020): How Can China Smoothly Promote the Belt and Road Initiative in Southeast Asia in the Post-COVID-19 Era? (Principal Investigator, Grant No: 2020-N48, Completed).

· National Social Science Fund of China Project (2017): Strategic Research on Constructing China's "International Trust Power" During Its Rise (Principal Investigator, Grant No: 17BGJ048, Completed).

· Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (2015): Research on the Tripartite Relations among China, the U.S., and ASEAN (1967–2013) (Principal Investigator, Grant No: 20720151020, Completed).

Selected Publications

· "Trust Power and China's Peaceful Development," World Economics and Politics(《世界经济与政治》), No. 10 (2020), pp. 102–132 (1/1).

· "The Impact of the U.S. 'Rebalance' Strategy on China's Maritime Territorial Disputes," Journal of Contemporary Asia-Pacific Studies（《当代亚太》）, No. 1 (2016), pp. 75–99 (2/2).

· "On the Rise of American Sea Power: From the Perspective of Agenda-Setting in Academia, Media, and Government," Journal of Xiamen University（《厦门大学学报》）, No. 4 (2015), pp. 28–37 (1/1).

· "China-ASEAN Political Mutual Trust: Current Situation, Problems, and Model Selection," Southeast Asian Studies（《东南亚研究》）, No. 4 (2014), pp. 34–40 (1/1).

· "Tripartite Interactions among China, the United States, and ASEAN since the Late 20th Century," Journal of Contemporary Asia-Pacific Studies（《当代亚太》）, No. 6 (2009), pp. 72–91 (2/2).

· "On the Unity of Thomas Jefferson's Thought and Practice on Freedom of the Press and Its Causes," Journal of International Communication（《国际新闻界》）, No. 7 (2009), pp. 54–58 (1/1).

· "American Perceptions of China's Soft Power in Southeast Asia," Journal of Xiamen University（《厦门大学学报》）, No. 4 (2009), pp. 44–50 (1/1).

Awards and Honors

· Second Prize, The 15th Outstanding Achievement Award in Social Sciences of Fujian Province (2023, 1/1).

· Humanities and Social Sciences Research Performance Award, Xiamen University (2023, 1/1).

· Second Prize, Advanced Individual in Publicity and Information Work, Xiamen Municipal Committee of the China Democratic League (2024, 1/1).

· First Prize, "Guanghua Scholarship", Xiamen University (2009, 1/1).

· Second Prize, "Graduate Research Achievement Award", Xiamen University (2009, 1/1).