Welcome!
Miwa Hirono
Professor | China’s Global Affairs
I am the Professor of International Relations at the College of Global Liberal Arts and the Graduate School of International Relations, Ritsumeikan University. My research examines China's global affairs, focusing on Chinese business activities in the Global South and the interactions between Chinese actors and host communities. My recent publication is Globalising Chinese Actors and Internalising the Belt and Road (ANU Press, 2025). I am now developing “Global China Studies” in Japan—a field integrating theories with Global South perspectives on China. I have held fellowships at Harvard Kennedy School (Fulbright, 2018–19), the University of Nottingham (RCUK, 2008–15), the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and Peking University (2003–04).
Global China Studies
Research Interests
China and the Global South
China’s Peacekeeping/ Peacebuilding Operations
Belt and Road Initiative
China’s Foreign Policy
Sino-Japanese Relations
China’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief
Global Investment and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Framework
EMPLOYMENT
Professor
College of Global Liberal Arts
College of International Relations
Ritsumeikan University
Visiting Fellow
Australian Center on China in the World
The Australian National University
Research & Publications
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Hirono, M. (ed.) 2025. Globalising Chinese Actors and Internalising the Belt and Road: Implications for Global and Domestic Governance, Canberra: ANU Press.
Hirono, M. (ed.) 2021. What Did the Belt and Road Initiative Bring About: The China Question and Investment Dilemma (in Japanese) [Ittaiichiro ha nani wo motarashitanoka: Chugoku mondai to toshi no Jilemma], Keisō Shobō.
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Hirono, M. and M. R. Nurdin (eds.) 2024. ‘Local Knowledge as the Basis of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance’, Disasters, 48(S1), e12634, special issue.
Hirono, M., Y. Jiang and M. Lanteigne (eds.) 2019. ‘China’s Evolving Approaches to the Principle of Non-Intervention’, The China Quarterly, 239, special section.
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Hirono, M. and M. R. Nurdin. 2024. ‘Local Knowledge as the Basis of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance’, Disasters, 48(S1): e12634, June.
Hirono, M. 2024. ‘Diasporas as A Linchpin in Local and International Humanitarian Action: A Case Study of the Chinese in Aceh Following the 2004 Tsunami’, Disasters, 48(S1): e12633, June.
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Hirono, M. 2025. ‘Ittai Ichiro to Kokusai Chitsujo’, 「一帯一路と国際秩序」 [The Belt and Road Initiative and the International Order], Tōa, 『東亜』 [East Asia], 699: 2–9.
Envall, H. D. P., K. Hatakeyama, T. S. Wilkins and M. Hirono. 2024. ‘Japan/Australia Minilateralism in the Indo-Pacific (II): Advancing Cooperation in Order-building and Geoeconomics’, East-West Center, June.
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廣野美和「グローバルガバナンスに関わる中国の関連構想と行動」,『21世紀政策研究所研究プロジェクト：習近平政権三期目の目標と課題―強さと脆さ―』, 21世紀政策研究所, pp. 175–92, (2024)
Hirono, M. 2023. ‘China’s Peacebuilding in South Sudan: “Top-down” Adaptation and Its Effectiveness’, in C. C. A. Muto and R. Farosaraiva (eds.) Adaptive Peacebuilding: A New Approach to Sustainable Peace in the 21st Century, Routledge.
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Hirono, M. 2018. ‘Exploring the Links between Chinese Foreign Policy and Humanitarian Action: Multiple Interests, Processes, and Actors’, London: Overseas Development Institute Humanitarian Policy Group Working and Discussion Paper, January.
Hirono, M. and J. O’Hagan (eds.) 2012. ‘Cultures of Humanitarianism: Perspectives from the Asia-Pacific’, Keynote 11, Department of International Relations, The Australian National University, September.
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Hirono, M. (ed.) 2026. ‘Symposium Proceedings of Global China: Inside Out and Outside In - Japan’s Perspectives’, Global China Studies Ritsumeikan International Symposium, Ritsumeikan University Osaka-Ibaraki Campus, 25-26 March.
Hirono, M. 2025. ‘Everyday Geopolitics in Solomon Islands: “Chinese influence” on aid and investment after the Switch’, Investing in Context: Solomon Islands Society in Geopolitics, Kyoto University, Yoshida Campus, 20 May.
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廣野美和、「中国の『一帯一路』とは？ 専門用語をわかりやすく解説② 一帯一路の今後は？」shiRUto -シルト-、2025年3月7日。
Hirono, M. 2024. ‘Minilateral solutions to the geoeconomic challenges facing Japan and Australia’, East Asia Forum, 2 March.
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Hirono, M. 2018. ‘Will the Belt and Road Initiative Change the International Order?’, IAPS Dialogue: The Online Magazine of the Institute of Asia & Pacific Studies, 26 February.
Hirono, M. 2016. ‘The Opportune Moment: US-China-Japan Cooperation in Conflict-Affected Regions’, U.S.-Japan Research Institute Voice, 20, 18 October.
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PROJECTS
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Chinese Investment and Human Development of Vulnerable Populations in Southeast Asia: Promoting Global China Studies
Supported by:
Chinese Investment and Human Development of Vulnerable Populations in Southeast Asia: Promoting Global China Studies
China’s Foreign Policy and Human Security of Vulnerable Populations in Developing Countries
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AJI – Disasters
Locally led Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance in Asia｜Reconciliation｜Research Projects｜Asia-Japan Research Organization
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Belt and Road Initiatives and the World Orders
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Aspects of the Strengthening of China
Institute of International Relations and Area Studies, Ritsumeikan University
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China’s Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Assistance
Supported by:
China’s Roles in Conflict-Affected Region: The Realities of Non-Interventionism
RCUK Research Fellowship, University of Nottingham
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Non-traditional Security
Economic Social Research Council
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Cultures of Humanitarianism
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Nurturing Future Generation Researchers
Associated with Ritsumeikan University and St Xavier’s College