Curriculum Vitae

DR. LEE CHEE LEONG

Senior Lecturer
  • Institute of China Studies
    Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

BIOGRAPHY


 

Started his research career in the think tank sector, Dr. Lee Chee Leong (Karl) is attracted to the rise of non-traditional diplomacy in the international order today. Such appeal has taken Dr. Lee into new research horizons that started with his Monash University's doctoral research on the Chinese sub-state diplomacy in China-ASEAN economic cooperation. With constructive supervision by Professor Helen Nesadurai and Associate Professor Kuik Cheng Chwee, Dr. Lee completed his doctoral thesis that unravels how a faraway and least developed sub-state of Guangxi managed to overcome its own hurdles, navigate the complexities within the Chinese state and become the frontline actor in China-ASEAN economic cooperation. 

Following his doctoral completion, Dr. Lee's research on non-traditional diplomacy has expanded into Taiwan’s quasi-state diplomacy in Southeast Asia. Such quest has led him spending at great length in comprehending the concept of soft power, a concept that finds its relevance to Taiwan, which has no official diplomatic with Southeast Asia but is heavily connected to the region and has to rely on soft power in its engagements with these Southeast Asian nations. Taking Malaysia as the first case study of Taiwan's soft power in the region, Dr. Lee is developing the third intervening variable correlating both Taiwanese soft power resources and outcomes, in his course of providing a dynamical explanation for such phenomenon. For the coming years, his research focus and publications will be on the different areas featuring Taiwan-Malaysia and Taiwan-Southeast Asia cooperation such as digital social innovation (DSI) for climate change, industry-based education/training programmes, smart cities, tourism, digital democracy, agriculture, public health and medicine, ornamental aquaculture and aquascape. 

To date, Dr. Lee was the recipient of several scholarships and fellowships in Malaysia and overseas: University of Malaya’s Graduate Fellowship (2010-2011); Monash University’s Merit Scholarship (2016-2019); Chinese Government Scholarship (2018-2019); and Taiwan Fellowship (2020). Prior to his appointment as Senior Lecturer at the Institute of China Studies (ICS), he was the Visiting Scholar at Guangxi University for Nationalities (GXUN) (2018-2019), Taiwan Fellow at National Chengchi University (NCCU) (2020) and Associate Fellow at ICS UM (2016-2019).

He welcomes any potential PhD candidate who would like to work on Taiwan-Southeast Asia relations, Taiwan's soft power in Southeast Asia, Taiwan-Malaysia DSI cooperation for climate change and public governance and Taiwan's semiconductor politics within the US-China rivalry. He is also willing to discuss with potential doctoral candidates on proposals related to the Chinese sub-state (provincial) diplomacy toward ASEAN, China's soft power in ASEAN, Southeast Asian sub-state diplomacy, comparative cases of sub-state diplomacy around the world and conceptual innovations of sub-state diplomacy as well as soft power. 

 

 

AREAS OF EXPERTISE


  • INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
    Taiwan and Southeast Asia, China-ASEAN relations, non-traditional diplomacy, soft power, semiconductor's geopolitics

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION


  • PH.D, (Arts)
    Monash University, (Malaysia Campus)
  • M.A, (Arts)
    Universiti Malaya (UM)
  • B.A, (Arts)
    University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES


  • Curriculum Review
    13 Jul 2020 - 12 Jul 2025 (Department)
  • Committee Members
    31 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2023 (Department)
  • Committee Members
    31 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2023 (Department)
  • Committee Members
    31 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2023 (University Malaya)
  • Committee Members
    12 Jan 2022 - 31 Dec 2022 (Department)
  • Committee Members
    12 Jan 2022 - 31 Dec 2022 (Department)
  • Ketua Tingkat (Institut Pengajian China, ICS) - Pasukan Tindakan Kecemasan (ERT)
    15 Dec 2021 - 31 Dec 2022 (University Malaya)
  • Committee Members
    12 Jan 2022 - 31 Dec 2022 (Department)

MEMBERSHIPS


  • EDITORIAL BOARD, EDITORIAL BOARD
    2022 to present (International)
  • EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBER (2022-2027), EDITORIAL BOARD
    2022 to present (International)
  • 1-YEAR ORDINARY MEMBERSHIP, MEMBER
    2022 to 2023 (International)

AWARD AND STEWARDSHIP


  • Non-Resident Fellow
    Research Centre for Asian Studies (RCAS), 2022 (International)

PUBLICATIONS


Article in Journal
  1. Lee, Chee Leong. (2021). Malaysian Politics after Sheraton Move 2020: Inter-Coalition and Intra-Coalition Political Dynamics. Asia-Pacific Research Forum, 69, 49-96. https://www.rchss.sinica.edu.tw/TBMC/page2/publish_pub.php?Pub_Sn=234.
Scopus
  1. Lee K.C.L. (2023). Conceptualising Taiwan s Soft Power Projection in its New Southbound Policy , Asian Affairs. . doi:10.1080/03068374.2023.2208938
  2. Lee K.C.L. (2023). Introduction: Taiwan's international ostracization and soft power, Taiwan and Southeast Asia: Soft Power and Hard Truths Facing China's Ascendancy. , 1-11. doi:10.4324/9781003320463-1
  3. Lee K.C.L. (2023). Reconfiguring Taiwan's soft power in Malaysia: "Blue Ocean" collaborations under the New Southbound Policy (NSP), Taiwan and Southeast Asia: Soft Power and Hard Truths Facing China's Ascendancy. , 97-110. doi:10.4324/9781003320463-8
  4. Lee K.C.L., Chan Y.-K. (2023). Taiwan and Southeast Asia: Soft power and hard truths facing China's ascendancy, Taiwan and Southeast Asia: Soft Power and Hard Truths Facing China's Ascendancy. , 1-268. doi:10.4324/9781003320463
  5. Lee K.C.L., Jamil N.S. (2023). Introduction: Southeast Asia and Taiwan s New Southbound Policy (NSP), International Journal of China Studies. 14(2), 1-5
  6. Lee K.C.L., Jamil N.S., Kamaruddin N. (2023). Looking South: Comparing the Regional Policies of Taiwan and South Korea, Asian Affairs. 54(2), 227-230. doi:10.1080/03068374.2023.2216587
Books
  1. Lee, Karl Chee Leong & Ying-kit Chan. (Eds.) (2023). Taiwan and Southeast Asia: Soft Power and Hard Truths Facing China's Ascendancy. Oxon and New York: Routledge.
Chapter in Books
  1. Lee, Karl Chee Leong. (2003). Reconfiguring Taiwan s Soft Power in Malaysia: "Blue Ocean" Collaborations under the New Southbound Policy (NSP). In Karl Chee Leong Lee and Ying-kit Chan (Eds.) Taiwan and Southeast Asia: Soft Power and Hard Truths Facing China's Ascendancy (pp. 97-110). Oxon and New York: Routledge.
  2. Lee, Karl Chee Leong. (2023). Introduction: Taiwan's International Ostracization and Soft Power. In Karl Chee Leong and Ying-kit Chan (Eds.) Taiwan and Southeast Asia: Soft Power and Hard Truths Facing China's Ascendancy (pp. 1-11). Oxon and New York: Routledge.
  3. Lee, Karl Chee Leong. (2023). Malaysia's Political Contestations in the COVID-19 Era and Their Economic Impacts: An Assessment. In Alan Hao Yang and Masahiro Matsumura (Eds.). Navigating the New Political Economy in Southeast Asia: Perspectives from Japan, Taiwan and the Region (pp. 211-240). Singapore: World Scientific Publishing.
  4. Md. Akhir, Md. Nasrudin and Lee, Chee Leong. (2023). Mazhong guanxi de lishi yu qianzhan (The History and Prospects of Malaysia-China Relations). In Zhen Wang and Jian Wang (Eds.) "Yidai yilu" guobie yanjiu baogao: Malaixiya juan (The Belt and Road Country Studies (Malaysia)) (pp. 475-498). Beijing: China Social Sciences Press.
  5. Lee, Chee Leong & Md. Akhir, Md. Nasrudin. (2021). Malaysia-China Relations During the Movement Control Order (MCO) Period and Beyond: Assessment from the Mutual Trust Variable. In Nian Peng (Ed.). The Reshaping of China-Southeast Asia Relations in Light of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Singapore: Springer, 2021.
Other Publications
  1. Lee, Chee Leong. (2023). Report on China's 20th Party Congress 2022 and the Taiwan Strait Issue. Global Wonks Asia. - Technical Report
  2. Lee, Chee Leong. (2023, June 12). Dongnanya ying wei xifang "qu fengxian hua"zuo hao zhunbei (Southeast Asia Should Prepare for the 'De-risking' by the West). Lianhe zaobao. https://www.zaobao.com.sg/forum/views/story20230612-1403343. - Mass Media(Newspaper,Radio,Tv,Popular Magazine)
  3. Hon Kuan, Ng. (2022, July 12). (Scholars Call for Prudence on the US-led Cooperation Framework that Competes with China's). Lianhe Zaobao. https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/world/story20220712-1291886. - Mass Media(Newspaper,Radio,Tv,Popular Magazine)
  4. Hon Kuan, Ng. (2022, May 30). IPEF (Exclusions of Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar from IPEF Will Not Affect ASEAN's Unity) . Lianhe Zaobao. https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/sea/story20220530-1277708. - Mass Media(Newspaper,Radio,Tv,Popular Magazine)
  5. Lee, C..L. and Lin, Kai Min. (2022, October 21). (Malaysia Should Vigorously Attract Taiwanese Businesses to Upgrade Its Industries). Lianhe Zaobao (Singapore). https://www.zaobao.com.sg/forum/views/story20221021-1324937. - Mass Media(Newspaper,Radio,Tv,Popular Magazine)
  6. Lee, Chee Leong & Lin, Kai Min (2022, December 13). Opening the Taiwanese Window for Malaysia s Industrial Upgrading. The Edge Malaysia. https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/my-say-opening-taiwanese-window-malaysias-industrial-upgrading. - Mass Media(Newspaper,Radio,Tv,Popular Magazine)
  7. Lee, Chee Leong & Lin, Kai Min (2022, November 14). Taiwan Can Be Key Driver of Malaysia s Industrial Upgrading. Think China. https://www.thinkchina.sg/taiwan-can-be-key-driver-malaysias-industrial-upgrading. - Mass Media(Newspaper,Radio,Tv,Popular Magazine)
  8. Lee, Chee Leong (2022). "Taiwan-Malaysia Relations: Retrospect and Prospect." In Michael Hsin-Huang Hsiao, Alan Hao Yang and Sana Hashmi (Eds.) Strengthening Taiwan-Southeast Asia Relations: Trends and Prospects (pp. 32-38). Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation (TAEF). - Case Study
  9. Lee, Chee Leong, Kamaruddin, Nurliana & Lin, Kai Min. ( 2022, Oktober 12). 'Buka Jendela' Taiwan Naik Taraf Industri Kita. Utusan Malaysia. - Mass Media(Newspaper,Radio,Tv,Popular Magazine)
  10. Mulyanto, Randy. (2022, January 18). Taiwan Makes New Push to Drum Up Southeast Asia Investment. Nikkei Asia. https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Taiwan-makes-new-push-to-drum-up-Southeast-Asia-investment. - Mass Media(Newspaper,Radio,Tv,Popular Magazine)

RESEARCH INTEREST


  • Taiwan's 'quasi-state' diplomacy in Southeast Asia (Taiwan, quasi-state diplomacy, Southeast Asia)
  • Malaysia-Taiwan relations (Taiwan, Malaysia, economy, socio-culture)
  • Theorisation of Taiwan's soft power through comparative cases in Southeast Asia (Theorisation, Taiwan, soft power, Southeast Asia)
  • Taiwan-Southeast Asia digital social innovation (DSI) cooperation for climate disasters, environmental protection & local governance (Taiwan, Southeast Asia, DSI, climate disasters, environmental protection, local governance)
  • Taiwan's semiconductor supply chain in Asia and the US-China rivalry (Taiwan, semiconductor, supply chain, Asia, US-China rivalry)
  • China's sub-state (provincial and city) diplomacy in Southeast Asia (China, sub-state diplomacy, Southeast Asia)
  • Conceptualisation of China's soft power in Southeast Asia (China, soft power, Southeast Asia)
  • Comparative multi-layered diplomacy and paradiplomacy in Asia and Europe (Multi-layered diplomacy, paradiplomacy)
  • Theory-building for multi-layered diplomacy and paradiplomacy concepts (Theory-building, multi-layered diplomacy, paradiplomacy)

RESEARCH PROJECT


National
  1. 2022 - 2023, University Grant
    Mapping Taiwan's Co-optive Power In Malaysia: Traces Of Quasi-state Diplomacy ( Principal Investigator(PI))
Private
  1. 2022 - 2024, International Funding
    Taiwan's Soft Power In Malaysia : Variations Of Quasi-state Diplomacy Under The New Southbound Policy ( Principal Investigator(PI))
International
  1. 2022 - 2025, National Social Sciences Fund
    Studies on the Pathways and Countermeasures of China's Reconstruction of the China-ASEAN Value Chain (Zhongguo tuidong zhongguo-dongmeng jiazhi lian chong gou de lujing yu duice yanjiu), Guangxi University of Finance & Economics ( Co-Researcher)
  2. 2023 - 2023, Taiwan's New Southbound Hakka International Exchange Project 2023
    Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages-Universiti Malaya Survey Research and Exhibition Collaboration (Wenzao yu malaiya daxue diaocha yanjiu ce zhan hezuo), Hakka Affairs Council Taiwan ( Co-Researcher)

PAPER PRESENTED


INVITED SPEAKER
  1. Introduction and Discussion of Edited Book 'Taiwan and Southeast Asia: Soft Power and Hard Truths Facing China's Ascendancy', (Book Talk) Taiwan and Southeast Asia: Soft Power and Hard Truths Facing China's Ascendancy, Institute of East Asian Studies, Thammasat University (International) (24 Nov 2023 - 24 Nov 2023)
  2. Malaysia-Taiwan Relations: Retrospect and Prospect, Southeast Asia Master Lecture Series, Department of Southeast Asian Studies (International) (24 Oct 2023 - 24 Oct 2023)
  3. Malaysia's Non-Traditional Security and Economic Transformation, Southeast Asia Master Lecture Series, Department of Southeast Asian Studies (International) (23 Oct 2023 - 23 Oct 2023)
  4. Malaysia s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Progress, Challenges & Opportunities, 6th Network of ASEAN-China Academic Institutes (NACAI) International Symposium, ASEAN Study Center, Universitas Indonesia (International) (02 Nov 2022 - 02 Nov 2022)
  5. Malaysia-Taiwan Relations: An Appraisal, Collaborative Webinar 'An Appraisal of Taiwan-Southeast Asia Ties', Jindal School of International Affairs Nehginpao Kipgen Center for Southeast Asian Studies & Taiwan Asia Exchange Foundation (TAEF)  (International) (02 Mar 2022 - 02 Mar 2022)
ORAL PRESENTER
  1. Roundtable Presentation on Taiwan's Hardening Soft Power, 2023 Wenzao Ursuline International Conference on Southeast Asian Studies, Committee of 2023 Wenzao International Conference on Southeast Asian Studies (ICSEAS) (International) (20 Oct 2023 - 20 Oct 2023)
  2. Achieving Malaysia s SDGs Through Bilateral Cooperation with China, The First China-ASEAN Forum for Regional Cooperation and Development, Guangxi University (International) (14 Oct 2023 - 14 Oct 2023)
  3. Tapping Malaysia as an International Partner in Halal Food Cooperation: Reputation, Entry Points and Limitations, The 9th China-South and Southeast Asian Think-Tank Forum, Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences (International) (15 Aug 2023 - 18 Aug 2023)
  4. Building Resilience Through Digital Social Innovation in Malaysia? Lessons from Taiwan and the Prospect for Cooperation, International Conference on Regional Cooperation for Sustainable Economic Development, Belt and Road Strategic Research Centre (BRSRC), Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (International) (21 Apr 2022 - 21 Apr 2022)

ACADEMIC/PROF. SERVICES


Evaluation
  1. (2023) Proposal Defence by Azlie Ismail, Phd Candidate in Department of East Asian Studies, University, (Reviewer)
  2. (2023) Proposal Defence by Hanis Shaheera Ahmad Hisham, Phd Candidate in Department of International & Strategic Studies, University, (Reviewer)
  3. (2023) Proposal Defence by Ting Deng, Phd Candidate in Jabatan Pengajian Sains & Teknologi, Fakulti Sains, University, (Reviewer)
  4. (2023) Proposal Defence by Tan Chiew Ling, Master Candidate (The Role & Influence of The Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Fostering Malaysia-China Trade & Economic Relations), University, (Reviewer)
  5. (2022) Reviewer for Mjcs, National, (Reviewer)
  6. (2022) Reviewer for Ijcs, International, (Reviewer)
  7. (2022) Evaluator Panel for Mianqing Xie, Phd Candidate for Department of International & Strategic Studies, UM, University, (Reviewer)
  8. (2022) Panel Assessor for Proposal Defence in Asia-Europe Institute (Phd Candidate: Liu Lu), University, (Reviewer)
  9. (2022) Panel Assessor for Candidature Defence in Asia-Europe Institute (Phd Candidate: Angaindrankumar Gnanasagaran), University, (Internal Examiner)
  10. (2022) Panel Assessor for Proposal Defence in Department of East Asian Studies (Phd Candidate: Wang Wenqi), University, (Reviewer)
Contribution to external organisation
  1. (2024) Expert Advisory Member (On Cross-Strait Ties), International, (Technical Advisor)
  2. (2023) Discussant for Panel B1: Geopolitics in Southeast Asia (International Conference On Southeast Asian Studies (Icseas))), International, (Resource Person)
  3. (2023) Visiting Scholar - Give 2 Special Lectures to Graduate Students & Present Paper in 2003 International Conference On Southeast Asian Studies (Icseas), International, (Adjunct/Visiting Professors)
Media appearance
  1. (2023) Jingji Xue Jia: Dailu Zhaiwu Shu Xuanze Xing Piancha, Dama Di Zi Hao, Fei Lin Guo Kebi (Economists: Bri's Debt Trap is Based On Selective Bias, Malaysia's Fundamentals Are Not The Same as Other Countries), National, (Interview)
  2. (2023) Bu Shuai Oumei Jinggao Huawei Zi An Yinyou, Anhua Zhengzhi Haodu Pin Jingji (Ignoring European and American Warnings of Huawei’S Security Concerns, Anwar’S Political Bets Are On The Economy), International, (Interview)
  3. (2023) Dama Ni Jin Xitu Chukou, Xuezhe: Diyuan Zhengzhi Xia Guji Guoji Liyi (Scholars See Malaysia's Rare Earth Exports Ban in Line With The Country's National Interest), International, (Interview)
  4. (2023) Rimei: Zongtong Houxuan Ren Zhuoli Dongnanya, Xinlai Zhi You Hui Xiangji Chengli (Japanese Media: Taiwanese Presidential Candidates Focus On Southeast Asia, Trust Lai Friendship Groups Established One After Another), International, (Interview)
  5. (2023) Pay No Mind to Huawei 5g Warnings , Us, Eu Pressure: Analysts, National, (Interview)
  6. (2023) What China Pivot? Anwar's 'Flair' in Beijing Also Useful With West: Analysts, National, (Interview)

SUPERVISION


Postgraduate Student
  1. (2023) Re-examining stateless nation within nation state and the international system: take Hong Kong as an example, XIE MIANQING
  2. (2023) THE COMPETITION OF CHINESE SUBNATIONAL GOVERNMENTS IN CHINA- SOUTHEAST ASIA COOPERATION -A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF YUNNAN AND GUANGXI PROVINCES, LI HONGYING
  3. (2023) Research on the Impact of the “Belt and Road” Initiative on the Development of Ukraine, HAIPENG ZHAO
  4. (2023) US-CHINA COMPETITION, CHINA-MALAYSIA RELATIONS, AND ASEAN CENTRALITY, XIAOFENG WANG
Under Graduate Students
  1. (2023) AIG3038 Research Seminar On East Asia
  2. (2023) Practices, Muhammad Zulkarnain bin Zulkifli
  3. (2022) Kebolehpasaran Graduan Universiti Malaysia di China: Pandangan Alumni China dari Universiti Malaysia
  4. (2022) Analisis Budaya Korporat China Construction Bank (CCB) Malaysia Menggunakan Teori Deal dan Kennedy (1982)
  5. (2022) Practices, Megat Ammar Hazman Bin Abdullah HIsham

TEACHING


Master
  1. (2022) AOD7004 - Southeast Asian Regionalism
Bachelor
  1. (2023) AIF3020 - Asean and Regionalism
  2. (2023) AIF1013 - Asean in a Globalised World
  3. (2023) AIF3014 - Lecture Series On Asean
  4. (2023) AIG2012 - Social Transformation in China
  5. (2022) AIG1011 - East Asia Through Digital Lenses
  6. (2022) AIF3014 - Lecture Series On Asean
  7. (2022) AIG2012 - Social Transformation in China
  8. (2021) AIF1013 - Asean in a Globalised World
  9. (2021) AIF1013 - Asean in a Globalised World, ASEAN Secretariat 

COURSE ATTENDED


Internal / External Course
INTERNAL COURSE- ORGANIZED BY PTJ
  1. EMERALD TEACHING AND LEARNING 2022, Bk7, Mercu Alam Bina Fakulti Alam Bina UM (05 Dec 2022 - 09 Dec 2022)