SOAS, University of London (The School of Oriental and African Studies)

Overview

Name:

Mr Jeremy Taylor

Email address:

j_taylor@soas.ac.uk

Thesis title:

Sino-Japanese energy engagement in Sudan and South Sudan

Internal Supervisors

• Phil Clark
• Yuka Kobayashi

PhD Research

The emergence of South Sudan as the world’s newest country in July 2011 radically altered the political and logistical dynamics of oil exploitation and access in the region: approximately 75 per cent of Sudan’s oil reserves are believed to lie within the territory of South Sudan and effectively changed ownership with the secession. As a result, China’s oil extensive investments in Sudan are threatened by on-going hostility, mistrust and disagreement between South Sudan and their former enemies in Khartoum.

Against this backdrop my research will explore Sino-Japanese energy interaction in South Sudan contextualised against existing engagement through aid, trade and investment. This research project will explore an under-researched dimension of Sino-Japanese relations and look to answer the question: has South Sudan’s independence created a new arena for Sino-Japanese energy competition.

PhD Conferences

‘Sino-Japanese relations and the question of energy competition’ presented at the Harvard East Asia Society Graduate conference 22 - 24 February 2013

PhD Affiliations

• Commonwealth Scholarship Commission – Scholarship awardee
• Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) – Postgraduate Study Tour awardee