Centre of Southern African Studies (COSAS)

　　The former body of the Centre of Southern African Studies was the Division of Southern African Studies founded in 1978 when IWAAS was resumed. In 1982, the Division of Southern African Studies was incorporated in the Division of African Studies. In 1988, the Division of African Studies divided into 3 divisions: the Division of African Politics Studies, the Division of African Economics Studies and the Division of Region Studies. The Division of Region Studies focused its research mainly on politics, economics and international relations of Southern African region and the countries in the region. In 1995, the Division of Region Studies changed its name to the Centre of Southern African Studies.

　　The Centre of Southern African Studies is an academic research organ under the auspices of the Institute of West-Asian and African Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The Centre of Southern African Studies, headed by Professor Yang Lihua who was also the Deputy Director of IWAAS and Associate Professor Chen Yulai, focuses its research on the political and economic development of post-apartheid South Africa and the regional integration of SADC. COSAS has its own news clippings and data collections. Country studies of the 15 SADC Member States, particularly on resources and market potential in the region, are well received by the academic and business circle.

　　The aims of the Centre are to:

　　1, Advanced research on social, economic and political developments as well as international relations concerning South Africa and the Southern African region, through exchanges and cooperation between Chinese Scholars in this field;

　　2, Promote exchanges and cooperative research with scholars and academic organizations from South Africa and other Southern African countries;

　　3, So as to promote mutual understanding and cooperation between China and that part of the world.