The Center for Chinese and Southeast Asian Studies (CCSAS) is an independent research centre focused on three core pillars: Research, Dialogue, and Policy. Our mission is to deepen Sino-Georgian relations and analyze regional development models.
Beka Natsvlishvili is a political scientist and researcher specializing in international political economy and socialist development models. He holds an MA in Political Science from the University of Münster (Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster), Germany. His academic and professional background is deeply rooted in the study of post-socialist transformations and the economic development trajectories of the Global South.
In his role as the Head of the Center for Chinese & South East Asian Studies, Beka oversees research projects focused on Asian economic influence, industrial policy, and regional geopolitical dynamics. Beyond his research expertise, he has significant legislative experience, having served as a Member of the Parliament of Georgia (2016–2020), where he spearheaded key social and economic reforms, pension system adjustments, and labor market regulations. His current research focuses on the economic diplomacy of developing nations, welfare state models, and the geopolitical implications of China’s Belt and Road Initiative in the Caucasus. Alongside his leadership at the center, he continues to be actively involved in academia, lecturing on political economy and social theory at the Georgian American University (GAU).
Badri Nachkebia is a Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor, and an Honored Journalist of Georgia, with extensive experience spanning academia, media, and public service. He graduated from the Faculty of Philosophy at Moscow State University in 1984 and completed his postgraduate studies at Tbilisi State University in 1987, later furthering his expertise at the School of Management. His professional tenure includes serving as a lead specialist in the Parliament of Georgia (1996-1998), followed by a distinguished career in international media as the Director of the “Mir” Interstate TV and Radio Company’s Georgian branch (1998-2016), while simultaneously serving as a contributor for CNN.
Since 2016, Professor Nachkebia has collaborated with Xinjiang University as an expert consultant, and since 2023, he has been the author and host of the program “Chinese Panorama.” He holds academic positions as a Professor at the Georgian Technical University, an Assistant Professor at Grigol Robakidze University, and a researcher at the Peace Education Center of Sokhumi State University. A member of the Academy of Criminology of Georgia, Badri Nachkebia has authored numerous scientific publications and television projects, focusing on historical research, international relations, and social-political analysis.
Alexander Tsagarelli is a sociologist and researcher who holds an MA in Sociology and Demography from the University of Barcelona. He also earned an MA in Sociology from Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, where he currently serves as a lecturer. His research focus includes social stratification, labor relations, sociology of education, and demographic processes. Alexander possesses extensive expertise in both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
Tornike Chivadze is a sociologist and researcher specializing in social change, stratification & post-Soviet transformations, . He holds a Master’s degree from Corvinus University of Budapest and is currently a PhD candidate at Tbilisi State University. Tornike serves as a lecturer at various higher education institutions and is actively involved in numerous research projects. His research interests encompass post-Soviet transformation processes, China’s economic reforms, the welfare state, and issues of socio-economic inequality.