December 20th, 2007: John Kirton, Associate Professor of Political Science, and Research Associate of the Centre for International Studies at the University of Toronto, visited the CAS and presented a report entitled: "The G8 and China". Professor Pan Rui of the CAS managed the visit, and presided over Prof. Kirton's report.

The first issue raised by Prof. Kirton's report was whether China should join the G8. He pointed out that the G8's leaders are paying special attention to matters like development and energy reources in China's region, and that the G8 is also looking to expand its membership. Due to China's increasing important role, the G8 is hoping for further cooperation with China. Prof. Kirton then looked back at the birth and changing historical role of the G8, emphasising its growth against the background of globalization. He considered the various functions of the G8, including the addressing of issues like economy, security, energy, and environmental change, as well as the spreading of freedom and democracy. Prof. Kirton then again emphasised the need for closer relations between the G8 and China, considering them in the context of China's opening up and subsequent institutional reform. He analyzed the way that American leadership of the G8 has faced the strenthening economies of China and India, and stressed that the G8 should seek to expand its membership, perhaps adopting a G8+12 or G8+22 framework. Finally, he summarised the current situation of each G8 member state.

After the talk, Prof. Kirton engaged in discussion with the attending teachers and students, on matters including the current state of Russian democracy, the G8 mechanism, the international system, and the relationship between the G8 and the United Nations.