This conference was held on 6–7 June 2015. It was jointly organised by the Pearl River Delta Social Research Centre, Department of Sociology, Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), the Department of Sociology, Sun Yat-Sen University and the Universities Service Centre for China Studies (USC), CUHK.

The conference aimed to provide a platform for Hong Kong, mainland and international scholars to discuss and share theories regarding the recent changes in the Pearl River Delta area and broader China, to exchange knowledge and interdisciplinary research on China studies, and to explore opportunities for academic collaboration between Hong Kong and mainland researchers and institutions.

Seventeen scholars from various institutions were invited to the conference (two from overseas, six from mainland China and nine from Hong Kong). It attracted over a hundred participants and 40 papers were presented.