Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
Last updated: 5 October 2026
The Institute for China Studies (“ICS”, “we”, “us” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information entrusted to us.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, store and protect personal information when you visit our website, register for an ICS program, purchase our publications or services, subscribe to communications, participate in an event, interact with our Digital Campus, or otherwise engage with the Institute for China Studies.
- Who We Are
The Institute for China Studies is an international institute dedicated to professional education, research and insights on China.
For the purposes of applicable data protection legislation, ICS is the data controller responsible for personal information collected through our website and services, except where we process information solely on behalf of an organizational client under a separate agreement.
Institute for China Studies Limited
Hongqiao World Center, Building E3, Room 903, Qingpu District, Shanghai
Email: info@china-studies.org
Where required by applicable data protection law, additional information about our legal entity and data protection arrangements will be provided.
- Scope of This Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy applies to personal information collected through:
- the ICS website;
- program registration and enrollment;
- Certificate Courses, Masterclasses and Diploma Programs;
- Executive Education;
- Executive Coaching;
- in-company and customized training;
- the Digital Campus and other learning platforms;
- event and webinar registration;
- newsletters and other communications;
- consultations and enquiries;
- publications and eBooks;
- China Insights;
- applications to participate in ICS activities;
- faculty and expert contributor interactions; and
- other services or interactions provided by ICS.
This Privacy Policy does not apply to websites, applications or services operated by third parties. Those services are governed by their own privacy policies.
- Information We Collect
Depending on how you interact with ICS, we may collect different categories of personal information.
3.1 Information you provide directly
This may include:
- name;
- title and professional position;
- company or organization;
- business address;
- email address;
- telephone number;
- country of residence or work;
- billing and invoicing information;
- registration and enrollment information;
- educational or professional information relevant to a program;
- information provided when requesting a consultation;
- information submitted through contact forms;
- event registration information;
- correspondence with ICS;
- course assignments and assessments;
- feedback, evaluations and testimonials; and
- other information you voluntarily provide.
We only request information that is reasonably necessary for the relevant purpose.
3.2 Account and learning information
When you register for an ICS program, we may collect information associated with your student or participant account, including:
- login details;
- program enrollment;
- course progress;
- assignment submissions;
- assessment results;
- completion status;
- certificates issued;
- communications with faculty or course administrators; and
- participation in learning activities.
3.3 Payment information
When you purchase a program or service, payment information may be processed by our payment service provider.
Depending on the payment method, ICS may receive information such as:
- transaction reference;
- payment status;
- billing information;
- payment date;
- amount paid; and
- limited payment-related information.
Where payments are processed by a third-party payment provider, ICS generally does not receive or store complete payment card details.
3.4 Information collected automatically
When you use our website or Digital Campus, certain technical information may be collected automatically, including:
- IP address;
- browser type;
- device type;
- operating system;
- language settings;
- pages visited;
- referring website;
- date and time of access;
- website interactions; and
- technical information relating to website performance and security.
Some of this information may be collected through cookies or similar technologies.
Please see our separate Cookie Policy for more information.
- How We Use Personal Information
ICS may use personal information for the following purposes:
Providing our services
We use personal information to:
- process registrations and enrollments;
- provide access to programs and the Digital Campus;
- administer courses and assessments;
- issue Certificates of Completion;
- provide faculty and academic support;
- deliver executive coaching;
- organize events and training;
- provide publications and other services; and
- communicate with participants regarding their programs.
Managing our relationship with you
We may use personal information to:
- respond to enquiries;
- provide customer support;
- manage accounts;
- process payments;
- issue invoices and receipts;
- maintain records;
- administer contractual relationships; and
- communicate important service information.
Improving our programs
We may use information to:
- evaluate courses and programs;
- understand participant needs;
- improve educational content;
- improve the Digital Campus;
- analyze program participation;
- develop new programs; and
- improve our services.
Where possible, information used for analytical or statistical purposes will be aggregated or otherwise minimized.
Communications and marketing
Where permitted by applicable law, we may use your contact information to send:
- newsletters;
- information about ICS programs;
- event invitations;
- publications;
- China Insights updates;
- research announcements; and
- other relevant institutional communications.
Where required, we will obtain your consent before sending marketing communications.
You can unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time.
- Legal Bases for Processing
Where the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or similar legislation applies, ICS processes personal information on one or more of the following legal bases:
Contract
Processing may be necessary to:
- register you for a program;
- provide educational services;
- manage your account;
- process payments;
- issue certificates; or
- perform another agreement with you.
Legal obligation
We may process personal information where necessary to comply with legal obligations, including accounting, taxation, regulatory or record-keeping requirements.
Legitimate interests
We may process information where necessary for legitimate interests, such as:
- administering and improving our services;
- maintaining website security;
- preventing fraud or misuse;
- managing institutional relationships;
- communicating with existing customers;
- conducting appropriate business administration; or
- protecting ICS’s legal rights.
We will consider your rights and interests when relying on this legal basis.
Consent
Where required by law, we will rely on your consent for activities such as certain marketing communications, cookies or other optional processing.
You may withdraw consent at any time. Withdrawal does not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out before consent was withdrawn.
- Marketing Communications
If you subscribe to an ICS newsletter or other marketing communication, we may use your name and contact details to send relevant information.
You can unsubscribe at any time by:
- using the unsubscribe link in the communication; or
- contacting info@china-studies.org.
Unsubscribing from marketing communications does not necessarily stop essential administrative or transactional communications relating to a program or service you have purchased.
- Cookies and Similar Technologies
ICS uses cookies and similar technologies to operate, secure and improve our website and services.
Depending on their purpose, cookies may be used for:
- essential website functionality;
- security;
- preferences;
- analytics;
- website performance; and
- other permitted purposes.
Where required by law, non-essential cookies will only be used after obtaining appropriate consent.
Please see our separate Cookie Policy for further information.
- Sharing Personal Information
ICS does not sell personal information to third parties.
We may share personal information where necessary with trusted service providers and other parties involved in delivering our services.
These may include:
- payment service providers;
- website and hosting providers;
- Digital Campus or learning-platform providers;
- email and communication providers;
- IT and cybersecurity providers;
- event and webinar platforms;
- accounting and administrative service providers;
- professional advisers;
- instructors, faculty members or expert contributors where necessary to provide a program; and
- government authorities or other parties where required by law.
We require service providers that process personal information on our behalf to handle that information in accordance with applicable data protection requirements.
- Faculty, Professors and Expert Contributors
Where necessary for the delivery of an educational program, relevant participant information may be shared with the faculty member, professor or expert responsible for that program.
For example, this may include:
- participant name;
- professional background;
- assignment submissions;
- questions or communications; and
- information relevant to providing academic support.
Faculty members and expert contributors are expected to respect the confidentiality and appropriate use of participant information.
- Organizational and In-Company Programs
Where ICS provides training, executive education, coaching or other services to an organization, the organization may provide certain participant information to ICS.
This information may include:
- participant name;
- job title;
- organization;
- contact information;
- attendance;
- program participation; and
- assessment or completion information.
Where appropriate, ICS will agree with the organization how participant information will be used and what information may be reported to the organization.
ICS will not disclose individual assessment results or other personal information to an organization unless this is permitted by applicable law and the relevant contractual arrangements.
- International Data Transfers
ICS may use service providers located in countries other than the country in which you reside.
As a result, personal information may be transferred to or processed in other jurisdictions.
Where applicable data protection legislation restricts international transfers, ICS will use appropriate safeguards, which may include:
- adequacy decisions;
- standard contractual clauses;
- other legally recognized transfer mechanisms; or
- applicable derogations permitted by law.
Information about relevant safeguards may be requested by contacting info@china-studies.org.
- Data Security
ICS takes reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect personal information against:
- unauthorized access;
- accidental loss;
- destruction;
- alteration;
- disclosure; and
- other unauthorized processing.
Security measures may include access controls, authentication procedures, secure transmission, restricted access and appropriate technical safeguards.
However, no internet transmission or electronic storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
- Data Retention
ICS retains personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.
Retention periods may depend on the type of information and the purpose for which it is processed.
For example:
- student and enrollment records may be retained for administration and verification purposes;
- financial and transaction records may be retained to comply with accounting and tax requirements;
- certificates and completion records may be retained to verify qualifications;
- correspondence may be retained for an appropriate period to manage the relationship and protect legal rights; and
- marketing information may be retained until you unsubscribe or where another lawful basis for retention exists.
When personal information is no longer required, it will be deleted, anonymized or otherwise securely disposed of where appropriate.
- Your Data Protection Rights
Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have rights including:
Right of access
You may request information about the personal information we hold about you.
Right to correction
You may request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
Right to deletion
In certain circumstances, you may request that we delete your personal information.
Right to restriction
You may request that we restrict processing in certain circumstances.
Right to object
You may object to certain types of processing, including processing based on legitimate interests or certain direct marketing activities.
Right to data portability
Where applicable, you may request your personal information in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format.
Right to withdraw consent
Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time.
The exercise of these rights may be subject to legal limitations or exceptions.
- How to Exercise Your Rights
To exercise your rights or ask questions about the processing of your personal information, contact:
Institute for China Studies
Email: info@china-studies.org
Please provide sufficient information to allow us to identify you and understand your request.
We may need to verify your identity before responding.
We will respond within the timeframe required by applicable law.
- Complaints
If you believe that ICS has processed your personal information unlawfully or has not adequately addressed your privacy concerns, you may contact us at:
info@china-studies.org
Where applicable, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with the data protection authority in the country where you live, work or believe that a violation has occurred.
For individuals in the EU/EEA, this may be the relevant national supervisory authority.
- Children’s Privacy
ICS’s programs and services are primarily intended for adults and professional learners.
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children where doing so is prohibited by applicable law.
If you believe that a child has provided personal information to ICS without appropriate authorization, please contact us at info@china-studies.org.
- Third-Party Services and Links
The ICS website may contain links to third-party websites, platforms or services.
ICS is not responsible for the privacy practices, security or content of third-party websites.
We recommend reviewing the privacy policy of any third-party service before providing personal information.
This includes third-party services used for purposes such as:
- payment processing;
- social media;
- event registration;
- video or multimedia content;
- analytics;
- email communications; and
- online learning.
- Social Media
ICS may maintain profiles or pages on third-party social media platforms.
When you interact with ICS through these platforms, the relevant platform may collect and process information about you in accordance with its own privacy policy.
ICS may receive information made available to us through those platforms, subject to the applicable platform settings and rules.
- Testimonials, Photographs and Public Information
ICS may publish testimonials, photographs, professional profiles or other information relating to participants, faculty members, expert contributors, partners or speakers where appropriate.
We will seek appropriate permission or rely on another lawful basis where required by applicable law.
You may contact ICS if you wish to enquire about the use of your personal information in such materials.
- Research and Publications
ICS conducts research and publishes educational and professional materials.
Where research involves personal information, ICS will take appropriate measures to ensure that information is processed lawfully and proportionately.
Where possible, research results will be presented in aggregated, anonymized or pseudonymized form.
Any research project involving personal or sensitive information will be subject to additional safeguards where required.
- Changes to This Privacy Policy
ICS may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect:
- changes in legislation;
- changes to our services;
- changes to our technology;
- changes to our data-processing practices; or
- other developments affecting privacy and data protection.
The latest version will be published on this page together with the applicable “Last updated” date.
Where required by law, we will provide additional notice of material changes.
- Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how ICS processes personal information, please contact:
Institute for China Studies
Email: info@china-studies.org
Website: china-studies.org