Podcasts about merics

After several quieter years, 2025 saw a noticeable pickup in Chinese investment activity in the EU and UK, reaching levels last seen in 2018. To take a look at the trends and developments in Chinese investments in Europe, Johannes Heller-John is joined by Gregor Williams, Associate Director with Rhodium Group's China Corporate Advisory Team, and Andreas Mischer, Analyst in the Economy and Industry team at MERICS. Together with Agatha Katz and Armand Meyer from Rhodium Group they are the authors of our recent report “Chinese FDI in Europe, the 2025 update”.

In dieser Folge unseres deutschsprachigen Podcasts „China in 26“ sprechen Bernhard Bartsch, Mikko Huotari und Claudia Wessling über die Ergebnisse der Treffen von Chinas Partei- und Staatschef Xi Jinping mit US-Präsident Donald Trump sowie dem russischen Präsidenten Wladimir Putin in Beijing. Sie werfen einen Blick auf Chinas Wirtschaftszahlen für den April und die Stimmung unter deutschen Unternehmen in der Volksrepublik. Und sie sprechen über chinesische Investitionen in Europa, die im vergangenen Jahr den höchsten Stand seit 2018 erreicht haben.Mehr über die Themen dieser Ausgabe:Gipfel in Beijing + Schwache Wirtschaftsdaten aus China + Hongkonger Dissidenten - MERICS China EssentialsChinese investment rises to 7-year high - Chinese FDI in Europe: 2025 Update - Studie von Rhodium Group und MERICS

Trotz warmer Worte und großer Gesten hat der Staatsbesuch von US-Präsident Donald Trump bei Xi Jinping in China keine grundlegende Annäherung der beiden Großmächte gebracht. Mikko Huotari, Direktor des Mercator-Instituts für Chinastudien, erklärt die Gründe.

China im Jahr 2026 – diskutiert in 26 Minuten: In dieser Folge des deutschsprachigen MERICS-Podcasts sprechen Mikko Huotari und Claudia Wessling diesmal mit Katja Drinhausen, Leiterin des Bereichs Politik und Gesellschaft bei MERICS. Sie diskutieren neue Regeln zum Schutz der Wirtschaft und von Lieferketten in China und wagen einen Ausblick auf das bevorstehende Treffen von US-Präsident Donald Trump und Chinas Staats- und Parteichef Xi Jinping.

Although 2025 saw China being faced with increased pressure and tariffs imposed by Washington and a marked decrease in exports to the US, the Chinese balance sheet still showed a record global trade surplus of 1.2 trillion USD. Jacob Gunter, Head of the Economy and Industry program at MERICS, and Esther Goreichy, Visiting Fellow at the institute, join Johannes Heller-John to talk about the reasons for cheap Chinese exports, cut-throat competition in China and the cost for Chinese society.Jacob and Esther recently launched a new project which tracks China's overcapacities across sectors: the MERICS Overcapacity Monitor. Explore the Monitor here.

The war in Iran has highlighted China's economic relationship with the countries in the Persian Gulf. In this episode Plamen Tonchev talks to Johannes Heller-John about China's interests and activities in the Gulf region and Europe's South-Eastern Periphery. Plamen is Head of the Asia Unit at the Athens- based Institute of International Economic Relations (IIER) and European China Policy Fellow at MERICS. More about the topic:"China in the Security Conundrum of Europe's Southeastern Periphery" by Plamen Tonchev and Vasilis Petropoulos"More Than Meets The Eye: Behind the Façade of Sino-Cypriot Relations" by Plamen Tonchev

Die Fusion von Militär und Zivilem (junmin ronghe), Englisch Military Civil Fusion, ist eine zentrale Strategie der Kommunistischen Partei Chinas. Die Führung unter Staats- und Parteichef Xi Jinping fördert gezielt die Integration von Unternehmen, Universitäten und Forschungseinrichtungen mit Chinas Militär. Das Ziel: Chinas Volksbefreiungsarmee, die PLA, schlagkräftiger zu machen. China ist gleichzeitig ein wichtiger wissenschaftlicher Partner für Deutschland und die EU. Können in ziviler Zusammenarbeit gewonnene Forschungsergebnisse womöglich in China für militärische Zwecke genutzt werden? Wie lassen sich hier die Risiken definieren und reduzieren?Sarah Kirchberger, Direktorin des Instituts für Sicherheitspolitik an der Universität Kiel (ISPK), und Antonia Hmaidi, Senior Analyst im MERICS-Forschungsteam für Wissenschaft, sprechen dazu mit Claudia Wessling, Leiterin Kommunikation und Publikationen am Mercator Institute for China Studies.Gefördert vom Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt (BMFTR) werden MERICS und das ISPK in den kommenden 2,5 Jahren im Projekt „Nutzung ziviler Forschung für Chinas Militär: Auswirkungen auf Europa“ – Teil der Förderlinie “Moderne Chinastudien II” – zusammen das Thema weiter auslooten.

Öl ist mehr als nur ein Rohstoff – es ist eines der wichtigsten Machtinstrumente der Weltpolitik. Wenn Kriege im Nahen Osten eskalieren, beeinflussen sie Märkte, Lieferketten und ganze Volkswirtschaften. Durch den Krieg im Iran ist der Ölpreis zuletzt sprunghaft gestiegen, Börsen reagieren nervös, und die Angst vor einem neuen Energieschock wächst. Transport, Produktion und Energie werden teurer – und auch die deutsche Wirtschaft bleibt von steigenden Ölpreisen nicht unberührt. Für China könnte diese Entwicklung besonders problematisch werden. Das Land hat in den vergangenen Jahren große Mengen billiges Rohöl aus dem Iran, Russland und Venezuela importiert – vor allem über verdeckte Handelswege, Ship‑to‑Ship‑Transfers über sogenannte Schattenflotten. Diese Konstellation hat eine Art parallelen Energiemarkt entstehen lassen. Gleichzeitig ist die Lage an der Straße von Hormus angespannt. Durch die Meerenge werden im Normalfall etwa 20 Millionen Barrel Öl pro Tag transportiert – rund 20 Prozent der weltweit gehandelten Menge. Berichte über blockierte Passagen und ausweichende Tanker zeigen, wie verwundbar dieser Korridor in Zeiten militärischer Eskalation ist. Sollte der Transit länger gestört sein, geraten Lieferketten ins Stocken. Wie groß ist die Gefahr eines neuen globalen Ölpreisschocks? Wird Chinas Energiestrategie vom Vorteil zur wirtschaftlichen Achillesferse? Und beschleunigt der Konflikt im Nahen Osten eine neue Phase ökonomischer und geopolitischer Blockbildung? Darüber spricht Dilan Gropengiesser in der 131. Folge von Was jetzt? – Die Woche mit Dr. Eva Seiwert vom Merics, dem Mercator Institute for China Studies. Unsere Sendung sehen Sie immer donnerstags auf zeit.de und auf YouTube.

In these uncertain times of historic geopolitical tensions, it is all the more important to understand the nature and elements of the relationship of two of the world's most influential powers: China and Russia.Three researchers that investigate the relationship of these two countries join Johannes Heller-John in this episode: Minna Ålander, Analyst at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs (UI), Filip Rudnik Senior Specialist at the Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW) in Poland and Eva Seiwert, Senior Analyst at MERICS.All three of them contribute to the China-Russia Dashboard, which aims to foster a better understanding by tracking and analyzing the economic, political, security, and societal dimensions of China-Russia relations and their changing quality over time. The Dashboard is a collaboration of MERICS, OSW and UI, which also includes the Swedish National China Centre.

China im Jahr 2026 – diskutiert in 26 Minuten: In dieser Folge des deutschsprachigen MERICS-Podcasts sprechen Bernhard Bartsch, Mikko Huotari und Claudia Wessling über China auf der Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz, bei der auch MERICS als Mitorganisator des „China Tracks“ vertreten war. Sie diskutieren auch über die bevorstehende Reise von Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz nach China, bei der einige herausfordernde Themen auf der Agenda stehen dürften.

Satellite internet has attracted increased attention in the last years and the possibility for its civilian as well as miliary use makes it a so called “dual use” technology. Antonia Hmaidi and Altynay Junusova, Senior Analyst and Analyst in the Science, Technology and Innovation Program at MERICS, join Johannes Heller-John to talk about China in the race for satellite internet, its competition with the US and what it will take for Europe to catch up. More on this topic:Orbital Geopolitics: China's dual-use space internet, Rebecca Arcesati, Antonia Hmaidi, Altynay JunusovaChina Tech Observatory

2025 has seen the Chinese government act with increasing confidence in its own power and agency on the international stage. Is this confidence mirrored in Chinese self-perceptions? MERICS Analyst Alexander Davey and professor for sinology at the University of Trier Kristin Shi-Kupfer join Johannes Heller-John to cast a spotlight on domestic debates in China.Together with Christina Sadeler from MERICS and Wutao Wen from the University of Trier they are the co-authors of the report “China's domestic debates under the shadow of geopolitics: How views about the economy, commercial culture, and trending topics reveal self-perceptions”.The report and this podcast are part of the China Spektrum, a joint project of the China institute of the University of Trier (CIUT) and MERICS, supported by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom.

Eighty years after its foundation, calls for a reform of the United Nations are abundant. Since 2021, China has put forth ideas for such reforms and a different world order in the form of international initiatives like the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative or Beijing's most recent addition, the Global Governance Initiative launched in September 2025. Katja Drinhausen, Head of the MERICS Politics and Society Program, and Manoj Kewalramani, chairperson of the Indo-Pacific Studies Program at the Takshashila Institution, non-resident Senior Associate at the Freeman Chair in China Studies at CSIS, and until the end of November 2025 Senior Associate Fellow at MERICS, join Johannes Heller-John to examine China's vision for the global order as it is aspired by the government, discussed by think tankers, and operationalized by policymakers. This podcast episode is part of China Spektrum, a joint project of the China institute of the University of Trier (CIUT) and the Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS). The project is made possible by a grant from the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom.

In dieser Folge des "China in 25"-Podcasts wagen Bernhard Bartsch, Mikko Huotari und Claudia Wessling einen Blick ins Jahr 2026. Dabei schauen sie auf die Ergebnisse unseres MERICS China Forecast, die anstehenden Themen des kommenden Jahres und die Chinareisen des französischen Präsidenten Macron und des deutschen Außenministers Wadephul.Für Mikko Huotari haben die Beziehungen zu China eine neue Dimension: „Das ist ein China, mit dem wir uns noch auf Jahre, Jahrzehnte auseinandersetzen müssen. Ein China, das einen ganz anderen Anspruch hat, die Welt zu steuern und zu definieren, unter welchen Bedingungen die Beziehung mit uns ablaufen können.“Mehr Informationen:MERICS Essentials: China im Jahr 2026MERICS China Forecast 2026: High expectations for Chinese innovation, low expectations for relations with US and EUResilient engagement playbook: How Europe can navigate relations with a more confrontational Beijing

Die Abhängigkeit zwischen Deutschland und China sei nicht einseitig, sagt Bernhard Bartsch, Mercator Institute for China Studies. China sei aber bereit, diese Abhängigkeit politisch auszuspielen und sei deshalb ein "wahnsinnig schwieriger Partner". Von WDR 5.

The relationship between the US and China has been fraud with conflict for many years and its twists and turns have global effects. In this episode, George Yin joins Johannes Heller-John to decipher the China policy of the US and its continuities and changes over the last administrations. They also discuss what the EU can do to find its place amidst the rivalling superpowers.George is a Senior Fellow at MERICS and a Senior Research Fellow at the Center for China Studies, National Taiwan University. He is also Senior Advisor to the Straits Exchange Foundation and holds research affiliations with Harvard and Oxford Universities. Among other topics he looks at the China policy of the US.The conversation was recorded on September 26.For more on the topic, read George's comment piece "Art of the deal meets great power politics: Trump 2.0's approach to China" here.

Meurer, Friedbert www.deutschlandfunk.de, Informationen am Mittag

China has designated cyberspace, outer space, the polar regions and the deep sea as “strategic new frontiers”. It sees competition with the US and Europe extending into these areas as well. Helena Legarda, Head of the Foreign Relations Program at MERICS, joins Johannes Heller-John to talk about what interests China has in these areas and how Europe can catch up ground it has lost over time. Helena is the author of a new MERICS Report titled "The Arctic, outer space and influence-building: China and Russia join forces to expand in new strategic frontiers". Read the report here. ----This podcast is part of the project “Dealing with a Resurgent China” (DWARC) which has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement number 101061700.Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Ahead of the Fourth Plenum of the 20th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), this episode of the MERICS China Podcast looks at three issues that are high on the priority list for Chinese decisionmakers, namely urban development, social welfare and global trade tensions. Alexander Davey, Analyst in the Politics and Society Program at MERICS, joins Johannes Heller-John to talk about some of the CCP's priorities for the next months, the upcoming Fourth Plenum from October 20 to 23 and the 15th Five-Year Plan.You can also watch our media briefing on the Fourth Plenum and 15th Five-Year Plan or read our latest MERICS China Essentials for more coverage.

Biotechnology is strategically important because of its potential to transform humanity's control over nature. Governments worldwide are racing to secure their positions in the field – and China is no exception. MERICS experts Alexander Brown and Jeroen Groenewegen-Lau join Johannes Heller-John to discuss the rise of China in biotechnology. They are the authors of the report “Lab leader, market ascender: China's rise in biotechnology”, published earlier this year. Research for the report is part of the MERICS China Tech Observatory (CTO), a project funded by the Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) under funding reference number 01DO24001.

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the way we live and work, and its potential use in military applications could alter the global balance of power. The Chinese Communist Party is taking note of this development. During a Politburo study session focused on AI in April, China's party and state leader Xi Jinping urged a nationwide mobilization to achieve “self-reliance and self-strengthening” in AI. Wendy Chang and Antonia Hmaidi – analysts in the Science, Technology and Innovation Program at MERICS – join Johannes Heller-John to assess China's aims and progress on its self-sufficiency drive in AI. Together with Rebecca Arcesati, Antonia and Wendy have authored our new report “China's drive toward self-reliance in artificial intelligence: from chips to large language models”. Research for the report is part of the MERICS China Tech Observatory (CTO), a project funded by the Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) under funding reference number 01DO24001.More about the topics covered in this episode here:“China's drive toward self-reliance in artificial intelligence: from chips to large language models,” MERICS Report by Wendy Chang, Rebecca Arcesati and Antonia HmaidiDeepSeek and the upcoming AI Action Summit, MERICS Podcast with Rebecca ArcesatiMore China Tech Observatory analyses on Artificial Intelligence

The next EU-China Summit will take place in Beijing at the end of this month. In this episode of our podcast, Abigaël Vasselier, Director of Policy and European Affairs and Head of Program for Foreign Relations at MERICS, joins Claudia Wessling, Director Communications and Publications, to talk about her expectations for the summit, the state of EU-China relations and outcomes of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's recent visit to Europe.

With an uncertain geopolitical environment and ongoing competition with the US and Europe, national security has become even more important than before in China. So much so that a National Security White Paper, the first of its kind, was published in May of 2025.How has China's approach to security changed under the changing international environment? What new risks does the paper identify domestically and internationally? And what implications does it have for Europe? In this episode Katja Drinhausen, Head of Program Politics and Society at MERICS, and Helena Legarda, Lead Analyst at MERICS, join Johannes Heller-John to answer these questions.Read more about the topics covered in this episode here:MERICS China Security and Risk Tracker 01/2025

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is widening its influence over private companies. Since Xi Jinping took office as party and state leader, the CCP has increased its control over the private economy by guiding capital, controlling shares and engaging in corporate governance. In this episode, Kasper Ingeman Beck, Postdoc at the Copenhagen Business School, and Nis Grünberg, Lead Analyst at MERICS, join Johannes Heller-John to discuss the role of the CCP in the private sector and what it means for decision makers in Europe.----This podcast is part of the project “Dealing with a Resurgent China” (DWARC) which has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement number 101061700.Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Chinese outbound foreign direct investment in the EU and UK rose for the first time in 2024 after seven consecutive years of decline. In this episode we look at what has changed, where the money is going, and what is happening in the particularly important sector of electric vehicles.Armand Meyer, Senior Research Analyst with Rhodium Group's China Data Services team, and Andreas Mischer, Analyst with the Economics team at MERICS, are co-authors of a recent report on Chinese FDI in Europe, published by Rhodium Group and MERICS. They share its results with Johannes Heller-John.

The Labor government in the UK launched an audit of the country's relations with China in 2024. The results are set to be released in June. In this episode of the MERICS China Podcast, Charles Parton joins Johannes Heller-John to talk about the UK's China Audit and the importance of science and technology in the China context. Charles Parton is a member of the UK think tank Council on Geostrategy, the Royal United Services Institute for Defence Studies (RUSI), and a Senior Associate Fellow at MERICS. Read more about the topics covered in this episode here:Publications of Charles Parton at the Council on GeostrategyPublications of the Coalition on Secure Technology

„China in 25“ – in maximal 25 Minuten sprechen Mikko Huotari, Bernhard Bartsch und Claudia Wessling über aktuelle Entwicklungen in China. In dieser Folge geht es um eine neue Eskalation zwischen den USA und China im Bereich Hochleistungschips und Künstliche Intelligenz, um Chinas Sicherheits- und Rüstungspolitik sowie um Chinas erstmals seit Jahren wieder gestiegene Investitionen in Europa. Die Diskussion dreht sich um eine zentrale Beobachtung: Ob Technologie-, Sicherheits- oder Investitionspolitik, die strategischen Grundlagen für aktuelle Entwicklungen wurden von Beijing mit langem Atem vor mehr als einem Jahrzehnt angelegt, in Initiativen wie „Made in China 2025“ oder der „Neuen Seidenstraße“, in Xi Jinpings kontinuierlicher Ausweitung des Sicherheitsbegriffs sowie gezielten Investitionen in Chinas militärische Fähigkeiten. Mehr über die Themen in dieser Ausgabe erfahren Sie hier:Studie von MERICS und Rhodium Group: Chinese investment rebounds despite growing frictions - Chinese FDI in Europe: 2024 UpdateMERICS China Essentials: Weißbuch zur Nationalen Sicherheit + China und Lateinamerika + US-China-Beziehungen

A bonus episode this week. On May 22, I moderated a panel organized by Vita Golod and the UNC Center for Slavic, Eurasian, and East European Studies. The focus was on the U.S.-Ukraine Mineral Security Partnership, and it features Ivan Us, Chief Consultant at the Center for Foreign Policy at the National Institute for Strategic Studies; Jim Mullinax, a Senior Foreign Service Officer and former Consul General at the U.S. Consulate in Chengdu (closed in 2020); Grzegorz Stec, Senior Analyst and Head of the Brussels Office at MERICS; and Xu Qinduo, journalist at CGTN and Senior Fellow at the Pangoal Institution. The panel explores the background and the implications of the minerals deal, signed on May 1, 2025, for the ongoing war in Ukraine, and prospects for post-war reconstruction. I hope you enjoy what I thought was a fascinating conversation.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

High US tariffs on China have raised concerns in the EU of Chinese goods being rerouted from the US to Europe. This has also rekindled an ongoing discussion about overcapacities in the Chinese industry. Why are they a danger to European industries? What drives them in China? And what options do European decisionmakers have?Max J. Zenglein, Chief Economist at MERICS, and Jacob Gunter, Lead Analyst at MERICS, are two of the lead authors of the recent report “Beyond overcapacity: Chinese-style modernization and the clash of economic models”. They join Johannes Heller-John for this podcast episode to share their findings.More information:MERICS: Beyond overcapacity: Chinese-style modernization and the clash of economic modelsMERICS: Staying focused: Priorities for transatlantic China policy coordinationEU Chamber of Commerce in China: Made in China 2025: The Cost of Technological Leadership

Global tariffs introduced by the US government under the second Trump administration on April 2nd have rocked global markets. While they have been reduced to a blanket rate of 10 percent a week later, they have increased for China to 145 percent. In retaliation, the Chinese government raised tariffs on all US goods to 125 percent. Johannes Heller-John talks to Jacob Gunter, Lead Analyst at MERICS, about the aims of the US government, the impact on the Chinese economy and the way forward for Europe.More information:MERICS China Essentials Special Issue: The US-China trade war----This podcast is part of the project “Dealing with a Resurgent China” (DWARC) which has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement number 101061700.Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

The widening rift between the United States and Europe will have an effect on the EUs relationship with China. How does Beijing see the EU in the first months of the second Trump administration? Is there an appetite for closer engagement? And what does this mean for Europe? Johannes Heller-John talks to Grzegorz Stec, Head of our Brussels Office and Senior Analyst at MERICS to get a better understanding for China's view of the EU during the second Trump administration. More information:MERICS Europe China 360° issue 1/2025The Europe-China Resilience Audit: Insights for advancing European resilienceThis podcast is part of the project “Dealing with a Resurgent China” (DWARC) which has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement number 101061700.Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Die Wahlen zum Deutschen Bundestag vom 23. Februar wurden auch in China aufmerksam verfolgt. Kristin Shi-Kupfer, Professorin für Sinologie an der Universität Trier und Senior Associate Fellow bei MERICS, berichtet in dieser Ausgabe unseres Podcasts, warum Alice Weidel in den Online-Foren so stark diskutiert wird, was die Netizens über Friedrich Merz denken und wie Deutschlands Rolle im transatlantischen Verhältnis sowie in den Beziehungen zu China gesehen wird. Die Fragen stellt Claudia Wessling, Leiterin Kommunikation & Publikationen bei MERICS. Diese Folge des MERICS China Podcasts ist Teil von China Spektrum, ein Projekt von MERICS und dem China-Institut der Universität Trier (CIUT), gefördert von der Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung.Weitere Informationen finden Sie hier:Projektwebsite China Spektrum mit allen PublikationenChina Spektrum auf BlueSkyChina Spektrum auf Threads

Einige der weltweit größten und erfolgreichsten Social Media Plattformen sind in China – mehrere davon mit hunderten Millionen Nutzern. Sie sind Ort für soziale Interaktion, Unterhaltung, Nachrichten und Wissensaustausch. Auch politische Themen werden diskutiert wie beispielsweise Debatten zur Anhebung des Rentenalters, zur Familienplanungspolitik sowie zur Rolle von Künstlicher Intelligenz für den chinesischen Arbeitsmarkt. Die Debatten spiegeln auch sozioökonomische Spannungen im Land wider.Vor dem Nationalen Volkskongress – formal Chinas Parlament, dessen einmal jährliche zehntägige Sitzung am 5. März beginnt – geben Kristin Shi-Kupfer, Professorin für Sinologie an der Universität Trier und Senior Associate Fellow bei MERICS, und Katja Drinhausen, Programmleiterin für den Bereich Innenpolitik und Gesellschaft bei MERICS, einen Einblick in Chinas digitale Landschaft. Im Gespräch mit Johannes Heller-John blicken sie auf aktuelle Diskussionen und die Bemühungen der Regierung, Online-Debatten zu steuern.Mehr über das Thema erfahren sie in der Studie „Chinas fragile Räume für Online-Debatten“, die Shi-Kupfer und Drinhausen gemeinsam mit MERICS Senior Analystin Christina Sadeler verfasst haben. Die Analyse ist Teil des von der Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung geförderten Projekts China Spektrum, an dem MERICS und das China-Institut der Universität Trier (CIUT) beteiligt sind.Weiterführende Literatur:Chinas fragile Räume für Online-Debatten, China Spektrum StudieZu schnell zu alt? Demografische und strukturelle Herausforderungen für Chinas Rentensystem, China Spektrum AnalyseChina Spektrum auf BlueSkyChina Spektrum auf ThreadsChina Spektrum Projektwebsite mit allen Publikationen 

The Chinese startup DeepSeek has rattled Silicon Valley's confidence in the United States' lead in artificial intelligence (AI) technology. DeepSeek's first free Chatbot App became the most downloaded app on the iOS App Store as well as on the Google Play Store by the end of January. These developments come ahead of the French AI Action Summit, which will take place from February 10 to 11 and convene Heads of State and Government, leaders of international organizations, tech companies, NGOs, as well as academics, and members of civil society.Johannes Heller-John talks to Rebecca Arcesati, Lead Analyst at MERICS based in Brussels, about the issues behind DeepSeek's meteoric rise and expectations for the AI Action Summit. In her view, “France has an opportunity to show that there is a European way that is a middle way between a corporate driven approach that has emerged in the United States and a more state driven approach that has emerged in China.”Artificial Intelligence is one of the topics featured in the MERICS China Tech Observatory, a project sponsored by the German Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF).

Abigaël Vasselier, Director Policy & European Affairs at MERICS, just returned from a trip to Washington DC where she discussed transatlantic China policies with US counterparts. In this conversation with Claudia Wessling, MERICS Director of Communications & Publications, Abigael talks about the challenges that lie ahead for the EU in the coming months in managing its relations with China and the United States under President Donald Trump.This podcast is part of the project “Dealing with a Resurgent China” (DWARC) which has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement number 101061700.Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

China is vying for leadership in quantum research and applications. But it is still early days, and front runners and technical approaches have not yet been consolidated. Johannes Heller-John talks to Antonia Hmaidi, Senior Analyst at MERICS and lead of the MERICS' data task force, and Jeroen Groenewegen-Lau, Head of Program "Science, Technology and Innovation" at MERICS, about China's race for quantum leadership. Their most recent report “China's long view on Quantum Tech has the US and the EU playing catch up” is part of the China Tech Observatory and sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

After months of weak economic performance, Beijing has introduced a series of measures aimed at stabilizing the economy. They include a 10 trillion yuan local government debt restructuring package.To shed light on the blatant levels of local government indebtedness, Claudia Wessling, Director Communications and Publications at MERICS, talks to Victor Shih and Max Zenglein. Victor is a professor of political science, director of the 21st Century China Center at the School of Global Policy and Strategy and the Ho Miu Lam Chair in China and Pacific Relations at UC San Diego. Max is the Chief Economist at MERICS and the driving force behind the Economic Indicators, a quarterly series of analyses for MERICS members that puts China's economic statistics into context. --This podcast episode is part of the “Dealing with a Resurgent China” (DWARC) project, which has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement number 101061700. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. 

What will the renewed election of Donald Trump to the White House mean for the United States' already complicated relations with China? How does China discuss Trump, both on an informal and expert level, but also in the official realm? And how does all of this concern the EU and member states?To answer these questions Claudia Wessling, Director Communications and Publications at MERICS, talks to Jude Blanchette and Katja Drinhausen. Jude is one of the most outstanding US experts on China. He holds the Freeman Chair in China Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington. Jude has written for a range of publications, including Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, the Wall Street Journal, and the Financial Times. He also serves as a public intellectual fellow at the National Committee on United States-China Relations. Katja is the Head of the MERICS program researching China's politics and society. Her research focuses on the development of China's legal and governance system. Katja is one lead researchers of “China Spektrum,” a joint research project with the China Institute of the University of Trier funded by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation. The project analyzes expert and public debates in China. It was previously only available in German, but is now published in English as well. 

Dive into China's complex involvement in the Middle East with Barbara Kelemen and our host, Dominic Bowen. Covering vast topics from China's Belt and Road Initiative, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, how China is balancing its strategic partnership with Iran, and China's relationship with Afghanistan since the US withdrawal of troops. Barbara Kelemen studied in China (Peking University) and London (LSE), earning a double degree in International History. She has specialized in international security and relations, focusing primarily on China and its relations with the Middle East. After graduating, Barbara joined MERICS but then decided to join the private intelligence sector where she has now been for 5 years.  Barbara works for Dragonfly Intelligence (a UK-based geopolitical advisory) but moved to Singapore 1.5 year ago, where she is head of their Asia office. Dragonfly Intelligence advise clients how to anticipate and prepare for major geopolitical and security trends.Barbara's research interests include China's security policy, China-Middle East relations, China-Afghanistan relations, Terrorism in Southeast Asia.The International Risk Podcast is a weekly podcast for senior executives, board members, and risk advisors. In these podcasts, we speak with experts in a variety of fields to explore international relations. Our host is Dominic Bowen, Head of Strategic Advisory at one of Europe's leading risk consulting firms. Dominic is a regular public and corporate event speaker, and visiting lecturer at several universities. Having spent the last 20 years successfully establishing large and complex operations in the world's highest-risk areas and conflict zones, Dominic now joins you to speak with exciting guests around the world to discuss international risk.The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.Follow us on LinkedIn for all our great updates.Tell us what you liked!

Beijing's global push to establish a global network of ports with Chinese involvement is slowing. Today's guests Clark Banach, Program Director at the Alethia Research Institution and former MERICS Futures Fellow, and Jacob Gunter, Lead Analyst at MERICS, discuss the development and changes in China's global infrastructure investments. In this conversation with Johannes Heller-John, they analyze the aims Beijing wants to achieve by these investments and the impact of Chinese port investments on the European and global market. You can find the interactive map mentioned in the podcast here.--This podcast episode is part of the “Dealing with a Resurgent China” (DWARC) project, which has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement number 101061700. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. 

China ist zu einer bedeutenden Wissenschafts- und Technologiemacht geworden. Über Chinas Streben nach Unabhängigkeit in kritischen Technologien wie künstliche Intelligenz, Quanten- oder Bio-Technologie spricht Johannes Heller-John mit Antonia Hmaidi, Senior Analystin am MERICS. Sie leitet die Daten-Taskforce des Instituts und das vom Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung geförderte Projekt „China Tech Observatory“ (CTO). 

Over the last decade, China's arms makers have gone beyond solely supplying the People's Liberation Army and began to look for overseas markets to supplement sales and support Beijing's geopolitical goals. Arms sales are an often-overlooked aspect of China's global security and economic footprint and can present challenges to European policy makers and arms producers.To discuss this topic Johannes Heller-John is joined by Helena Legarda and Jacob Gunter, both Lead Analysts at MERICS. They are the authors of the recent edition of our China Global Competition Tracker looking at China's arms industry. 

There are many factors that have led to China's more assertive foreign policy, especially under Xi Jinping. In this episode, Helena Legarda discusses the centralization of power within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and how this has influenced China's strategic ambitions on the global stage. She also highlights the increasing role of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in defense diplomacy and how various domestic agencies, including think tanks and local governments, contribute to shaping China's foreign policy.The conversation also touches on the CCP's reliance on nationalism as a source of legitimacy, especially in the face of economic challenges. Helena discusses how this heightened nationalism impacts China's foreign relations and the challenges it poses for the international community.Additionally, the conversation explores the evolving relationship between Europe and China, particularly the European Union's strategy of "de-risking" rather than decoupling from China. Legarda provides insights into how Europe's changing stance towards China might influence global geopolitics and the role that countries like India could play in this new strategic environment.How does China balance its ambitions for global leadership with the growing challenges at home? What role does defense diplomacy play in China's foreign policy? And how are global powers like the EU and India adjusting to China's rising influence?Episode ContributorsHelena Legarda is a lead analyst with MERICS. Her research focuses on China's defense and foreign policies, including their domestic sources and drivers, and their geopolitical impact. Prior to joining MERICS she gained professional experience at the Delegation of the European Union to China and at research and advisory firm China Policy in Beijing. Shibani Mehta is a senior research analyst with the Security Studies Program at Carnegie India. Her research focuses on the India-China boundary dispute with the purpose of analyzing India's foreign and security policy decision-making. She also writes extensively on South Asian regional dynamics and minilaterals in the Indo-Pacific.Additional Readings:The Xi Jinping Doctrine of China's International Relations by Feng ZhangChina's New International Paradigm: Security First by Helena Legarda "Comprehensive National Security" Unleashed: How Xi's approach Shapes China's Policies at Home and Abroad by Katja Drinhausen and Helena Legarda EU-China Relations: De-Risking or De-Coupling − The Future of the EU Strategy Towards China  Every two weeks, Interpreting India brings you diverse voices from India and around the world to explore the critical questions shaping the nation's future. We delve into how technology, the economy, and foreign policy intertwine to influence India's relationship with the global stage.As a Carnegie India production, hosted by Carnegie scholars, Interpreting India, a Carnegie India production, provides insightful perspectives and cutting-edge by tackling the defining questions that chart India's course through the next decade.Stay tuned for thought-provoking discussions, expert insights, and a deeper understanding of India's place in the world.Don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review to join the conversation and be part of Interpreting India's journey.

Das Jahr 2024 birgt viele Unsicherheiten für China: Die wirtschaftliche Lage im Land ist schwierig. Vielschichtige Konflikte auf regionaler und internationaler Ebene und die Ergebnisse der Wahlen in der EU und den USA werden sich auch auf China auswirken. Wie geht Beijing die Herausforderungen an? Podcast-Moderator Johannes Heller-John spricht mit dem deutsch-chinesischen Journalisten Shi Ming, einem Kenner von Chinas Innenpolitik. Der Publizist, der für führende Medien tätig ist, war im Sommer 2024 als Senior Fellow zu Gast bei MERICS. 

China's foreign policy has grown more assertive and confident under the leadership of Xi Jinping. How has China's foreign policy evolved and what does this mean for European interests? Johannes Heller-John talks to Akio Takahara about the rivalry between China and the United States, China's relations with Russia, the meaning of the Global South in China's foreign policy – and the worrying tensions in the South China Sea. Akio is a distinguished Visiting professor at the Tokyo Woman's Christian University and professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo and a renowned specialist for current politics and diplomacy in China. He also sits on MERICS' International Scientific Council and just recently visited our institute as a Senior Fellow.Recommended reading:How do smaller countries in the Indo-Pacific region proactively interact with China? An introduction, article by Akio Takahara in the Journal of Contemporary East Asian Studies

The Chinese leadership has met in Beijing for the long awaited Third Plenum - a key meeting happening once in five years of the formally highest authority of the Chines Communist Party, the Central Committee. It was a chance to lay out policy decisions to address the many issues the country is facing, including sluggish growth, rising government debt and unemployment. To get a first reaction to what came out from the third plenum, Johannes Heller-John talks to Alexander Davey, Analyst at MERICS. In his view, looking at the issues China is facing “there isn't any new idea or any new way of dealing with this” that came out of the Third Plenum.The Big Data China survey results can be found here.

The long awaited third plenary session of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party will kick off on July 15. In the four-day meeting its 376 members will vote on programmatic decisions prepared by the Politbureau that will aim to solve the pressing economic and social issues the country currently faces.Johannes Heller-John talks with Kristin Shi-Kupfer and Katja Drinhausen about the Third Plenum as well as Chinese debates on the country's current economic challenges and future pathways.Kristin Shi-Kupfer is a professor of Sinology at the University of Trier and a senior associate fellow at MERICS. Katja Drinhausen heads the politics & society program at MERICS. Together they lead the China Spektrum project, which analyzes relevant current debates and positions among Chinese intellectuals and experts, as well as public discussions unfolding on social media platforms and online. China Spektrum is a joint project of the China institute of the University of Trier (CIUT) and the Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS). The project is made possible by a grant from the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom.

As the status quo in the Taiwan Strait is increasingly unstable, what can we expect from Taiwan's new president Lai Ching-te when it comes to navigating relations with China? How will the results of the EU elections affect Europe's policies vis-à-vis Taiwan? And how might a change of government in the United States impact the situation? These are some of the questions discussed by Bonnie Glaser, Managing Director of GMF's Indo-Pacific program, and MERICS' Director Policy & European Affairs Abigaël Vasselier in this conversation with Claudia Wessling, Director of Communications and Publications at MERICS.

Chinese investment in Europe has hit a new low according to a new study by MERICS and Rhodium Group on China's Foreign Direct Overseas Investment in the 27 EU member states and the UK. It is the lowest level of investment since 2010. In Hungary, however, investments drastically increased and made up just under half of all FDI in Europe in 2023. Where does Chinese investment in Europe stand, what sectors and countries do Chinese investors focus on and where do we go from here? Johannes Heller-John is joined by two authors of the study, Alexander Brown, Analyst with MERICS focusing on China's industrial and foreign economic policy, and Gregor Sebastian, Senior Analyst with Rhodium Group's China Corporate Advisory team focusing on China's industrial policy and EV industry.

France's Emmanuel Macron got little to show from President Xi Jinping's European tour this month. In this Exchange podcast, MERICS expert Grzegorz Stec explains the difficulty of managing ties with Beijing and why balancing risk and business opportunity is so tricky. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt-out of targeted advertising.