The new central front: Japan’s special role in the West’s strategic rivalry with China
Japan’s approach to economic security provides valuable lessons for Europe about effectively navigating the challenges posed by a rising China
Asia
Here be dragons: India-China relations and their consequences for Europe
The border standoff between China and India illustrates the growing rivalry between the two countries – and the part that other major powers play in it
Behind the buzzwords: What China’s priorities mean for Europe
Xi Jinping’s comments at the recent National People’s Congress confirmed Beijing’s ambitions for the next five years – and the challenges they present for Europe
The weight of history: Why the recent thaw in South Korea-Japan relations may not last
A recent thaw in ties between the EU’s two most important partners in East Asia is a potential game-changer for a region fraught with geopolitical danger – but complex domestic politics in both countries may yet derail a truly long-lasting rapprochement
Xi Jinping’s idea of world order
The real battle for international supremacy today is not between democracies and autocracies, but between different models of global order, with China and the West each offering its own distinct account of “democracy”. The sooner that Western leaders recognise this, the better chance they will have of attracting new partners
Bad cop in Brussels: How the European Commission is driving the China narrative – again
Numerous European leaders are beating a path to Beijing’s door. ECFR Asia director Janka Oertel and the German Marshall Fund’s Andrew Small reflect on European wishful thinking, clever tactical manoeuvres, and long-term strategic choices.
The shoots of stability: What the Saudi-Iran deal means for the Middle East and Europe
Saudi Arabia and Iran have agreed to begin the process of normalising their relations. Europeans should consider how to help entrench the stabilising gains of the agreement – even as they navigate difficulties with Iran
Hidden women: How European countries can help protect Afghan women’s rights
European countries need to look for the partners they made over the last 20 years and together redraw an Afghan-led strategy to protect women’s rights
Brothers (not yet) in arms: China-Russia relations a year into the war in Ukraine
China’s ‘peace plan’ for the war in Ukraine merely underlines its Russia-friendly perspective and desire to protect its own interests
Mob diplomacy
To understand today’s geopolitical ructions, one must look beyond major powers’ governments and top strategists. As the recent Chinese balloon saga showed, public opinion is increasingly in the driver’s seat, and it is steering international relations away from open, honest dialogue
Publications
A question of balance: India and Europe after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Europeans have found India’s position on the Ukraine war frustrating. But, although it is dependent on Russia for its arms, and has huge worries about China, India is actually moving inexorably closer to the West.
Circuit breakers: Securing Europe’s green energy supply chains
Europeans risk over-dependence on China for the green technologies needed to build the low-carbon economy of the future. They should take steps to reduce their exposure – while recognising they will have to work with Chinese suppliers in some instances.
Let a thousand contacts bloom: How China competes for influence in Bulgaria
China is expanding its presence in Bulgaria through a strategy of engagement with state and non-state actors. This has concerning implications in areas such as technology transfer, critical infrastructure, and public procurement.
What Europeans think about the US-China Cold War
A majority of European citizens believe a new cold war with both China and Russia is under way – but they mostly do not think that their own country is involved
The fall of the Afghan government and what it means for Europe
ECFR’s policy experts examine what the Taliban takeover means for countries and regions around the world: Europe, the US, the Middle East, Russia, China, Iran, Turkey, and the Sahel
Fish and ships: Chinese fishing and Europe’s Indo-Pacific strategy
Beijing instrumentalises its fishing fleet for geopolitical gain, as evidenced by its policy on the South China Sea. Europe cannot be a bystander on the issue.
Network effects: Europe’s digital sovereignty in the Mediterranean
The EU has the ambition and potential to become a sovereign digital power, but it lacks an all-encompassing strategy for the sector, in which individual governments are still the key players
Home advantage: How China’s protected market threatens Europe’s economic power
The EU urgently needs to incorporate the concept and reality of the ‘protected home market advantage’ into its thinking on China
Decade of patience: How China became a power in the Western Balkans
As European and US ambivalence towards the Western Balkans persists, the region will be in increasing danger of falling into an endless spiral of competition between various foreign actors
Climate superpowers: How the EU and China can compete and cooperate for a green future
As climate action becomes more material to economic interests, Europe and China will both compete and cooperate with each other, against the backdrop of an overarching systemic rivalry
Articles
The new central front: Japan’s special role in the West’s strategic rivalry with China
Japan’s approach to economic security provides valuable lessons for Europe about effectively navigating the challenges posed by a rising China
Here be dragons: India-China relations and their consequences for Europe
The border standoff between China and India illustrates the growing rivalry between the two countries – and the part that other major powers play in it
Behind the buzzwords: What China’s priorities mean for Europe
Xi Jinping’s comments at the recent National People’s Congress confirmed Beijing’s ambitions for the next five years – and the challenges they present for Europe
The weight of history: Why the recent thaw in South Korea-Japan relations may not last
A recent thaw in ties between the EU’s two most important partners in East Asia is a potential game-changer for a region fraught with geopolitical danger – but complex domestic politics in both countries may yet derail a truly long-lasting rapprochement
Xi Jinping’s idea of world order
The real battle for international supremacy today is not between democracies and autocracies, but between different models of global order, with China and the West each offering its own distinct account of “democracy”. The sooner that Western leaders recognise this, the better chance they will have of attracting new partners
Bad cop in Brussels: How the European Commission is driving the China narrative – again
Numerous European leaders are beating a path to Beijing’s door. ECFR Asia director Janka Oertel and the German Marshall Fund’s Andrew Small reflect on European wishful thinking, clever tactical manoeuvres, and long-term strategic choices.
The shoots of stability: What the Saudi-Iran deal means for the Middle East and Europe
Saudi Arabia and Iran have agreed to begin the process of normalising their relations. Europeans should consider how to help entrench the stabilising gains of the agreement – even as they navigate difficulties with Iran
Hidden women: How European countries can help protect Afghan women’s rights
European countries need to look for the partners they made over the last 20 years and together redraw an Afghan-led strategy to protect women’s rights
Brothers (not yet) in arms: China-Russia relations a year into the war in Ukraine
China’s ‘peace plan’ for the war in Ukraine merely underlines its Russia-friendly perspective and desire to protect its own interests
Mob diplomacy
To understand today’s geopolitical ructions, one must look beyond major powers’ governments and top strategists. As the recent Chinese balloon saga showed, public opinion is increasingly in the driver’s seat, and it is steering international relations away from open, honest dialogue
Specials
Mapping China’s rise in the Western Balkans
China is building up its influence in the Western Balkans through projects focused on everything from energy and infrastructure to culture, education, and media. If the European Union is to achieve its geopolitical goals in the region, it will need to understand the nature of competition with Beijing in all these areas.
Moving closer: European views of the Indo-Pacific
It will take more than just strong support from France, Germany, and the Netherlands to ensure that the new EU strategy for the Indo-Pacific is effective in the long term
What does India think?
Indians are many, as are their demands, aspirations, and ideas
Podcasts
China and Russia: a friendship without limits
Mark Leonard welcomes Janka Oertel and Alicja Bachulska, to discuss China-Russia relations
The Iran-Saudi deal and its impact
Mark Leonard welcomes Julien Barnes-Dacey, Cinzia Bianco and Andrew Small, to talk about the new Saudi – Iran deal
In:Sight China with Pan Chengxin
Mark Leonard and Pan Chengxin explore quantum relational theory and its application to world politics
Davos world: Alexander Stubb and Mark Leonard live from the WEF
Mark Leonard and Alexander Stubb give us their take on this year’s World Economic Forum
In:Sight China with Liu Hongqiao
Janka Oertel and Liu Hongqiao discuss China’s role at COP27 and the outlook of the country’s energy transition
Introducing: In:Sight China with Wang Jisi
Introducing our new podcast mini-series In:Sight China. Subscribe now!
The global race for semiconductor hegemony
How do chips decide power in today’s geopolitical competition?
The Clash of Orders with Pratap Bhanu Mehta on India
Mark Leonard is joined by Pratap Bhanu Mehta to discuss the Indian perspective on order
Events
25 Apr
24 Nov
La Cina oggi: Guerra in Ucraina, relazioni con UE e ruolo dell’Italia
L’evento si concentrerà sul ruolo e la postura della Cina negli attuali equilibri internazionali
12 Oct
2022 European Caucus on China
The European Caucus on China is a collaborative project between the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) and the Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS)
21 Jun
India-China Luncheon Lectures – India and the new geopolitics of technology
In this session, Pramit Pal Chaudhuri will elaborate on India’s role in shaping the new geopolitics of technology
17 May
It’s complicated: The Russia-China Axis
This event is part of the German Forum on Security Policy, organised by the Federal Academy for Security Policy (BAKS).
12 May
Green energy and China: How to avoid new dependencies?
Rhodium Group are delighted to invite you to the virtual launch event of our new policy paper “Circuit Breakers: Securing the Green Energy Supply Chain”
11 May
India-China Luncheon Lectures – Sino-Indian competition in the Indian Ocean
The ECFR Asia Programme is delighted to invite you to our online webinar which is part of our virtual luncheon series dedicated to the future of India-China relations. …
20 Apr
India-China Luncheon Lectures – Ukraine and India’s great power relations
In our sixth India-China Luncheon Lecture, Professor C. Raja Mohan will discuss the implications of Russia’s war in Ukraine on India’s relations with China, the US, and the EU.
14 Apr
Представяне на доклад – Да разцъфтят хиляди контакти: Как Китай се съревновава за влияние в България
Софийският офис на Европейския съвет за външна политика има удоволствието да Ви покани на представянето на новия доклад на Владимир Шопов, „Да разцъфтят хиляди…
23 Mar
India-China Luncheon Lectures – An Indian vision of China’s political trajectory under Xi Jinping
In the latest iteration of our India-China Luncheon Series, Jayadeva Ranade will shed light on the Indian perspective of China’s radical policy shift under Xi Jinping
In the media
Our competition with China is primarily on the tech side, a domain where Western freedom and democracy serve as the main drivers of innovation
The crisis in Pakistan, a nuclear power, could quickly take on global relevance: external actors such as China, the US or Saudi Arabia would pick their favourite political players
Bruno Maçães interviews Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan
I tend to disagree with the prevailing opinion suggesting that a multipolar Middle East could be positive, and that peaceful coexistence with Russia and China in the region is feasible
Cinzia Bianco discusses China and Russia’s penetration into the voids left by the US in the Middle East.
Alicia Bachulska talks about Wang Yi’s meeting with President Putin and China’s involvement in the war