The seminar will start with a presentation of the key points of convergence but also divergence existing between the China policies of European member states, based on the findings of the first report produced by the European Think-tank Network on China (ETNC), a network of China experts from EU member states launched at the initiative of Ifri and Elcano in November 2014, and devoted to the study of Chinese foreign policy and EU-China relations. The team will also present the preliminary findings of the forthcoming ETNC report on European perceptions of China’s Belt and Road project. Finally, the seminar will also provide opportunities to discuss the latest points of economic and political tensions between the EU and China (Market Economy Status, South China Sea etc.)

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS: Dr. Frans-Paul Van der Putten is Senior Research Fellow at the Netherlands Institute of International Relations (Clingendael). He focuses on China’s role in international security and the geopolitics of the Belt and Road initiative.

John Seaman is Research Fellow at the Center for Asian Studies of the French Institute of International Relations (Ifri). He focuses on energy, raw materials and geopolitics in Asia.

Dr. Alice Ekman is Head of China Research at the Center for Asian Studies, Ifri. She focuses on China’s domestic and foreign policy.

Dr. Françoise Nicolas is Director of the Center for Asian Studies, Ifri. A senior economist, she focuses on economic integration and development stratégies in East Asia.