Switzerland will host a high-level conference on June 15-16 aimed at achieving peace in Ukraine. But Moscow has dismissed the initiative as a waste of time. And Beijing, which has strengthened its relationship with Russia, has said it will also not attend the summit. Together with the renowned expert Alexander Gabuev we will unpack the […]
China has ramped up its use of nationalistic consumer boycotts against other governments as well as foreign companies. In this talk, I discuss Beijing's mobilization of patriotic consumers as a form of informal coercion, allowing it to manage public sentiment for both domestic legitimacy and foreign policy goals. Patriotic consumer mobilization employs citizens as the […]
Ambition, or “the heart for moving upward and forward” (shangjinxin), is widely regarded as an unquestionable virtue in China. This perception of ambition, however, is relatively new for non-elite Chinese. In the talk, Xiang Biao will examine why the desire for self-improvement is causing widespread feelings of powerlessness in China, especially among youths. Underlying the […]
The Third Plenum usually sets the tone for China’s economic policies for the following five years. The high-ranking meeting should have taken place in November 2023, but was postponed several times for unknown reasons. As of now the plenum is set to take place in July. Since shortly after the end of the zero Covid […]
Chinese and African leaders will gather in Beijing during the first week of September for the triennial Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit. This year's event comes at a pivotal time for stakeholders on all sides, amid heightened great power competition, China's slowing economy, and intense challenges brought on by climate change, among other issues. […]
What happens when China becomes the established, stable, dominant power in Eurasia? Australia's former ambassador to China Geoff Raby takes the reader on a journey across Eurasia to understand the forces shaping its geopolitics. The analysis is enriched by Raby's own travel stories, experiences and adventures into the fabric of his narrative. Great Game On is the […]
The FCCC's Summer Party returns to the Polish embassy - and this year we have access to the outdoor pool! You can expect BBQ (veggie options included), ice cream, drinks, music and a magician. Bring your swimming gear and invite your nearest and dearest. Children are most welcome. September 18th midnight: Ticketing ends. No refunds […]
In 1971, Americans made two historic visits to China that would transform relations between the two countries. One was by US official Henry Kissinger; the other, earlier, visit was by the US table tennis team. Historians have pored over the transcripts of Kissinger's negotiations with Chinese leaders. However, they have overlooked how, alongside these diplomatic […]
Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party will elect its new leader on September 27. This leader will become the Prime Minister and will likely call for an early election of the lower house of the legislature. With the largest opposition party also holding its leadership race, Japan's politics is entering a period of significant change. Who […]
Guitarist from legendary band Tang Dynasty and cultural observer, Kaiser Kuo unpacks the impact of music on China’s youth. How did Beijing become a rock city? How has guitar music become the soundtrack of a culture in transition? And what is going on with the rock scene today? Known for his writing on all things […]
Pope Francis’ visit to Asia last month marks his second trip to the region in barely two years. A growing attention that points, at least partially, at China and the ties between The Vatican and the CCP. With their historic agreement up for renewal this October, Dr. Michel Chambon will help us better understand the […]
This month, Russian President Vladimir Putin will host the first-ever summit of BRICS+ from October 22 to 24 in Kazan. With the addition of new members the BRIC group will be more globally representative - but also face more internal divisions. Together with Eva Seiwert, expert on Chinese foreign policy, we will unpack the upcoming […]
