E-CKN Roundtable: How resilient is China? Political and economic vulnerabilities in a fractured geopolitical climate

The European China Knowledge Network (E-CKN) and Bruegel will hold a closed-door roundtable event “How resilient is China? Managing political and economic vulnerabilities in a fractured geopolitical environment,” on May 18, 15:30-17:00 at Bruegel, Rue de la Charité 33, 1210 Brussels.

China continues to project confidence, despite heightened geopolitical contest, a fragmenting global economy and increased domestic stress. However, slowing momentum in parts of the economy, low sentiment among households and private businesses, and rising discontent about youth unemployment, begin to underminde the Communist Party's confident narrative. High-profile anti-corruption drives and shake-ups among senior officials, as well as turmoil in the PLA, indicate internal political tensions. These developments raise questions about the level of institutional resilience in China.

In this closed-door discussion, we will examine China's resilience, focusing on political signals, economic pressures, and elite dynamics, and explore how this might impact China’s foreign policy, including implications for the European Union.

The speakers will be:

• Alicia García-Herrero, Senior Fellow, Bruegel
• Björn Jerdén, Director, Swedish National China Centre (Moderator)
• Katja Drinhausen, Head of Politics & Society Program, MERICS
• Sense Hofstede, Research Associate, Clingendael

This event is by invitation only.

E-CKN is an initiative by the German Mercator Institute for China Studies, the Dutch China Knowledge Network and the Swedish National China Centre at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs. E-CKN partners with key Brussels-based organizations and other (cross-)national efforts to expand and connect China expertise across Europe.