Happy new year of the tiger!

The year 2022 will see several major events, both international and in China, that will set strategies and policies that might shape China and its international relations for years to come.

The Lunar New Year will set off busy with the Beijing Winter Olympics being held at the same time early February. All the while China is struggling to control a growing number of Covid-19 outbreaks, putting both these events under tight restrictions.

In March, the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) will meet to begin preparations for the all-important 20th Party Congress in November, when General Secretary Xi Jinping intends to extend his rule and political agenda.

These domestic events come against a tense international backdrop, where many countries and international organizations are revaluating their position towards China. The US National Defense Strategy 2022 is due early this year and is already set to have a strong focus on China. Later in June, NATO will adopt its new Strategic Concept for the next ten years.

2021 was a difficult year for EU-China relations, and 2022 doesn’t seem to be much different. China’s unprecedented economic pressure on Lithuania is putting the EU’s China policy to the test, and human rights issues continue to deteriorate relations, as the EU sanctions against China reach their one-year anniversary in March. At the same time, coordination within the EU is more challenging than usual as France will be holding presidential elections in April and Germany’s new government is still settling in. On the lighter side of things, we will see the 50-year anniversary of German Chinese relations this October. 

We are excited to continue to provide you with comprehensive analysis of China’s global footprint, domestic politics, economy, technology and innovation and society in 2022. Please stay in touch and stay healthy.  

The MERICS team wishes you a happy and healthy Year of the Tiger!