A cargo ship loaded with foreign trade containers departed from Qingdao Port in Qingdao City, Shandong Province, China on January 20, 2026.
Industrial Policy and Technology
Trade and Investment

MERICS Economic Indicators Q4/2025: China’s strong exports offset domestic weaknesses

The MERICS Economic Indicators analyse China’s economy on a quarterly basis. Our research team on China's economy and industry provides updates on the latest macroeconomic trends and their impact on Europe. The findings are explained with interactive charts and concise texts. In-depth analyses offer expert views on key developments.

 

Explore the indicators
Topics

Topics

“Trump's actions in Venezuela enable China to position itself as a defender of the UN Charter and international law – in contrast to Washington.”

Süddeutsche Zeitung
EU-China
Meet our Experts
Jacob Gunter

Jacob Gunter
Head of Program

China's political economy; Industrial policy; Innovation

HelenaLegarda

Helena Legarda
Head of Program

China’s defense and security policies; Chinese foreign policy, geopolitical competition and risk

KatjaDrinhausen

Katja Drinhausen
Head of Program

China’s legal and governance system; social credit system; human rights

Antonia Hmaidi

Antonia Hmaidi
Senior Analyst

Geopolitics of technology; semiconductors; data science; hacking

Daria Impiombato

Daria Impiombato
Senior Analyst

Elite politics and party-state structures; domestic security and societal resilience; PRC strategic communication and information operations

NisGrünberg

Nis Grünberg
Lead Analyst

State-party relations; elite politics; China’s sustainable development

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping (from right to left) during a meeting ceremony in the Kremlin.
Russia-China

The China-Russia Dashboard

The China-Russia Dashboard monitors the economic, political, security, and societal dimensions of China-Russia relations and their changing quality over time. The results are presented in interactive graphics and analyses.

Explore the dashboard
Calendar of key party and state meetings

Party-state meetings give us a different perspective than economic figures; they paint a general picture of the internal landscape based on how much emphasis continues to be on industry, innovation and high-tech and how far reforms on socio-economic issues are developing (or not). Dig deeper to contextualize and better understand how Beijing makes policy decisions and see where the country might be headed. Check out our calendar of party-state meetings. 

Read more

CCP Calendar of key party and state meetings
Think Tank Toolbox

Check out our Think Tank Lab Toolbox - it is a learning resource for all think tankers aiming to enhance their skills and learn about the latest developments in think tanking practice. It offers useful material for different think tank departments, from analysis, communications to HR management. 

Learn more

ttlab_logo_toolbox
Become a member and benefit from our independent research and advice on China

As a member, you can rely on us to deepen your organization’s China expertise and to help you with the most critical strategic decisions concerning China. Members gain privileged access to research products and events as well as tailored oral and written briefings.

More information

Membership-Chat