Category: Clingendael

New video: Why China does not want Russia to lose in Ukraine

How can we assess China’s self-image as a peacemaker in the Russia-Ukraine war?

In this video, experts Kaspar Pucek (Clingendael Institute) and Patrik Andersson (Swedish National China Centre) answer a question by Ines Barkidija. They explain that China views the war through a geopolitical lens. Although China claims neutrality, its rhetoric and actions clearly lean toward Russia. For example, the Chinese government refers to a ‘Ukraine crisis’, but avoids calling it a war or a Russian invasion. Furthermore, high-level contact, trade, and dual-use exports between Russia and China increased,  as well as international cooperation. However, Beijing stops short of full military backing, and speaks out against nuclear escalation.

Watch the video here: Why China doesn’t want Russia to lose in Ukraine – YouTube

 

📺 This is the third video in the ‘Your China questions answered’ series. Watch the full series here: Your China Questions Answered – YouTube

‘Your China questions answered’ is a video series in which experts from the ReConnect China consortium answer questions from the public. With short, accessible videos, this series aims to increase public knowledge on China in Europe. The videos are made by the Clingendael Institute. The opinions expressed in the videos are those of the experts alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

‘Rebalancing EU-China relations in an age of global turmoil’ conference held in the Hague

ReConnect China Conference: Rebalancing EU-China relations in an age of global turmoil

On 9 October, the Clingendael Institute hosted the ReConnect China Conference in The Hague, titled ‘Rebalancing EU-China relations in an age of global turmoil’. The conference brought together more than 190 leading experts, policymakers and analysts to explore the future of Europe–China relations.

Panel discussions addressed themes such as rebalancing EU–China relations in an age of global turmoil, EU–China narratives, the green transition and clean tech, doing China research, and an interactive policy-scenario workshop. The Dutch China Knowledge Network also moderated a dedicated session on strengthening Europe’s China expertise.

The conference featured prominent speakers including Jorge Toledo, EU Ambassador to China; Joanna Szychowska, DG Trade European Commission, Dominic Porter, EEAS; Noah Barkin, Rhodium Group; Elena Suarez, Business Europe; Raoul Bunskoek, Clingendael Institute, Manya Koetse, What’s on Weibo; Miriam Tardell, Swedish National China Centre; and Finbarr Bermingham, South China Morning Post.

Source: EEAS

 

To check the livestream, see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUbLfcyNCgg

To find the full programme, see below and the following link: https://www.clingendael.org/event/reconnect-china-conference-2025

 

More about the conference:

In today’s shifting geopolitical landscape, the relationship between the European Union and China is marked by complexity and constant evolution. As the EU navigates its position on the global stage, a fundamental question arises: how should it engage with China? Should the EU update its three-part strategy of viewing China as a partner, a competitor, and systemic rival?

Amid accelerating global change, it is essential for the EU to recalibrate its external relations. This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic EU-China relations. As Von der Leyen stated in Davos 2025, “It is time to pursue a more balanced relationship with China”. What does this new balance mean for Europe, and how should we achieve it?

To explore these questions further, the Clingendael Institute organised the ReConnect China Conference 2025: Rebalancing EU-China Relations in an Age of Global Turmoil in collaboration with the ReConnect China consortium.

 

Programme

The plenary sessions was livestreamed on YouTube. The parallel sessions are closed.

09:00 – 09:15 | Welcome

09:15 – 10:30 | Introductory Panel ‘Rebalancing EU-China relations in an age of global turmoil’

  • Jorge Toledo, Ambassador European Union in China
  • Joanna Szychowska, Director, Asia (I), Services and Digital Trade, Investment and Intellectual Property, DG Trade European Commission
  • Elena Suarez, Senior Advisor BusinessEurope
  • Mario Esteban, Senior Fellow, Elcano Royal Institute
  • Moderator – Ties Dams, Senior Research Fellow, Clingendael Institute

10:30 – 10:45 | Coffee and tea break

 

10:45 – 12:15 | Breakout Sessions (NO LIVESTREAM)

Subpanel 1: China EU narratives (Past, Present and Future)

  • Ties Dams, Senior Research Fellow, Clingendael Institute
  • Ingrid D’Hooghe, Senior Research Fellow, Clingendael Institute
  • Aurelio Insisa, Senior Research Fellow, Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI)
  • Manya Koetse, Founder & Editor, What’s on Weibo

Subpanel 2: Clean Tech and the Energy Transition

  • Chen Gang, Senior Research Fellow, National University of Singapore
  • John Seaman, Research Fellow, IFRI
  • Hannah Lentschig, Research Fellow, Clingendael Institute
  • Han ten Broeke, Chief of Staff, Cabinet of EU Commissioner Hoekstra

12:15 – 13:15 | Lunch

 

13:15 – 14:30 | Plenary Session ‘How to strengthen European China Knowledge?’

  • Raoul Bunskoek, Senior Research Fellow, Clingendael Institute
  • Miriam Tardell, Head of Section, Swedish National China Centre
  • Marc Moquette, Knowledge Envoy, Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Grzegorz Stec, Head of Brussels Office/Senior Analyst, MERICS
  • Moderator – Floris Harm, Executive Director, Leiden Asia Centre

14:30 – 14:45 | Coffee and tea break

 

14:45 – 16:00 | Breakout Sessions (NO LIVESTREAM)

Subpanel 1: How to do Research on China in 2025?

  • Vincent Brussee, PhD Candidate, Leiden University
  • Sense Hofstede, Research Associate, Clingendael Institute
  • Laura de Giorgi, Professor in History of Modern and Contemporary China, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
  • Miriam Tardell, Head of Section, Swedish National China Centre
  • Christian Göbel, Professor of Modern China Studies, Universität Wien

Subpanel 2: Policy Scenario Workshop – EU-China Future

  • Chiara Schrader, Researcher, Clingendael Institute
  • Liam Klein, Research Fellow, Clingendael Institute

16:00 – 16:15 | Coffee and tea break

 

16:15 – 17:30 Closing Session ‘The Future of EU-China Relations’

  • Noah Barkin, Senior Advisor, Rhodium Group
  • Dominic Porter, Head of Division, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and Mongolia, European External Action Service (EEAS)
  • Xiaoxue Martin, Research Fellow, Clingendael Institute
  • Moderator – Finbarr Bermingham, Chief Europe Correspondent, South China Morning Post

17:30 | Network drinks

18:30 | End of conference

 

Announcing first keynote speakers and topics of the 2025 ReConnect China conference

We are happy to announce a first update on the forthcoming 2nd Europe-China Knowledge Forum (conference) hosted by our partner Clingendael Institute in The Hague, Netherlands. The conference takes place on October 9 and is jointly organised between the ReConnect China consortium, Clingendael Institute and the Dutch China Knowledge Network.

Under the title “Rebalancing EU-China Relations in an Age of Global Turmoil” we will discuss the EU’s relationship towards China in the light of recent developments and important milestones that have shaped it since the past few years.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic EU-China relations (in May our project already co-organised a high-level symposium to celebrate this anniversary). As European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen stated in January in Davos, “It is time to pursue a more balanced relationship with China” or as the President of the European Council, António Costa, stated in July during the EU-China summit in Beijing “We are committed to deepening our bilateral partnership and pursuing constructive and stable relations, anchored in respect for the rules-based international order, balanced engagement and reciprocity”

So what does this new balance mean for Europe, and how should we achieve it? And how can the EU ensure that the bilateral partnership aligns to rules-based international order and mutual benefit?

These and similar questions will be discussed during our conference, for which the following keynote speakers have already been confirmed.

  • EU Ambassador to China H.E. Jorge Toledo (digital)
  • Maria Martin-Prat, Deputy Director-General of the Directorate-General Trade at the European Commission
  • Dominic Porter, Head of Division, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and Mongolia, European External Action Service

Visit the Clingendael website for more information on the conference and further updates!

First edition of the Europe-China Table organised

Clingendael Institute hosted the first Europe-China Table in ReConnect China on April 18, 2023

In this roundtable, policymakers and researchers discussed how Europe should respond to China’s international narrative strategy. The ReConnect China project is aimed at upgrading independent knowledge on contemporary China in Europe and on strengthening connections between researchers and policymakers and other societal sectors. The discussion was held under the Chatham House Rule. To open the floor, Ties Dams, Research Fellow at Clingendael Institute, provided a discussion note as input for the Table. It can be found here: Discussion Note – Answering China’s Narrative Challenge – ReConnect.

Program

  Europe-China Table: Answering China’s Narrative Challenge to Europe

Closed online roundtable
11:00-11:05   Introduction

Moderator: Dr. Ingrid d’Hooghe, Coordinator Clingendael China Centre, Clingendael – the

Netherlands Institute of International Relations
11:05-11:20   Presentation Discussion Note

Ties Dams, Research Fellow, Clingendael – the Netherlands Institute of International

Relations
11:20-11:35   Reaction Discussants

Karin Mössenlechner, Director Asia and Oceania, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the

Netherlands

Dr. Chiyuki Aoi, Professor of International Security, University of Tokyo
11:35-12:30   Roundtable Discussion

Moderator: Dr. Ingrid d’Hooghe, Coordinator Clingendael China Centre, Clingendael – the

Netherlands Institute of International Relations

 

Discussion

The discussion evolved around three themes: the content, strengths and weaknesses of China’s narrative strategy, the European response, and ways forward regarding developing a European narrative. Participants noted that China has geared up its efforts to develop and disseminate Chinese narratives around the globe. In doing so China spends many resources, takes a systematic approach, and involves the whole of society. A weak spot that was mentioned, concerns the observation that China’s narratives are highly referential to Western ideas and notions. The question was raised whether the success of China’s narrative primarily stems from the attractiveness of the model that it proposes, or from its anti-Western rhetoric. Various participants pointed out that we may overestimate the success of China’s approach and that we need more empirical research on how people in different countries around the globe perceive and respond to Chinese narratives to get a better understanding of their effectiveness.

When debating Europe’s response many participants agreed that Europe has not yet been able to develop and disseminate a comprehensive and consistent narrative through persuasive storytelling, but that it urgently needs to do this. They mentioned various weaknesses in Europe’s approach such as lack of resources dedicated to this effort, lack of unity within the European institutions, and the fact that Europe does not use its aspirational values as a basis for its narrative. Others pointed out that Europe should and could be confident as it is a key contributor to peace and security, and international order and sustainable development.

Much time was devoted to discussing how Europe should move forward to effectively tell its own story to the world. It was repeated several times that Europe should be more confident about its own strengths and values, yet also humbler in the way it approaches other countries. Various speakers emphasized the importance of engaging with audiences around the world based on different country’s needs. Many agreed that Europe should have a better idea of what kind of view it wishes to present to the world. It was also argued that Europe should be less concerned about China’s narrative strategy as it remains to be seen to what extent it can be of value to third countries and the international community. Finally, it was concluded that changes to the European narrative strategy would come about through small steps rather than through large initiatives. In that sense, the Round Table on ‘Answering China’s Narrative Challenge to Europe’ can be seen as a good start.

 

Europe-China Table: Answering China’s Narrative Challenge to Europe

Clingendael organises the first policy roundtable within ReConnect China

On 18 April 2023, the Clingendael Institute is organizing an invitation-only, online Europe-China Table for European policymakers. It will discuss how to respond to the challenges China’s international narrative is posing to the European Union.

China has become a formidable player in the ‘global battle of narratives’, a battle that is of vital importance to geopolitical competition. Whereas China seems to be effective in selling its model and policies to many countries across the globe, in particular in the Global South, the EU is struggling to convince these countries that its liberal model has more to offer than autocratic regimes such as China. How should the EU and its member states respond to China’s narrative, and how can the EU better promote its own world view and policies?

We will answer this question with discussants Karin Mössenlechner, Director Asia & Oceania of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Dr. Chiyuki Aoi, Professor of International Security at the University of Tokyo. Ties Dams, Research Fellow at Clingendael – the Netherlands Institute of International Relations, will provide an input paper for the discussion, and the roundtable will be moderated by Dr. Ingrid d’Hooghe, Coordinator of the Clingendael China Centre.

The event will be held under the Chatham House Rule.