Research Briefs
Exploring the world of China’s global impact. Expert contributions on China’s global spatialities add depth to a growing understanding of China’s impact on the world.
‘Germany’s China City’: Iron Silk Road Terminal of Duisburg
For about ten years, hardly any other European city has been conferred as much attention in Chinese media, political and business circles as the city of Duisburg. A report in the Financial Times of April 8, 2019, in which the correspondent reports with amazement on a peculiar map at Shanghai Pudong Airport, has become famous.
China Planet: Ecological Civilization and Global Climate Governance
A growing number of Western environmentalists have speculated that China’s quest for “ecological civilization” may yet save the planet from catastrophe. The ecological civilization formulation, endorsed by China’s top leadership and enshrined since 2012 in the Communist Party Constitution, promises material prosperity, social harmony, and a new vision for a green, China-inspired future. Indeed, as
China’s Digital Footprint Grows in the Middle East & North Africa
China’s Digital Silk Road is rewiring the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in ways that promise to reshape the economies, politics, and societies of countries across the region. In some ways, it already has. Since Xi Jinping ascended to power in 2012, the country has been throwing its policy weight behind everything from basic
Can China Lead Global AI Governance?
Why AI Governance? The rapid development of AI has created a series of governance challenges that need to be tackled. To start with, the development of AI is going to transform future employment and workforce. It is estimated that up to 100 million Chinese will face employment change by 2030, making China the most affected
Is China Really in the Driver’s Seat for BRI Projects in Africa?
The Chinese government defines the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in functional terms, supporting any international project with ‘potential’ to become part of the BRI. There is no concrete definition of what kind of cooperative engagement there should be, leading to many possibilities and encouraging interested stakeholders worldwide to justify how their projects can be
China’s 16+1 Format in Crisis – Not Yet an Obituary
The 16+1 format was created shortly before the start of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to deepen the relations with Central Eastern and Southeastern Europe. In order to do so, in the years before high-ranking Chinese politicians, including then Vice-President Xi Jinping, traveled to various Central Eastern European countries. Since the launch of the BRI,