Times are changing: What China policy should the new German government pursue?

Topic

The new German government is faced with the task of strategically realigning its China policy - in the midst of global power shifts, growing systemic rivalry and economic interdependence. Against the backdrop of security, trade and value policy tensions, the question arises as to what role China should play in German foreign trade policy in the future - and which political instruments are appropriate for this. It is important to redefine the balance between economic cooperation and geopolitical resilience. How can German interests be safeguarded in an increasingly multipolar world order without reinforcing existing dependencies? What role does European China policy play in this context - and how can a strategic approach to risks be shaped without squandering opportunities for cooperation? What impact do these considerations have on key policy areas such as trade, technology, climate protection and human rights? 

Program

The event consists of different impulse lectures followed by a discussion.  

The Global China Conversation #41 will be held in German.

Bernd Lange 

Bernd Lange (1955, Oldenburg, Germany) is the Chair of the INTA committee. He served as an MEP from 1994 to 2004 and re-joined the Parliament in 2009. He also became Chair of the Conference of Committee Chairs in 2022, which is the governing body of the European Parliament that coordinates the work of the committees and ensures their smooth cooperation. He graduated from University of Göttingen in 1981, where he studied theology and political sciences. Before serving his first term at the European Parliament, he worked as a teacher for eleven years. He is a member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany, as well as a member of the steelworkers union (IG Metall). Lange has two children and lives in the region of Hannover. In honour of his political work, he received the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2001. Chairman Lange is committed to a trade policy that is founded on universal values and puts the interests of all people and sustainability at its heart. In his view trade should be used as a tool   to improve peoples’ livelihoods. He is a committed multilateralist. He is one of the driving forces behind the greater emphasis on labour and climate issues in trade agreements. In addition, he is a champion of sustainability laws and strives to ensure that these are feasible and drawn up in partnership.

Jürgen Matthes

Jürgen Matthes is head of the Research Unit International Economic Order and Business Cycle of the German Economic Institute, Cologne. He studied economics at the Technical University of Dortmund and Dublin City University. His research focuses on the economic aspects of globalization.  

Andreas Fuchs 

Andreas Fuchs is a Professor of Developmental Economics, Director of the Centre for Modern East Asian Studies at the University of Göttingen, and Director of the Kiel Institute China Initiative. His research analyzes trade, investment and development policies with quantitative methods and a special focus on China and other emerging economies. He also investigates the political economy of natural disasters, humanitarian crises, and non-militarized conflicts.