Periodic Reporting for period 2 - DWARC (Dealing with a Resurgent China)
Reporting period: 2023-11-01 to 2025-10-31
China is a top tier great power that is changing the world, and the EU needs to develop a long-term approach to engage strategically with the resurgent and increasingly assertive China. These changes include the process of selective ‘de-coupling’ and persistent US-China tension. In a speech in 2023, president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, introduced the concept of “de-risking” as guiding theme for Europe’s distinct approach to deal with China. Amidst escalating geopolitical tensions in 2025, this proves still very relevant.
To assist in further defining the European approach, this consortium brings together some of the best China researchers across seven EU member states to work in a synergetic way to build up a world class independent knowledge base on China in Europe. The members of the consortium engage in critical scientific research, nurture a generation of younger scholars and build up a collaborative network that endures.
The key subjects of research are society and culture, politics, economy and foreign policy. This consortium prioritised impact and dissemination for the EU, the corporate world, the media and the wider public across Europe. This project has provided data-driven insights available for EU policymakers and other stakeholders.
To assist in further defining the European approach, this consortium brings together some of the best China researchers across seven EU member states to work in a synergetic way to build up a world class independent knowledge base on China in Europe. The members of the consortium engage in critical scientific research, nurture a generation of younger scholars and build up a collaborative network that endures.
The key subjects of research are society and culture, politics, economy and foreign policy. This consortium prioritised impact and dissemination for the EU, the corporate world, the media and the wider public across Europe. This project has provided data-driven insights available for EU policymakers and other stakeholders.
In the second and third year, the consortium has implemented a many activities, including the delivery of publications, podcasts, open, and closed-door events for different target groups.
Among the main achievements are numerous policy briefs, as well as the elaboration and improvement of the databases that were already established in the first reporting period, providing hard to collect but critical information on contemporary China. In addition, opinion pools and foresight conferences supported identifying challenges for the future of EU-China relations.
Next to providing an enhanced knowledge base for the different target groups in the EU, the consortium has actively facilitated exchanges with policymakers on the EU, and national levels. The engagement included background briefings and closed door events in Brussels and Berlin.
The project pursued three overarching objectives: 1. Upgrade Europe’s independent knowledge on China, 2. Making recommendations to the European Commission and other European stakeholders, 3. Contribute to building a lasting network of China expertise in Europe. The progress towards the achievement of these objectives in the second reporting period and a summary of the project legacy is presented below. The progress towards the achievement of these objectives in the second reporting period are described in detail in the Technical report part B (narrative).
Among the main achievements are numerous policy briefs, as well as the elaboration and improvement of the databases that were already established in the first reporting period, providing hard to collect but critical information on contemporary China. In addition, opinion pools and foresight conferences supported identifying challenges for the future of EU-China relations.
Next to providing an enhanced knowledge base for the different target groups in the EU, the consortium has actively facilitated exchanges with policymakers on the EU, and national levels. The engagement included background briefings and closed door events in Brussels and Berlin.
The project pursued three overarching objectives: 1. Upgrade Europe’s independent knowledge on China, 2. Making recommendations to the European Commission and other European stakeholders, 3. Contribute to building a lasting network of China expertise in Europe. The progress towards the achievement of these objectives in the second reporting period and a summary of the project legacy is presented below. The progress towards the achievement of these objectives in the second reporting period are described in detail in the Technical report part B (narrative).
In the second reporting period, we achieved the following results were achieved:
- Improvement of key databases: we elaborated on the already established databases containing original data on Voices of China's Society (WP2), Chinese state and party documents (WP 3), Chinese economic data (WP 4), and China's global strategies (WP 5). These resources are accessible to all interested parties.
- Advancements in academic research: Each WP produced valuable academic articles that contributed to the existing knowledge within their respective fields. A majority of these articles is already published or passed peer review, while certain articles are currently going through the peer-review process. These journal articles created new knowledge, but also outline directions for further research.
- Informing policy makers and advisers: Through numerous events, policy briefs, and podcasts, the project has provided insights to policy makers and advisers of the EU and its member states, as well as the broader public. The project has resulted in significantly higher amount of project outputs than foreseen in the Grant Agreement, highlighting the relevance of the work and the productivity of the project partners. The objective was to enhance understanding of China's system, policies, development, and ambitions to aid decision-makers. The successfully conducted bilateral meetings with Deputy Director level policymakers in key European DGs illustrates that the independent knowledge produced in the project has been recognized by key policymakers.
- Supporting the business community: the independent knowledge created in the project has supported educating the business community to help them make informed decisions regarding business and investments. This was achieved through policy briefs and closed-door meetings, with a primary focus on business representatives (mainly within WP4).
- Media engagement, dissemination, and communication efforts: The project has reached a large amount of readers, listeners, event attendants, experts, and many others by implementing a dedicated Plan for Exploitation and Dissemination of Results (PEDR). In addition, Scholars working on the project engaged with a broad range of national and international media to provide information and context about significant developments in China and their implications, particularly concerning the EU, but also more broadly. Detailed information is provided as part of the Dissemination and Communication Activities.
- Website establishment: We continually improved and updated the DWARC webpage (https://chinahorizons.eu/(opens in new window)) that offers a comprehensive overview of project activities and provides access to project outputs, including policy briefs, databases, podcasts, webinars, and event information.
- We have engaged with the China Horizons Expert Network throughout project research, contributing to a European China expert community, and facilitated the establishment of the NextGen Network, led by young DWARCists, that aims to support young China researchers.
- Improvement of key databases: we elaborated on the already established databases containing original data on Voices of China's Society (WP2), Chinese state and party documents (WP 3), Chinese economic data (WP 4), and China's global strategies (WP 5). These resources are accessible to all interested parties.
- Advancements in academic research: Each WP produced valuable academic articles that contributed to the existing knowledge within their respective fields. A majority of these articles is already published or passed peer review, while certain articles are currently going through the peer-review process. These journal articles created new knowledge, but also outline directions for further research.
- Informing policy makers and advisers: Through numerous events, policy briefs, and podcasts, the project has provided insights to policy makers and advisers of the EU and its member states, as well as the broader public. The project has resulted in significantly higher amount of project outputs than foreseen in the Grant Agreement, highlighting the relevance of the work and the productivity of the project partners. The objective was to enhance understanding of China's system, policies, development, and ambitions to aid decision-makers. The successfully conducted bilateral meetings with Deputy Director level policymakers in key European DGs illustrates that the independent knowledge produced in the project has been recognized by key policymakers.
- Supporting the business community: the independent knowledge created in the project has supported educating the business community to help them make informed decisions regarding business and investments. This was achieved through policy briefs and closed-door meetings, with a primary focus on business representatives (mainly within WP4).
- Media engagement, dissemination, and communication efforts: The project has reached a large amount of readers, listeners, event attendants, experts, and many others by implementing a dedicated Plan for Exploitation and Dissemination of Results (PEDR). In addition, Scholars working on the project engaged with a broad range of national and international media to provide information and context about significant developments in China and their implications, particularly concerning the EU, but also more broadly. Detailed information is provided as part of the Dissemination and Communication Activities.
- Website establishment: We continually improved and updated the DWARC webpage (https://chinahorizons.eu/(opens in new window)) that offers a comprehensive overview of project activities and provides access to project outputs, including policy briefs, databases, podcasts, webinars, and event information.
- We have engaged with the China Horizons Expert Network throughout project research, contributing to a European China expert community, and facilitated the establishment of the NextGen Network, led by young DWARCists, that aims to support young China researchers.