Events

Mingran Cao will present findings from his recent fieldwork in Yancheng, a coastal city in Jiangsu province that has undergone a remarkable transformation—from a heavy reliance on the chemical industry to becoming a leader in renewable energy development. This event will be of particular interest to those working in energy, sustainability, industrial policy, and international economic development.

The development of the law of the sea in the second half of the 20th century – and in particular the extension of coastal State jurisdiction beyond the territorial sea through the regimes of the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf – has radically transformed the geopolitics of the ocean.

The internationalization of the Renminbi (RMB) is a long-term project that has evolved gradually through a series of policy initiatives, infrastructure developments, and external shocks over the past few decades. The research was implemented under the purview of the LeidenAsiaCentre and commissioned by the China Knowledge Network of the Government of the Netherlands. Conclusions and opinions are solely those of the authors.

Digital technologies are fundamentally reshaping how consumers interact with products. From smart vehicles equipped with advanced driver assistance systems to the rapid growth of consumer drone markets, connectivity and data are now at the core of modern product design and functionality.

2024 was a period characterized by uncertainty, a word frequently used in this report indeed. However, with the geopolitical changes ongoing since early 2025, we may consider uncertainty as an understatement. We are currently experiencing what seems to be a serious make-over of the rules-based international order, as we’ve known it for decades. Perspectives are changing even more than expected.

The European Union and its member states face growing vulnerabilities due to economic dependencies on China, particularly in health, defence, and energy. As China increasingly employs economic statecraft tactics—using economic tools to exert geopolitical influence—the EU must find ways to safeguard its vital sectors.

The report examines three different areas: 1. Working conditions for Dutch journalists in China. 2. China’s influence and interference in Dutch-language media. 3. China’s influence and interference in Chinese-language media in the Netherlands. Researchers Bouwers and Kamerling interviewed dozens of (former) Dutch correspondents, news editors, and employees of Chinese-language media in the Netherlands about the extent to which they experience China’s attempts to influence and interfere in their work.

This CKN Knowledge Session is the first of a two part series about China and the West’s mutual knowledge and understanding. This first part delves into a critical topic that reveals the challenges the outside world faces in gaining an accurate understanding of China. The central question we'll explore is: If the image of China is incomplete or inaccurate, is it still possible to formulate sound China policy?

China in Africa - Confronting Complexity This themed session focuses on China in Africa, but the scope is broader. This session is intended as a context-setting meeting, providing a basis for policy-making in a later discussion. China's approach to Africa—and Africa’s response combined with Africa’s increasing political agency in its relationship with Europe (more broadly: the West)—says much about the shifting dynamics in the world. It is therefore essential to address the theme of ‘China in Africa’ in a broader context, one that centers on this complexity and encourages us to honestly reflect. The world is in flux. Russia and China are increasingly challenging Western approaches in other parts of the world, sometimes successfully in Africa. Meanwhile, the Netherlands is significantly cutting its development aid budget.

The China Knowledge Network hosted an insightful discussion led by esteemed speakers Prof.dr. Christian Goebel of University of Vienna and Leiden University’s Ass.prof.dr. Carwyn Morris.

“To understand Xi Jinping Thought on foreign policy, we need to address three key questions: What are Xi’s ambitions for China globally? How does he see China’s place in the world? What guidelines has he set for Chinese foreign policy?”

Presentation by Frank Pieke and Bert Hofman about their research report Dealing with Decoupling from China: Business strategies in a changing world