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Abstract

EU-China ties have been strained in the last few years with ‘systemic rivalry’ becoming the defining prism of the relationship in the context of COVID-19 pandemic, US-China trade war, and closeness between Russia and China. Especially since the war in Ukraine, the EU and the United States have moved closer on tougher policies towards Beijing. China’s purported position of neutrality is being seen as tacit support of Russia and the joint statement inked by Putin and Xi which contained a joint critique of NATO raised many eyebrows. There can now be seen a new found sense of leadership in Brussels after using its economic muscles through sanctions and provision of military aid to Ukraine. Moving away from classical diplomatic language, the EU is taking a tougher stance on China even as the considerable economic and trade relations continue. In this context, this seminar will examine the evolving EU-China relations and the impact of the Ukraine crisis on redefining the transatlantic stance on China.

About the Speakers

Noah Barkin is Managing Editor in the China practice at Rhodium Group and Visiting Senior Fellow in the Asia Program of the German Marshall Fund, for whom he writes the popular "Watching China in Europe" newsletter. Based in Berlin, his research focuses on Europe's relationship with China, transatlantic China policy and emerging technologies. Previously, he worked as a bureau chief, regional editor and European correspondent for Reuters. His work has also appeared in The Atlantic, The New York Times, Foreign Policy and Politico. Noah holds a Bachelor's degree from U.C. Berkeley and a Master's degree from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs.

Gudrun Wacker is currently Senior Fellow in the Asia Division at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, SWP) in Berlin, a think tank providing political advice to the German government and parliament. Her research focuses on Chinese foreign and security policy, especially EU-China relations, China and the Asia-Pacific region, security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific and the Indo-Pacific. She is currently an EU delegate to the Experts and Eminent Persons Group of the ASEAN Regional Forum.

Arun K. Singh has served as the Indian ambassador to the US, Israel, and France. Throughout his distinguished 37-year career in the Indian Foreign Service, he has served during pivotal periods in key global capitals. He was involved in shaping India’s policies – notably the continued progress in the US-India relationship, India’s ties to Israel, and the formulation and implementation of India’s policies related to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran, in the period following 9/11. Ambassador Singh is a Distinguished Non-Resident Senior Fellow in the Asia Programme at the German Marshall Fund. In 2017, he taught courses on US foreign policy in South Asia and current global trends and challenges at both American University and the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University. He was also a Distinguished Visiting Professor at Emory University and Centre for Advanced Study of India at the University of Pennsylvania. Ambassador Singh holds a Master's Degree in Economics from Delhi University, where he specialized in econometrics, development policy, macroeconomics, and Indian economic history.

About the Chair

Ashok K. Kantha has been the Director of the Institute of Chinese Studies since 2017. A career diplomat, Kantha was Ambassador of India to China until January 2016. Prior to this, he was Secretary (East) at the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, with responsibility for about 65 countries in India’s extended neighbourhood. His previous assignments include High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka and Malaysia, Consul General in Hong Kong, Deputy Chief of Mission in Kathmandu (Nepal), and Joint Secretary (East Asia) in the Ministry of External Affairs. Earlier, Kantha served in different capacities at Indian Missions in Singapore, China and the USA, and at headquarters in New Delhi. In his diplomatic career spanning over 38 years, Kantha specialized in Asian affairs, with a particular focus on China.