MERICS
@merics.bsky.social
The Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS) is a European research and analysis institute established in 2013.
An analysis of customs data shows that Europe still has real collective clout when it comes to managing its trade relations with China. But Andreas Mischer warns Chinese dependencies on imports from the region are falling steadily. merics.org/en/comment/i...
As structural imbalances intensify, domestic woes dampen China’s economic growth, write Alexander Brown and Andreas Mischer. You can read more in a free excerpt from the Q2 edition of MERICS China Economic Indicators here: merics.org/en/tracker/c...
Despite sky-high ambitions, China was a no-show at the 2026 World Cup tournament. In a new comment piece, MERICS Senior Associate Fellow Andrew Scobell explores the reasons behind China’s lack of success in international football. merics.org/en/comment/w...
Why is China a football World Cup no-show?
Despite sky-high ambitions, China was a no-show at the 2026 World Cup tournament and has only once qualified for the world’s premier football festival, says Andrew Scobell. With the World Cup just con...
merics.org
In a new edition of MERICS Data Insights, MERICS Visiting Fellow Esther Goreichy looks at Chinese exports of high-end goods to the European Union. She finds that prices do not keep pace with the increased value of exports. merics.org/en/comment/m...
There are three urgent reasons why the EU must tackle China’s destabilizing economic imbalances sooner rather than later. Delaying action until 2027 is not an option, says @grzegorzstec.bsky.social: merics.org/en/comment/e...
The EU must confront China’s trade challenge
There are three urgent reasons why the EU must tackle China’s destabilizing economic imbalances sooner rather than later. Delaying action until 2027 is not an option, says Grzegorz Stec.The clock is t...
merics.org
News from the MERICS team: Sophia Pradels joined our Economy and Industry team last month. Her research focuses on China’s macroeconomic development, industrial policy and foreign trade. We are happy to have you on board, Sophia! merics.org/en/team/soph...
The 2026 report of the European Think-tank network on China is out! Experts from 22 European countries examine national approaches to dealing with China as a technological power and research partner. Read the report here: merics.org/en/report/fr...
Fragmented Europe: Dealing with China as a technology and innovation power
Edited by: Bernhard Bartsch, Claudia WesslingPeer reviewers: Andreas B. Forsby, Nick Nieschalke, John Seaman, Tamás Matura, Francesca Maremonti, Aurelio Insisa, Matej Šimalčík, Filip Šebok, Anastas Va...
merics.org
Russia’s renewed standing in northeast Asia and continued US strength in the region have encouraged Beijing to set aside reservations about its only official ally North Korea, says MERICS Senior Associate Fellow Andrew Scobell. Read more in his new comment piece: merics.org/en/comment/x...
Xi visits Pyongyang and China rehabilitates North Korea
Russia’s renewed standing in northeast Asia and continued US strength in the region have encouraged Beijing to set aside reservations about its only official ally, says Andrew Scobell.Xi Jinping’s Jun...
merics.org
Growing global fragmentation and volatility accelerated by the Trump administration’s policies are translating into a more complicated risk environment for Europe. In the new MERICS Security & Risk Tracker, we provide an update on of some of the 2026 top China risks: merics.org/en/tracker/m...
In a new edition of MERICS Data Insights, MERICS Visiting Fellow Esther Goreichy looks at the European Union's trade deficit with China. She finds that the deficit is widening despite the bloc's trade defense measures. merics.org/en/comment/m...
The new MERICS China Essentials is out! This time, we cover China's new outbound investment protections, expanded export controls, Xi's visit to Pyongyang and hukou reforms. With contributions from Sophia Pradels, Jeroen Groenewegen-Lau, Aurelio Insisa and Alexander Davey. merics.org/en/merics-br...
Outbound investment protections + Expanded export controls + Xi in Pyongyang
Top Story China challenges EU de-risking by boosting outbound investment protections Beijing has taken steps to better protect Chinese overseas investments and deter foreign governments from imposing ...
merics.org
We are delighted that Laura Seifert joined the MERICS team as Senior Project Manager. A warm welcome to the team, Laura! merics.org/en/team/laur...
How does Russian propaganda shape Chinese debates on Ukraine? MERICS Senior Associate Fellow Yurii Poita sees Beijing tolerating or even encouraging toxic discourse to undermine the moral and political authority of the Ukrainian government and its Western supporters: merics.org/en/comment/r...
Russian propaganda abounds in Chinese social media debate on Ukraine
This series looks at how China debates the issues the country faces at home and abroad. Covering domestic policy, social change, technology, geopolitics and economics and focusing mainly on expert deb...
merics.org
We are very happy to announce that Aurelio Insisa joined MERICS as a Senior Analyst in the foreign relations program. Aurelio’s research focuses on China’s foreign policy and economic statecraft. It’s great to have you on board, Aurelio! merics.org/en/team/aure...
As the EU-China trade deficit continued to grow in Q1 2026, a traditionally strong sector is now also affected by the general trend: EU agri-food exports. In the latest SOAPBOX newsletter, MERCIS Senior Associate Fellow Rafael Jimenez Buendia zooms in on the topic: open.substack.com/pub/soapboxt...
🎙️In a new episode of “China in 26,” Bernhard Bartsch, @mikkohuotari.bsky.social and Claudia Wessling discuss the outcomes of Xi's meetings with Trump and Putin; China’s economic data for April and the mood among German companies in China; and Chinese investment in Europe: merics.org/en/podcast/c...
China in 26: Diplomatic strength, economic weakness, investment increase
Bernhard Bartsch, Mikko Huotari und Claudia Wessling sprechen über die Treffen von Xi Jinping mit Donald Trump sowie Wladimir Putin in Beijing.
merics.org
🌐Together with @merics.bsky.social, @sceeus-ui.bsky.social we look at key domains of China🇨🇳Russia🇷🇺 relations to better understand their special relationship. 🔵 These are 3 data-driven trends to watch for more insight into China-Russia relations ⤵️ 🎬https://youtu.be/fnQlBcappm8
Understanding Russia-China relations in 3 key trends.
YouTube video by Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW)
youtu.be
The EU is sharpening its industrial policy playbook with a new Industrial Accelerator Act, presented last month. MERICS Visiting Fellow Esther Goreichy analyzes the current proposal in a new issue of MERICS China 360°. Read more: merics.org/en/merics-br...
EU Industrial Accelerator Act + Critical materials + Platform exports
ANALYSIS The EU's Industrial Accelerator Act won't stave off China's unfair trade practices By Esther GoreichyThe EU is sharpening its industrial policy playbook with a new Industrial Accelerator Act ...
merics.org
The 2026 MERICS European China Talent Program (ECTP) is open for applications until April 5! Taking place September 22-25 in Berlin, it will offer unique training and mentorship, deepening participants’ understanding of China and its global impact. Learn more and apply: merics.org/en/call-appl...
The 2026 MERICS European China Talent Program (ECTP) is open for applications! Taking place September 22-25 in Berlin, it will offer unique training and mentorship, deepening participants’ understanding of China and its global impact. Find out more and apply: merics.org/en/call-appl...
The National People’s Congress is expected to upgrade China’s climate objectives when it signs off on the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan, however the energy transition remains a challenge for the CCP, writes MERICS Analyst Johanna Krebs in her latest comment piece: merics.org/en/comment/c...
As the National People’s Congress convenes today, attention is turning to the draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan for 2026 to 2030. MERICS has updated its calendar of party and state meetings to help track the priorities taking shape ahead of the next planning cycle: merics.org/en/comment/f...
Beijing looks set to once again declare boosting domestic consumption a top economic priority in its upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan, however Chinese households have so far seen little benefit, writes MERICS Alexander Brown in his latest comment piece, which you can read here merics.org/en/comment/c...
Beijing looks set to declare boosting domestic consumption a top economic priority in its upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan, however Chinese households have so far seen little benefit, writes MERICS Senior Analyst Alexander Brown in his latest comment piece. Read here: merics.org/en/comment/c...
The 2026 MERICS European China Talent Program (ECTP) is open for applications! Taking place September 22-25 in Berlin, it will offer unique training and mentorship, deepening participants’ understanding of China and its global impact. Apply by April 5: merics.org/en/call-appl...
The US National Security Strategy of November 2025 and National Defense Strategy of January 2026 have created openings for challengers outside of the Western Hemisphere, arguably giving China space to pursue regional hegemony in Asia, argues @claussoong.bsky.social. merics.org/en/comment/c...
Many countries launched new trade defence measures in 2025, but China’s exports just keep growing. In a new comment, Jacob Gunter and @claussoong.bsky.social argue that US protectionism and tariffs have weakened the global push to curb Chinese exports. merics.org/en/comment/m...
In a new comment piece, Daria Impiombato and @helenalegarda.bsky.social assess the recent purges in China’s military. They argue that the most unusual aspect of the latest purges is not so much who was taken down, but rather the speed and timing: merics.org/en/comment/u...
MERICS wishes you a happy Chinese New Year of the Fire Horse! As China researchers, we stay true to our mission of getting China right in a rapidly shifting global context – and let ourselves be inspired by the energetic character of the fire horse. merics.org/en/merics-wi...
“[European] leaders must consider what actions are necessary to protect critical European interests that should be taken in response to China’s ongoing behavior irrespective of what the US is up to,” argues Jacob Gunter in his new comment piece: merics.org/en/comment/d...
Defeatist Europe is set for growing dependence on China without decisive action
Europe's executives and politicians need to recognize that only huge financial and geopolitical sacrifices today will save the region from greater pain tomorrow, says Jacob Gunter.European trouble wit...
merics.org