This episode kicks off our new collaboration series with the Dutch China Knowledge Network (CKN) – a unique platform created to connect China experts and policymakers, and to strengthen understanding of China within the Dutch government and beyond. Funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and managed jointly with leading think tanks such as the Clingendael Institute and the LeidenAsiaCentre, CKN brings together academia, policy experts, and researchers !

We dive into CKN’s mission and how it helps:

- Broaden the perspective on Dutch–EU–China relations,

- Bridge the gap between the Dutch government and the Dutch China expert community,

- Build awareness on China by informing and increasing knowledge within European policy circles.

Our guests Mark Moquette and Simon van Oortmerssen from CKN explain how the network works in practice and what the EU can learn from this approach.

Hosted by Imogen Parsley, Vice-Head of the European Guanxi Podcast.

To learn more about CKN, go to https://www.chinakennisnetwerk.nl/

For over a year, Oxford PhD candidate Teresa Irigoyen-Lopez lived in Qingtian (青田), a small county in southern Zhejiang with unusually strong ties to Europe. Her ethnographic research on return migration offers a rare window into how people navigate life between two regions that are deeply connected.

Learn about their search for a unique sense of identity and the challenges of returning to a China that has transformed dramatically from the one they once knew.

How is Southeast Asia navigating the age of automation and great power competition?

In this episode of the European Guanxi Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Brian Wong, HKU-100 Assistant Professor at the University of Hong Kong, to explore how Southeast Asia is developing in an era of rapid technological change and intensifying geopolitical rivalry.

Moving beyond traditional export-led manufacturing models, rethinking trade partnerships with the EU, and managing the pressures of Sino-American strategic competition, we unpack how Southeast Asia is shaping its future while striving for growth and strategic autonomy.

What happens when the world’s most ambitious infrastructure initiative hits geopolitical headwinds, green scrutiny, and digital competition?

In this episode of the European Guanxi Podcast, host Shristi More sits down with Keren Zhu —Assistant Professor of Political Science at Davidson College and co-host of the Belt and Road Podcast — to unpack how China’s Belt and Road Initiative is transforming in 2025. From shifting strategies and rising tech tensions to green pledges and South–South partnerships, this is a timely conversation on power, perception, and the global race for connectivity.

Is the BRI evolving or unraveling? And where does Europe stand in this recalibrated global map? Tune in for sharp insights and honest reflections.

Few of the Papers by Dr. Keren Zhu to reflect upon :

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=uyRvY8kAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=sra

https://thepeoplesmap.net/globalchinapulse/a-decade-of-environmental-change/

https://www.newsecuritybeat.org/2023/10/chinese-rail-exports-environmental-dilemma-economic-gains-green-2/

https://www.rand.org/pubs/working_papers/WR1338.html

This episode was hosted by Shristi More

Ever felt like you only know one side of China?

Join us as Simone Pieranni, journalist and founder of China Files, peels back the layers—sharing what it meant to live, report, and observe a changing China from within. From the quiet rhythms of daily life to the undercurrents of censorship and youth discontent, this episode offers a rare, human portrait of a nation in transition.

Step beyond the headlines.

Why is Shangri-La Dialogue Asia’s most crucial defense summit?

In this compelling episode of the European Guanxi Podcast, we unpack the Indo-Pacific’s rising strategic tensions with renowned Indo-Pacific and China expert, Philippe Le Corre. As a private forum for conversation and dialogue, Shangri-La Dialogue is both a space for de-escalation but also strategic posturing. 

As U.S-China competition intensifies, ASEAN countries balance fragility with ambition, and Europe eyes a new role in the region’s future, tune in with us for a fresh take on the forces reshaping the Indo-Pacific order.

Big Questions. Fresh takes. Expert perspectives.

This episode was hosted by Alixia Brule.  

What does fortitude (韧) look like in an era defined by war, climate upheaval, and rapid tech shifts?

Recorded in Lingshui, Hainan, this special episode captures the energy of more than 100 global delegates — from China to Mozambique — as they explore resilience through the lens of international relations, AI, ecology, culture, and youth leadership.

Can AI foster peace? How do young voices cut through the noise? And what role does China’s cultural influence play on the world stage?

Fresh takes. Big questions. Unfiltered reflections.

Press play and redefine what fortitude means to you.

This episode was hosted by Dounia Al Jijkli

Is the EU going green—or just getting strategic? In this fiery episode, Irina Patrahau (Strategic Analyst & Chair, Energy Security & Critical Minerals, HCSS) and Erlend Ek (Research Strategy & Energy Lead, China Policy) break down Europe’s latest climate moves, China’s clapbacks, and why the race for lithium and rare earths is heating up fast.

We’re talking:⚡️ CRMA vs China’s mineral grip
🌍 CBAM—climate tool or trade weapon?
🚗 Trade wars, EV slowdowns & green protectionism
🤝 Can climate cooperation survive the geopolitics?

Big questions, bold takes, and a global tug-of-war over the green future— Is seen as a "Burden" or an "Opportunity". Tune in for a ride through policy, power, and planetary priorities.

This episode was hosted by Shristi More

China is more than just its mega-cities. In this episode, we join Clémentine Pippa Ebel—trail runner, researcher, and China strategist—on a journey through second, third, and fourth-tier cities. From the lively streets of Shenyang and the entrepreneurial spirit of Northern Guangdong to the shifting traditions of Meizhou and the vanishing villages of Guangdong, discover the heart of local China through stories you won’t find in mainstream headlines.

Do make sure to check Pippa's LinkedIn profile to learn more about her stories: linkedin.com/in/clementine-pippa-ebel

This episode was hosted by Xaver Haack

China’s rise is reshaping global power, and nowhere is this more evident than in its approach to Taiwan. In this episode, we sit down with renowned China expert Frans-Paul van der Putten to unravel the deep historical roots of China’s ambitions, the shifting geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific, and what his upcoming book, China Resurrected, reveals about the future. From colonial legacies to modern power struggles, we explore how history fuels today’s policies—and why the world should pay attention. Tune in for an insightful, thought-provoking conversation that challenges conventional narratives.

The China Resurrected, e-book will be out on 12th June 2025, and the hard copy version on 10th July 2025. Do make sure to mark the dates.

This podcast was hosted by Shiqing and Xaver .