Afleveringen
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China is leading the world in solar, wind, EVs, battery storage, and clean-tech manufacturing. It is also adding coal capacity at a massive scale. How does that even work?
In this episode of European Guanxi, Audrey Berder speaks with Belinda Schäpe from CREA about the real forces shaping China's energy transition; a story far more complex than conventional analysis suggests.
Some key points of often omitted in this story:
🏭 Provincial governments and state-owned enterprises pursuing overlapping policy objectives
📊 How emissions have actually started leveling off despite coal expansion
💰 Clean energy becoming a genuine economic growth driver, not just policy implementation
🚗 The explosive rise of EVs and electric trucks reshaping industrial capacity
🔌 Battery storage solving flexibility challenges the grid desperately needs
But here is what matters most: understanding China's transition means recognising the interplay of tensions and opportunities shaping energy markets globally.
The implications extend across trade, industrial competitiveness, Belt and Road, green exports, and carbon markets. Europe must engage thoughtfully with China's transition, considering both competitive and cooperative dimensions.
This is the China energy analysis the moment demands.
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Are we witnessing the slow erosion of dollar dominance?
For decades, the US dollar has been the undisputed backbone of the international financial system. Yet growing geopolitical tensions, sanctions, and shifting patterns of trade have posed a question once considered unthinkable: can the world reduce its dependence on the dollar?
In this episode, we explore China’s ambitious effort to internationalise the Renminbi, the realities behind the de-dollarisation debate, and whether the future monetary order will be defined by a single hegemon or a growing constellation of competing currencies.
Ariel Cardozo Calatrava hosts Marc Moquette and Simon van Oortmerssen from the China Knowledge Network once again, to unpack this complex interplay between political soft power and geoeconomics.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Indonesia is now the world's largest nickel producer, supplying 64% of global output in 2024 — yet the mineral powering the EV revolution remains one of the most carbon-intensive to produce. Most of Indonesia's fast-growing nickel processing industry relies on captive coal, locking in one of the world's most carbon-intensive industrial pathways — and China, which controls about three-quarters of Indonesia's smelting capacity, sits at the centre of both the problem and its potential resolution.
Audrey Berder speaks with Dr. Muyi Yang, Senior Energy Analyst at Ember, on whether the green transition can reconcile its own contradictions.
An insightful conversation for anyone interested in critical minerals, EU-China relations, or the geopolitics of the energy transition.
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What does it take for European businesses to succeed in China today? How are Ireland–China economic relations evolving in a shifting geopolitical landscape? And where do opportunities still exist amid growing competition and changing supply chains?
In this episode, Xaver Haack speaks with Tadhg O’Callaghan, Director of Enterprise Ireland in China. Together they discuss Tadhg’s professional journey across East Asia, the role of Enterprise Ireland in supporting Irish companies abroad, and what makes a business “China-ready”.
The conversation also explores the current state of Sino-Irish relations following recent high-level visits, Ireland’s positioning within wider EU–China dynamics, and the sectors offering the greatest promise for future cooperation — from green technology and offshore wind to education and innovation.
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"Limitless partnership"- that's how Xi and Putin proclaim their countries' relations in 2022. However, are the ties between China and Russia actually without limits? How do China and Russia interact on different levels and what impact does this alliance have on the EU and the global order?
In this episode, Kiara Link Link hosts Sören Urbansky and Martin Wagner, authors of the book "Entangled Empires: Four Centuries of China-Russia Relations" (2026). Together they unpack the historical roots of China-Russia relations, discuss the concept of asymmetric interdependency and key events shaping both countries until today. In the second part the guests share their analysis on contemporary developments of the Sino-Russia alliance, by delving into its impact on current geopolitics and the role of the EU.
If you want to know more about the historical dynamics between China and Russia, check out Urbansky and Wagner’s new book “𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀: 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮-𝗥𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀” (2026), available at https://www.politybooks.com/bookdetail?book_slug=entangled-empires-four-centuries-of-china--russia-relations--9781509572595
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What does Europe actually want from China, and does it even know? In this episode, we sit down with Mathieu Duchâtel, Director of International Studies at Institut Montaigne, to untangle one of the most consequential and misread Duchâtelships in global politics. From Taiwan’s semiconductor strategy to Brussels’ electric vehicle tariffs, from Macron’s failed diplomatic charm offensive to Beijing’s quiet support for Russia’s war machine, Duchâtel reveals a Europe that has silently buried its optimism about China without a clear strategy to replace it.
Drawing on his years in Taiwan, Duchâtel shows just how far behind Europe has been in grasping the reality of economic dependency, and what that lag has cost. Meanwhile, China has quietly accumulated structural advantages: deep access to the European single market, a persistent trade surplus, and zero meaningful cost for enabling Russia’s war effort. Then there’s Taiwan, where Duchâtel resists simple military scenarios and points to something more unsettling: a long game of political warfare and influence operations designed to reshape the island’s political landscape from within. Finally, this episode reflects on China’s Vice Premier taking the Davos stage in early January to position Beijing as the last defender of globalization, in which Duchâtel offers a sharp analysis of what that performance was really about.
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What are the real-world challenges of learning Chinese as a foreigner in China? What does it take to integrate into Chinese society and move beyond the typical textbook approach? Is there a deeper connection between language, culture, and society?
In today’s episode, host Francesca Pala sits down with Alla Garside, creator of Sino.sphere, a fully media-based Chinese school offering an innovative, interactive approach to language learning.
Together, they dive into key social concepts and terms, such as 关系 (guanxi) — relationship-building — and 内卷 (neijuan) — “involution” — to explore some important aspects of Chinese society today.
From tackling stereotypes to understanding the deeper cultural nuances of the language, we discuss how curiosity, adaptability, and a fresh perspective are essential in language learning and integration.
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The green and digital transition runs on critical raw materials. And rare earths — used in everything from wind turbines to EV motors to defence systems — are the most strategically vital of all.
China has been building its rare earth dominance since the 1980s. Today, it mines 70% of global rare earths, processes 90% of them — and in 2024, 95% of all EU rare earth imports came from China. That's not a supply chain risk. That's a dependency.
Europe is waking up. The Critical Raw Materials Act and ResourceEU's fast-track mechanisms are the EU's answer — but policy alone won't close the gap.
In our latest episode, host Audrey Berder sits down with Simon Van Ootmerssen and Marc Moquette from the China Knowledge Network (CKN) — established by the Dutch Government — to unpack what this means for Europe, including the 3 main supply chain bottlenecks the EU must urgently address.
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In this episode we speak to Fongyee Walker, founder of Dragon Phoenix Wines and the first Master of Wine resident in China. As the first of our two part series on China and wine, this episode covers the exciting developments of China’s growing wine industry. From the highs to the lows, from the heaven to earth, and from the ancient past to the exciting days ahead, we cover all the need-to-know topics on this subject.
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In this episode of the European Guanxi Podcast, we are joined by Bijan Ahmadi, Executive Director of the Canada-China Business Council, for a timely conversation on the future of Canada–China economic relations.
As political tensions rise but trade flows continue, what does a more “pragmatic relationship" with China actually look like? How should Canada balance security concerns with economic opportunity? And what role do energy, critical minerals and supply chains play in shaping the next phase of engagement?
Tune in for a grounded discussion on risk, resilience and realism in today’s geopolitical economy.
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Alibaba, Shein, and now Temu - Chinese e-commerce remains highly competitive despite policy efforts to curb it. What makes such companies so succesful and dynamic? In this episode of the European Guanxi Podcast we host Ed Sander, analyst of China's tech landscape at Tech Buzz China, to offer more insight into innovative e-commerce business models and the EU policy measures failing to counter them. Tune in to learn more!
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In this episode, we welcome Thomas 阿福 Derksen, one of the best-known German creators in China, to reflect on his journey from influencer to media entrepreneur. We talk about finding a niche, staying authentic even when everyone has an opinion, why consistency matters more than anything, and what motivated Thomas to launch his new venture Asiabits.
We also discuss how learning by doing, constantly failing and trying again forms the basis of success in the media industry, and why being on the ground matters when trying to understand innovation coming out of China.
Links:
European Guanxi: https://www.europeanguanxi.com/Asiabits: https://asiabits.com/en/ Thomas Derksen: https://www.thomas-derksen.com/🎧 New episodes of the European Guanxi Podcast every week.
Subscribe for more conversations on EU–China relations, politics, business, and society.
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European tech sovereignty and industrial policy are under growing pressure amid intensifying EU-China competition.
In this episode of the European Guanxi Podcast, we welcome Sebastian Contin Trillo-Figueroa, geopolitics strategist and EU-China consultant.
Through the Nexperia case, this discussion examines how foreign ownership, technology, and national security are increasingly debated in Europe. The episode explores the EU’s strategic autonomy and industrial vulnerabilities, with particular attention to its dependence on rare earths and recent efforts to diversify supply chains with the Critical Raw Materials Act.
Framed by intensifying U.S.–China semiconductor rivalry, this episode reveals the challenges Europe faces in defining its technology policy.
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In this episode, we speak with Dr. Austin Strange about the shifting landscape of global development aid following the Trump administration’s executive order pausing USAID for review. The conversation explores why Chinese development aid has become a central feature of global development finance, which countries it targets, and how it supports Beijing’s broader soft-power strategy. We also discuss recent adjustments in China’s aid approach, the implications for countries with deep historical ties to U.S. assistance—such as Laos—and how the suspension of USAID programs affects America’s global reputation and influence.
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In this episode, we speak with David Lubin, Michael Klein Senior Research Fellow at Chatham House, about how China manages capital flows, why it maintains capital controls, and what the consequences of a liberalization of China’s capital markets would be. We look at China’s current account surplus, the challenges of RMB internationalization, and the lessons we can draw from history—including the recycling of petrodollars and the developing-country debt crises of the 1980s and 1990s—to better understand today’s global challenges.
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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/
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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