China

China

China’s rise continues to present tremendous strategic challenges and opportunities for the United States and its allies and partners. Today, Beijing aims to connect the majority of the world’s population under the Belt and Road Initiative, dominate high-tech industry, and forge a world-class military. Despite the sustained, structural momentum behind China’s growth, increasing economic uncertainty, paired with long-term demographic challenges and tightening domestic political control, have further complicated the trajectory of Chinese power and influence in the decades ahead.

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The Global China Hub tracks Beijing’s actions and their global impacts, assessing China’s rise from multiple angles and identifying emerging China policy challenges. The Hub leverages its network of China experts around the world to generate actionable recommendations for policymakers in Washington and beyond.

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Our pillars of work

This initiative capitalizes on the breadth of the Atlantic Council’s geographic reach and expertise on China across everything from security, to energy, to technology, to the economy, to information integrity in order to provide US and allied decision-makers with strategic solutions to the vexing questions posed by China’s rise.

What happens in China no longer stays in China. China’s approach to everything, from economic reform to mounting political repression, affects its trajectory as a great power and directly impacts US and allied interests and values. China Inside Out provides cutting-edge insights into the domestic drivers of China’s external behavior to shape effective allied responses.

Emerging technologies will dominate the competition for industries of the future. At risk are not only their associated economic benefits, but the future of democracy and individual rights. Promoting policy and technological advances that bolster democratic governance and individual rights will help the US and its allies outflank rather than react to China’s techno-authoritarian efforts.

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Content

Dispatches

Sep 14, 2026

Don’t count on Trump and Xi to slow down AI. Don’t count them out either.

By Kenton Thibaut

Concerns about catastrophic risks to humanity have put artificial intelligence at the top of the agenda for the leaders’ upcoming meeting.

Artificial Intelligence China

Dispatches

Sep 14, 2026

Three African economies show how China’s slowdown is reshaping trade

By Jeremy Smith

From Angolan oil to Congolese copper, China's economic slowdown is creating new winners and losers across Africa.

Africa China

Inflection Points

Sep 14, 2026

Trump and Xi should rethink how to run the AI race

By Frederick Kempe

The threat of frontier artificial intelligence must be at the top of the agenda for the upcoming meeting between the leaders.

Artificial Intelligence China

Econographics

Sep 8, 2026

The IMF’s boost to China’s currency is costing the world, ten years later

By Jeremy Mark

The renminbi was supposed to become a global currency. Instead, China’s tight controls have helped lay the groundwork for a more fragmented monetary system.

China Economy & Business

Econographics

Aug 28, 2026

The G20 needs more carrots to rebalance away from China

By Barbara C. Matthews

Tariffs alone won’t fix global imbalances. The G20 should use economic “carrots” to de-risk from China without destabilizing it.

China Economy & Business

Dispatches

Aug 28, 2026

Why China’s export-maximizing strategy is working—for now

By Martin Mühleisen

China’s economy faces real constraints, but Beijing’s repressive political system might manage them for far longer than expected.

China Economy & Business

Dispatches

Aug 26, 2026

In an age of great-power competition, democracy is an advantage for the United States

By Markus Jaeger

The spread of democracy could give Washington an edge in great-power competition and make armed conflict less likely.

Americas China

In the News

Aug 21, 2026

Eftimiades interviewed on Restricted Handling on Chinese political influence campaigns

By Atlantic Council

On July 5, Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow Nicholas Eftimiades was interviewed on the Restricted Handling podcast to discuss Chinese political influence campaigns and penetration of American critical infrastructure. He highlights the need for an American response strategy based on Beijing’s long-term intelligence strategy.

China Critical Infrastructure Policy

In the News

Aug 21, 2026

Eftimiades testified at the National Intelligence Enterprise Subcommittee of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

By Atlantic Council

On June 25, Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow Nicholas Eftimiades testified in front of the National Intelligence Enterprise Subcommittee of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence as part of a roundtable on gray zone threats. He emphasized the scale of China’s penetration of American critical infrastructure and urged policymakers to develop a response strategy.

China Critical Infrastructure Policy

In the News

Aug 21, 2026

Eftimiades interviewed on Deterrence Down Under on countering Chinese covert influence operations

By Atlantic Council

On February 26, Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow Nicholas Eftimiades was interviewed on Deterrence Down Under for a conversation about the organizational structure of the Chinese intelligence apparatus. He underscored the importance of a credible deterrence framework to respond to Chinese covert influence operations, particularly given increasing threats of economic and political interference.

China Indo-Pacific
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Experts

Fellow

Ahmed Aboudouh

Former Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Arabic China

Fellow

Michael Allen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Cybersecurity

Fellow

Peter Arvo

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

China Human Rights

Staff

Rayhan Asat

Senior Legal & Policy Advisor, China Lead

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Central Asia China

Fellow

Kelsang (Kaydor) Aukatsang

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global China Hub

China Civil Society

Staff

Charlotte Bertrand

Program Assistant

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Defense Industry
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