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.

Our pillars of work

Stay up to date

Subscribe for China updates from the Atlantic Council

Sign up to receive the latest updates on China work from across the Atlantic Council, all in one convenient place.



  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Content

EnergySource

Sep 4, 2025

The China-Russia natural gas deal is a distraction from LNG sanctions evasion

By Olga Khakova

The announcement of a China-Russia natural gas pipeline deal is attention-grabbing geopolitical theater. The United States should instead be focused on curbing Russia's evasion of LNG sanctions.

China Energy & Environment

Issue Brief

Sep 2, 2025

Leveraging Beijing’s playbook to fortify DFC for global competition

By Caroline Costello

A close look at Chinese development lending practices reveals lessons for the United States on why Chinese deals succeed—and fail—and how the United States should reform its own institutions.

Africa China

MENASource

Aug 29, 2025

Is the cautious China-Iran military cooperation at a turning point?

By Jean-Loup Samaan

With a new war between Iran and Israel still an immediate threat, China might need to ask itself: Is cooperation with Iran worth risking its diplomacy model in the Gulf?

China Iran

In the News

Aug 27, 2025

Arnold Punaro featured in RealClear Defense on restructuring the US military

By Atlantic Council

On August 26, MajGen Arnold Punaro (ret.), a Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow, published an article in RealClear Defense, titled "Restructuring Our Military for a Multi-Front War."

China Defense Policy

Econographics

Aug 25, 2025

Everybody wants a stablecoin, even China

By Ananya Kumar

From Beijing’s perspective, a successful offshore yuan-denominated stablecoin could replace some existing yuan transactions, increase the purchases of offshore bonds, and even make them technologically more efficient.

China Digital Currencies

In the News

Aug 22, 2025

Daniels discusses China’s AI strategy on the China Power Podcast

By Atlantic Council

On August 19, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Owen Daniels was featured on Episode 108 of the German Marshal Fund's China Power Podcast.

Artificial Intelligence China

In the News

Aug 22, 2025

Daniels examines China’s AI soft power strategy in War on the Rocks

By Atlantic Council

On August 14, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Owen Daniels published an article, "China’s Soft Power Tools and Whether They Work," in War on the Rocks.

Artificial Intelligence China

Issue Brief

Aug 21, 2025

Addressing China’s military expansion in West Africa and beyond

By Tressa Guenov

As China expands its military reach in West Africa, the United States risks losing strategic ground on the continent. The next National Defense Strategy must confront China’s ambitions beyond the Indo-Pacific, balancing defense diplomacy, bilateral military relationships, and counterterrorism.

Africa China

Issue Brief

Aug 19, 2025

A vision for US hypersonic weapons

By Edward Brady and Michael E. White

Hypersonic weapons, if fielded in sufficient numbers to defeat critical targets necessary to degrade adversary capabilities, will enable effective use of traditional weapon systems and allow for future battlefield dominance. A layered defeat construct must be deployed to defend against ballistic and hypersonic missiles targeting US assets.

China Defense Industry

New Atlanticist

Aug 15, 2025

What Russia’s war on Ukraine means for Central Asia 

By Tatiana Gfoeller

The course of Russia’s war against Ukraine will have massive implications for Moscow and Beijing’s competition for influence in Central Asia.

Central Asia China

Experts