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Mercator Institute for China Studies

The latest news and top stories on the Mercator Institute for China Studies. A prominent Berlin-based nonprofit German think tank, the Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS) is dedicated to strengthening knowledge and debate about China in Europe. Founded in 2013, its main areas of focus include interdisciplinary research on China’s political, economic, social, technological and ecological developments and their global impacts. MERICS, with an office in Brussels, is recognised as Europe’s largest research institute solely analysing contemporary China, providing independent, fact-based insights to inform public and policy discussions.

This week’s summit of EU leaders in Brussels is supposed to be about the bloc’s competitiveness, widely understood as a response to China’s state-backed industrial expansion. Photo: Reuters

China-EU relations

Tariffs and distrust: EU’s bid to ditch China hits capacity problems

‘Thinly spread’ bloc seeks this week to thrash out memorandum on critical minerals with the US, eyeing a more formal instrument down the road.

6 hours agovideocam

China-EU relations

Why the ‘China threat’ was barely mentioned in Germany’s latest state election

10 Mar 2026 - 5:30PMvideocam

China-Germany relations

‘China shock’ hangs over German leader Merz’s first visit to Beijing

23 Feb 2026 - 11:00PMvideocam

China-EU relations

EU seeks independence, survival amid China-US economic dominance

European leaders meet to address the bloc’s economic woes, reliance on China and US, and shielding key industries from protectionist policies.

12 Feb 2026 - 6:05PMvideocam

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addresses a debate on the urgent action required to boost EU competitiveness, deepen the single market and reduce the cost of living, at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

China exports

Goodwill or necessity? Why is China slashing solar and battery subsidies?

Analysts expect policy will signal to Europe that Beijing is interested in serious trade relations and is a good partner.

10 Jan 2026 - 6:10PMvideocam

China trade

As Germany’s trade deficit with China nears new high, analysts warn of backlash

The widening gap, fuelled by a localisation push in China and fierce EV competition, is fuelling fears of political upheaval and rising protectionist sentiment in Berlin.

23 Dec 2025 - 4:00PM

China trade

As trade deficit mounts, is EU selling what China wants to buy?

Traditional European exports like cars are losing their appeal, while restrictions crimp sales of sought-after lithography machines.

18 Dec 2025 - 4:00PM

A China-Europe freight train leave the transshipment yard of Tongjiang North Railway Station in northeastern China’s Heilongjiang province on December 9. Photo: Xinhua

China's military weapons

Why China’s rapid military build-up is ‘hardly the whole story’

The PLA has been moving fast to modernise its arsenal and warfare strategy, but it’s seen as ‘seriously deficient’ in some areas.

18 Dec 2025 - 6:03AM

TikTok

Are China’s social media apps the soft power play to win over the West?

After the US migration to RedNote, experts say transforming engagement into influence will require a ‘light touch’ from Beijing.

14 Dec 2025 - 6:20PMvideocam

China-EU relations

Ireland business chamber welcomes Chinese investment despite US, EU pressures

Dublin Chamber of Commerce CEO says country welcomes business ties ‘within EU rules’, notes existing partnerships in tech and pharmaceuticals.

22 Nov 2025 - 2:00PMvideocam

Officials from both sides met at a China-Ireland Joint Economic and Trade Commission meeting in Dublin on November 12. Photo: Ministry of Commerce

China technology

China expands frontiers in space, deep sea, poles amid fierce geopolitical race

From deep in the Arctic Ocean to outer space and cyberspace, Beijing’s focus on technological advancements is reshaping the global strategic balance.

28 Oct 2025 - 9:00PMvideocam

Members of a Chinese scientific expedition team deploy ice-based buoys in the high-latitude waters of the Arctic Ocean on August 25. Photo: Xinhua

China-EU relations

Chinese firms slam Trump’s claim that Europe gives them ‘a complete pass’

Trump says Europe unfairly targets US tech companies and goes easy on their Chinese rivals. China’s firms say they would gladly trade places.

27 Aug 2025 - 7:00PMvideocam

China’s Communist Party

The Front Line | As the world watches PLA approach 100, is it truly ‘capable of winning wars’?

On September 3, China’s steps towards ‘building a world-class military by the middle of the century’ will be more visible.

1 Sep 2025 - 7:17PMvideocam

China manufacturing

China scrambles to fix price wars – by updating a law from 1998. Here’s why

As disorderly competition fuels a ‘race to the bottom’ across Chinese sectors, Beijing takes aim at pricing legislation that has gone untouched for 27 years.

22 Aug 2025 - 10:11AMvideocam

US-China relations

‘Huge shift’: why learning Mandarin is losing its appeal in the West

Available figures suggest enthusiasm is waning after years of rapid growth, with analysts pointing to China’s economy and image problems.

21 Jul 2025 - 3:36PMvideocam

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Mercator Institute for China Studies

Tariffs and distrust: EU’s bid to ditch China hits capacity problems

‘Thinly spread’ bloc seeks this week to thrash out memorandum on critical minerals with the US, eyeing a more formal instrument down the road.

Why the ‘China threat’ was barely mentioned in Germany’s latest state election

‘China shock’ hangs over German leader Merz’s first visit to Beijing

EU seeks independence, survival amid China-US economic dominance

European leaders meet to address the bloc’s economic woes, reliance on China and US, and shielding key industries from protectionist policies.

Goodwill or necessity? Why is China slashing solar and battery subsidies?

Analysts expect policy will signal to Europe that Beijing is interested in serious trade relations and is a good partner.

As Germany’s trade deficit with China nears new high, analysts warn of backlash

The widening gap, fuelled by a localisation push in China and fierce EV competition, is fuelling fears of political upheaval and rising protectionist sentiment in Berlin.

As trade deficit mounts, is EU selling what China wants to buy?

Traditional European exports like cars are losing their appeal, while restrictions crimp sales of sought-after lithography machines.

Why China’s rapid military build-up is ‘hardly the whole story’

The PLA has been moving fast to modernise its arsenal and warfare strategy, but it’s seen as ‘seriously deficient’ in some areas.

Are China’s social media apps the soft power play to win over the West?

After the US migration to RedNote, experts say transforming engagement into influence will require a ‘light touch’ from Beijing.

Ireland business chamber welcomes Chinese investment despite US, EU pressures

Dublin Chamber of Commerce CEO says country welcomes business ties ‘within EU rules’, notes existing partnerships in tech and pharmaceuticals.

China expands frontiers in space, deep sea, poles amid fierce geopolitical race

From deep in the Arctic Ocean to outer space and cyberspace, Beijing’s focus on technological advancements is reshaping the global strategic balance.

Chinese firms slam Trump’s claim that Europe gives them ‘a complete pass’

Trump says Europe unfairly targets US tech companies and goes easy on their Chinese rivals. China’s firms say they would gladly trade places.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}The Front Line | As the world watches PLA approach 100, is it truly ‘capable of winning wars’?

On September 3, China’s steps towards ‘building a world-class military by the middle of the century’ will be more visible.

China scrambles to fix price wars – by updating a law from 1998. Here’s why

As disorderly competition fuels a ‘race to the bottom’ across Chinese sectors, Beijing takes aim at pricing legislation that has gone untouched for 27 years.

‘Huge shift’: why learning Mandarin is losing its appeal in the West

Available figures suggest enthusiasm is waning after years of rapid growth, with analysts pointing to China’s economy and image problems.

The Front Line | As the world watches PLA approach 100, is it truly ‘capable of winning wars’?