The End of Germany’s China Illusion

The current trajectory of European policy towards China stands at a crucial juncture. In recent years, China has evolved from a long-term geopolitical challenge to a pivotal factor influencing the competitiveness of the European economy, the security of its citizens, and the EU's ability to fulfill its ambitious climate and digitalization goals. This shift poses a distinctive challenge for Germany, as its dependencies on the Chinese market are more pronounced compared to other EU member states. To address the challenges posed by today's China and establish a forward-looking vision, Berlin unveiled its first-ever China strategy in July 2023. In her address to the IIEA, Dr Janka Oertel, discusses how the implementation of this strategy is now essential at both the national level and as part of a broader European approach to China.

About the Speaker:

Dr Janka Oertel is director of the Asia programme and a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Oertel previously worked as a senior fellow in the Asia programme at the German Marshall Fund of the United States’ Berlin office, where she focused on transatlantic China policy including on emerging technologies, Chinese foreign policy, and security in east Asia. Dr Oertel has published widely on topics related to EU-China relations, US-China relations, security in the Asia-Pacific region, Chinese foreign policy, 5G and emerging technologies, as well as climate cooperation. Her new book The end of Germany’s China Illusion: How We Must Deal with Beijing’s Claim to Power was published in German by Piper in 2023.