Festival Break: Thinkers Dialog, Rethinking Chinese Politics and EU's IP Strategy

Dear Subscribers,

Today’s People’s Daily is a shorter, holiday edition, and there’s little that I found of interest. My presumption is that tomorrow will be similar given that it is the Mid-Autumn Festival. In that case, unless there’s something really interesting, I am going to skip coverage.

Anyway, in the meantime, I thought I’d share something different today.

First, I was invited for a Thinkers Dialog conversation by the Institute for Competitiveness, India, which is the Indian knot in the global network of the Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness at Harvard Business School. We talked about the India-China relationship, China’s rise and changing geopolitics and, of course, my book Smokeless War. You can watch the conversation below.

Second, it’s going to be a busy week ahead, with the UNGA, Quad Summit, the anticipated Evergrande default, and who knows what China’s tech regulators have planned. My weekly Eye on China, published every Sunday, should help you stay updated with all of this.

Third, if you haven’t watched it yet, I do recommend this discussion on Joseph Fewsmith’s new book Rethinking Chinese Politics by CSIS. I thought the book was excellent and the discussion was fantastic.

Finally, although it didn’t get as much attention owing to AUKUS-related developments, the EU published its Indo-Pacific strategy last week. I’ve done breakdown in this Twitter thread, if you are interested.

Manoj Kewalramani @theChinaDude

You can read the full speech here:

ec.europa.euPress cornerHighlights, press releases and speeches

Below is some of the language with regard to China:

• increasing tensions in regional hotspots such as in the South and East China Sea and in the Taiwan Strait may have a direct impact on European security & prosperity.

• Progress in ratifying the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI), on which negotiations were concluded with China at the end of 2020, is in the EU’s and China’s mutual interest.

• The EU will also pursue its multifaceted engagement with China, engaging bilaterally to promote solutions to common challenges, cooperating on issues of common interest and encouraging China to play its part in a peaceful and thriving Indo-Pacific region. At the same time, and working with international partners who share similar concerns, the EU will continue to protect its essential interests and promote its values while pushing back where fundamental disagreements exist with China, such as on human rights.

Cheers,

Manoj