China Knowledge Network

Our third #Cosmolab-conversation is with Carlo Rovelli, a theoretical physicist. He has made significant contributions to the physics of space and time. He holds that reality is a web of relations. To understand reality we should study nodes of interactions rather than objects moved around by forces. This has implications for how we can look at human and international relations – including those between Europe and China. Carlo Rovelli is known for making complex science intelligible for a large audience. In his international bestseller Helgoland. The Strange and Beautiful Story of Quantum Physics he describes and reflects on the web of relations that weaves reality. He explains many key-notions used in CKN-Cosmolab conversations such as indeterminacy, contextuality, entanglement and emergence. His fundamental theories on relational quantum mechanics influence a range of other disciplines. These include complexity science where the search for fundamental and effective theories are combined. Examples relevant to CKN-Cosmolab are Alexander Wendt’s Quantum Mind and Social Science (2015) and Milja Kurki’s International Relations in a Relational Universe (2020). Watch the whole video here: https://lnkd.in/eqNKFyvp Explore Cosmolab here: https://lnkd.in/egVvxB6K #Cosmolab #CKN #ChinaKnowledgeNetwork #EpistemicDiplomats

This second #Cosmolab-conversation touches on the foundations of realism in Western and Indian philosophy. It illustrates the depth of what is on the table when we actually start engaging with diverse worldviews. Chakravarthi Ram-Prasad (https://lnkd.in/esu4pa-g) is Fellow of the British Academy and Distinguished Professor in Politics, Philosophy and Religion at Lancaster University. He interprets political and public religion in the world outside the constraints of the modern liberal Western experience and is a specialist in the comparative study of Indian and Chinese philosophies, especially on the issues of self and knowledge. Bernardo Kastrup (https://lnkd.in/eyY8yrx2) directs the Essentia Foundation. He is a philosopher focusing on ontology and philosophy of mind. He holds that reality is mental, as best captured by analytic idealism. As a computer scientist, he has worked for the Cern European Organization for Nuclear Research, Philips Research Laboratories and ASML. This conversation is a co-production with the Essentia Foundation (https://lnkd.in/gQn_cwxw). Watch the whole video here: https://lnkd.in/e47JP666 Explore #Cosmolab: https://lnkd.in/egVvxB6K #CKN #Cosmolab #ChinaKnowledgeNetwork #EpistemicDiplomats

This opening conversation of Cosmolab was recorded in Bonn, Germany. China Knowledge Envoy Marc Moquette talks with professor Markus Gabriel who holds the Chair for Epistemology, Modern, and Contemporary Philosophy at Bonn University and is Director of the Centre for Science and Thought, a radically interdisciplinary platform designed to address urgent questions that arise at the intersection of philosophy and various natural sciences. In this video, Markus Gabriel discusses the need for a non-classical picture of international relations. In a sense, he argues, reality itself is diplomatic. Epistemological pluralism means acknowledging different forms of knowledge that correspond to the plurality of fields of sense. Watch the full video on our youtube channel here: https://lnkd.in/eRmpgx2M Explore Cosmolab here: https://lnkd.in/egVvxB6K #ChinaKnowledgeNetwork #Cosmolab #CKN #EpistemicDiplomats

This was a great talk by Reza Hasmath, giving lots of insight into the Chinese public view on global affairs. A few highlights of this China Knowledge Network event: 👉 Chinese citizens strongly indicated that China was the world’s most powerful nation, with 67 percent of respondents rating it as the nation with the most influence on the world stage 👉China-Russia relationship: Russia acc. to people surveyed is China’s most trusted partner and most important to China’s long-term future 👉China-US relationship: US is least trusted (with Japan). 64% of respondents view a conflict between China and the United States as inevitable 👉China-EU relationship: EU is deemed more important and influential to China than individual member states, such as France and Germany. Having said that, China’s relationship with the European Union suffered from tensions in the 2020s. For more watch the video here: https://lnkd.in/gSTVjwAs Many thanks to LeidenAsiaCentre's Frank Pieke for moderating the Q&A and discussant Rogier Creemers of Leiden University!

📚 On December 4th, CKN will host a Knowledge Session: 'The Challenge of Getting China Right' with Prof. Dr. Reza Hasmath Register here: https://lnkd.in/ets-PwJr

How state and non-state actors influence public opinion within China and what this means for China-Europe relations moving forward? These are the questions which Prof. Dr. Reza Hasmath, Professor of Political Science at the University of Alberta, will try to answer in the upcoming China Knowledge Network event on 4 December! For this session, there is open registration. For registration and meer information: https://lnkd.in/g_NwGSMw

Cosmolab is live. https://lnkd.in/egVvxB6K Understanding complexity requires going beyond classical analysis and engaging with diverse worldviews and knowledge disciplines. In this series of conversations with philosophers, scientists and research practitioners, the China Knowledge Network approaches the complexity of our relationship with China. What questions can we ask when developing knowledge and awareness for today’s policymaking? What arenas are emerging where we can deal with our entanglements?

📢 New Report on Chinese Influence in Dutch Media Released The China Knowledge Network (CKN) has released a new report by researchers Ardi Bouwers, Susanne Kamerling and the LeidenAsiaCentre, titled Chinese influence and interference in the Dutch media landscape. The report focuses on three areas of influence: 📌 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮: The pressures faced by correspondents working on Chinese soil. 📌 𝐃𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐡-𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚: How Chinese influence efforts are impacting Dutch-language reporting and editorial freedom. 📌 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐞-𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬:  The extent of China's reach within local Chinese communities, affecting both content and narrative control. The main conclusion is that China is targeting by attrition – both within its borders and in the Netherlands – critical voices about China (the so-called chilling effect), to diminish the activity of critical voices, causing them to be drowned out or to give up entirely. This affects both correspondents in China and specific groups in the Netherlands. Following the report’s release, the NOS published an article detailing these findings: https://lnkd.in/eY_bp8Yt The full report is now available in Dutch and English on the CKN website. 📚 https://lnkd.in/eEzuVD63 #ChinaKennisNetwerk #ChinaKnowledgeNetwork

🌍 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐊𝐍 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚-𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 The China Knowledge Network (CKN), in collaboration with the Sub-Saharan Africa Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken), recently hosted a thematic session titled "China in Africa - Confronting Complexity." This event organized by The Clingendael Institute and LeidenAsiaCentre brought together experts and policymakers engaged in understanding the complex dynamics of China-Africa relations.   𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: Dr. Hangwei Li of the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) explored the strategic developments in China's approach to Africa. Dr. Stacey Links from the African Studies Centre at Universiteit Leiden provided an in-depth analysis of the real impacts and perceptions in China-Africa relations. Prof. Dr. Haroon Sheikh of the the Scientific Council on Government Policy (WRR - Wetenschappelijke Raad voor het Regeringsbeleid) discussed the strategic governance of global technologies and its relevance to China and Africa. The event concluded with engaging panel discussions and Q&A Sessions moderated by Floris Harm (LeidenAsiaCentre) and Raoul Bunskoek 谷巖杉 (The Clingendael Institute). The discussions covered the challenges and opportunities presented by sector-dependent dynamics and media influences in China-Africa relations.   𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬: ▪ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚: Acknowledging Africa’s growing independence and its implications for relations with Europe. ▪ 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚’𝐬 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: Moving beyond the conventional narratives to understand what China truly offers in its partnerships in Africa. ▪ 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐔 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐃𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐬: How Europe can adapt its strategies in response to evolving geopolitical challenges. ▪ 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐱 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐬: The presented report highlighted the fragmenting world order, stressing that policy makers should open their eyes to the complexity of international relations and deal with uncomfortable questions involving the public.   Thank you to all our speakers and attendees for a day of rich discussions and insights.   #ChinaAfrica #Geopolitics #InternationalRelations #CKN

🚢 New Report Release: Port Politics - Strategic Autonomy and European Ports 🌍 We are excited to announce the release of our latest report titled "Port Politics: Strategic Autonomy and European Ports" which focuses on the growing influence of foreign involvement in European seaports, specifically examining China's role written by Xiaoxue Martin, Frans-Paul van der Putten and Bart Kuipers   𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: • 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲: The report identifies a critical gap in EU cooperation regarding foreign involvement in seaports, which could hinder the EU’s control over strategic logistics and future scenarios. • 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤: It proposes an EU-wide policy framework aimed at strengthening strategic autonomy within the seaport and logistics sectors. • 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚: Using China as a case study, this report explores how European authorities can align foreign activities with strategic autonomy goals.   𝐅𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: • How can the Dutch government or the EU influence the likely outcomes of scenarios previously discussed in a previous report "Navigating an Uncertain Future"? • What policy instruments are necessary at both EU and Member State levels to align foreign involvement with strategic autonomy objectives?   This research was conducted by The Clingendael Institute and Erasmus UPT commissioned by the Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Waterstaat and the Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken, as part of the framework agreement for the Dutch China Knowledge Network (CKN).   🔎 Read the Report: https://lnkd.in/etx6eA7b   #PortPolitics #StrategicAutonomy #EuropeanPorts #EU #China #CKN