MERICS

Night view of a brightly lit, modern Chinese metropolis with towering skyscrapers and heavy traffic, symbolizing external economic confidence and internal pressure

China 2026: Power abroad, fragility at home

04/12/202516/01/2026

Beijing enters 2026 with unprecedented geopolitical swagger, flaunting economic resilience and technological ambition. Yet, as highlighted in the latest MERICS assessment of China’s trajectory, this polished narrative conceals a far more brittle domestic reality—one that could ultimately derail the country’s… Read More »China 2026: Power abroad, fragility at home

Handshake between Irish and Chinese foreign ministers in Dublin with national flags displayed, highlighting China’s diplomatic influence in Ireland through high-level political engagement and strategic relationship-building

Reading between the lines: China’s subtle influence campaign in Ireland

14/05/202513/06/2025

Beijing’s soft power tactics in Ireland reveal a sophisticated approach to shaping European perspectives, as detailed in recent investigative reporting that deserves careful contextual analysis