After Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s election win, China is warning of resurgent “militarism.” Takaichi is signaling an intention to revise Japan’s pacifist constitution.
By Leonardo Pape
The sentencing of former newspaper publisher Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison is the harshest penalty handed down so far under Hong Kong’s national security law. Lai’s son is urging governments such as Germany’s to increase pressure on Beijing.
By Fabian Peltsch
Chinese investors are piling into virtual gold, bars and coins even as jewelry sales slump. Major banks are urging restraint.
By Jörn Petring
US President Donald Trump’s erratic policies are unsettling many Asian countries. Across the region, states are seeking deeper partnerships with Europe as uncertainty grows in the shadow of an increasingly self-confident China.
By Angela Köckritz
MERICS expert Jacob Gunter is calling for a rethink in Europe’s politics and business: Only determined investment and geopolitical course-setting can prevent further dependence on China.
By Jacob Gunter
The European Commission has provisionally found that TikTok is in breach of key provisions of the Digital Services Act (DSA), citing what it describes as the platform’s “addictive design.” The preliminary findings follow an investigation that has been ongoing since 2024 and also focus on TikTok’s algorithmic recommendation systems.
By Corinna Visser
China has condemned a mosque attack in Islamabad and promised support for the Pakistani government. After recent attacks in the Balochistan region, China has also been increasingly concerned about the security of its own citizens in Pakistan.
By Leonardo Pape
Merics Economy Program Lead Jacob Gunter argues that Europe's executives and politicians need to radically increase the urgency of de-risking from China. Only great financial investments and course corrections today will save the region from greater pain tomorrow.
By Jacob Gunter
In “The Wall Dancers,” author Yi-Ling Liu portrays a vibrant digital ecosystem that remains far more dynamic – despite censorship – than many in the West like to assume. China’s capacity for innovation, she argues, is still being underestimated.
By Fabian Peltsch
Many Chinese provinces and regions have lowered their economic targets for this year. The adjustments are seen as a signal that the leadership in Beijing may also announce a lower national growth target.
By Jörn Petring
