MERICS China Security and Risk Tracker 01/2025 | Greater risks, greater confidence: China’s new national security white paper
In this edition of the MERICS China Security and Risk Tracker, MERICS experts Helena Legarda, Rebecca Arcesati, Katja Drinhausen, Jacob Gunter and Daria Impiombato take a closer look at the following issues: China’s new national security white paper: Released in mid-May with great media fanfare, the document titled “China’s National Security in the New Era” presents China as a beacon of stability in uncertain times when the world is at a crossroads. MERICS experts Helena Legarda and Katja Drinhausen argue that the white paper reflects changes in Beijing’s conceptualization of national security and in its threat perceptions.
The top China risks in 2025:The second Trump administration’s foreign and economic policies are reshaping geopolitical dynamics, increasing tensions with both China and Europe, and leading to greater global uncertainty. Beijing’s doubling down on its partnership with Russia and on securitizing a growing number of policy fields exacerbates risks for Europe and other international actors. Our experts identify shifts in risks emanating from China. What to watch in the months ahead: From the NATO summit at the end of this month to the EU-China summit in Beijing in July and the UN’s 80th anniversary, we look at what to expect from major meetings and events in the coming months.
