For more than two decades China has been shaking up global governance by taking over leading roles in major international banks, multilateral organizations, and informal groups such as the G20. China will play a key role – this much is undisputed. But as populist countries are on the rise and multilateral agreements increasingly at risk, China may mark as milestone in two vastly different fields: climate change and future digital networks. A leading champion in reaching agreed climate goals domestically in recent years, it remains unclear if China will be able and willing to stay on that track. Fueled by confrontation with the U.S. and the current coronavirus crisis, China has doubled down on initiatives in deploying 5G networks by its leading tech companies and even rolled out plans for a new global internet governance.

How can we make sense of these recent developments? Are China’s commercial banks, state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and foreign investments initiatives, e.g. the Belt and Road, supporting or hurting China’s climate change and technology advancement strategies? How can we judge China’s approach to mitigating climate change? What are China’s actors in future digital networks? And are we about to have to choose a side, the U.S. or China, or is it time for a new global cooperation?

For these and more questions, join our second online Mini-Conference featuring a keynote presentation by Dr. Jue Wang of the University of Leiden, and two parallel breakout sessions with Greenpeace East Asia’s Li Shuo, and the Mercator Institute for China Studies’ (MERICS) John Lee. Choose your session and submit a question to the expert in charge. Participation is limited to guarantee lively discussions.

Program

12:00 – Opening remarks, and keynote presentation by Dr. Jue Wang
12:20 – Breakout sessions A and B (see details below)
13: 00 – Wrap up in plenum
13:10 – End of Mini-Conference

Session A: China’s Role in Tackling Climate Change Amid the Altering Global Climate Agenda

China long ago eclipsed the U.S. as the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitter. How does today’s climate agenda look like as the U.S. withdrew from the Paris Agreement and what role will China play? Which are the key drivers behind China’s switch to low-carbon developments? What can we learn from China’s and other countries’ journeys on the global climate agenda? And what should European countries consider when engaging on climate change issues with China? Join the session with Greenpeace East Asia’s Li Shuo, who will be giving an introduction to these key questions and will address other questions you may have on China’s and other actors’ role in climate change related issues.

Session B: The Role of Chinese Actors in Future Digital Networks

In an environment of growing suspicion towards China, the role of Chinese actors in future digital networks has been increasingly scrutinized. What are the roles of Chinese firms and other actors in global standards setting and the Internet of Things? Why have Chinese actors submitted a proposal for a ‘New IP’ to potentially replace the Internet Protocol (IP) to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU)? What role will China play in the emerging Internet of Things? And what is the debate over Huawei in 5G networks about? Join the session with MERICS’ John Lee, who will be giving an introduction to these key questions and will address other questions you may have on the role of Chinese actors in future digital networks.