China
Will a richer China grow freer or more assertive, and what should the world do if it moves on Taiwan? Few tables are better placed to answer: Deng Xiaoping, who opened the country, with Lee Kuan Yew and Mahathir Mohamad, who built states in its shadow, and Sun Tzu reading the strategy. Where they land is for the debates to show.
- Debates
- 18
- Council voices
- 25
- Last debated
- 13 June 2026
The council in action
What would they do about China?
Each thinker’s concrete moves, drawn straight from their debates.
HS
Helmut Schmidt
Explore Schmidt →- Diversify AI partnerships across multiple non-US, non-Chinese providers to avoid single-source dependency.How can the EU reduce its dependency on US and Chinese AI?
- Maintain European economic growth to preserve leverage over Chinese climate policy.Who would win from European degrowth—the planet, China, or nobody?
- Diversify industrial supply chains away from Chinese dependence using 1973 energy crisis lessons.How can the EU protect its economy from heavily subsidized Chinese imports?
MM
Mahathir Mohamad
Explore Mohamad →- Impose capital controls on Chinese state-backed enterprises to prevent predatory market flooding.How can the EU protect its economy from heavily subsidized Chinese imports?
- Build European industrial champions through coordinated state investment before China eliminates all competitors.How can the EU protect its economy from heavily subsidized Chinese imports?
- Implement temporary tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles while European industry builds competitive capacity.Should the EU impose trade barriers against China to protect its economy?
MF
Milton Friedman
Explore Friedman →- Eliminate the 38% tariffs on Chinese EVs to restore consumer choice and market efficiency.How can the EU protect its economy from heavily subsidized Chinese imports?
- Accept Chinese subsidies as beneficial wealth transfers from Beijing taxpayers to European consumers.How can the EU protect its economy from heavily subsidized Chinese imports?
- Allow Chinese retaliation against German machinery exports rather than escalate protection.Should the EU impose trade barriers against China to protect its economy?
Browse by topic
Recurring dilemmas
China’s rise
5 debatesWill a richer China grow freer or more assertive, and can it overtake the United States?
- Will China surpass the US in economic output and technological leadership?
- As China prospers, will its population demand democracy or greater freedoms?
- As China prospers, will its population demand democracy or greater freedoms?
- How would Confucius judge Trump's leadership?
- Will China become the new hegemon power and will it replace the role of the United States over the next decades?
Trade & decoupling
6 debatesHow far should the West decouple from Chinese manufacturing and supply?
- How can the EU protect its economy from heavily subsidized Chinese imports?
- Should the EU impose trade barriers against China to protect its economy?
- Should the Netherlands limit ASML exports to China under American pressure, or determine its position independently?
- How can the EU avoid a full-blown trade war with America and China?
- Can Vietnam position itself in a way to compete with China for manufacturing business from western countries?
- Should the EU subsidize manufacturing industries to regain independence of China?
Taiwan & military
7 debatesWould the world defend Taiwan, and should Taiwan arm itself first?
- Who would win from European degrowth—the planet, China, or nobody?
- How can the EU protect its economy from heavily subsidized Chinese imports?
- Should the EU impose trade barriers against China to protect its economy?
- How can the EU avoid a full-blown trade war with America and China?
- When China invades Taiwan, should the US protect Taiwan's democratic regime?
- Should Taiwan aggressively strengthen their military capabilities in order to fend off China?
Related themes