26/03/2024
As the European Union (EU) prepares for a new round of parliamentary elections, how should the bloc consider its strategy towards China?
Asia
Asia is now a nerve center for global economic activity and a theatre of some of the most critical political and security developments of our time. The Center for Asian Studies provides documented expertise and a platform of discussion on Asian issues that seeks to accompany decision makers and explain and contextualize developments in the region for the sake of a larger public dialogue.
Ifri's Center for Asian Studies’ research is organized along three major axes: regionalism and intra-regional relationships in Asia; relations between Asia’s major powers (China, Japan, India) and the rest of the world; and internal political, economic and social dynamics of Asian countries. This research focuses primarily on China, India and Japan, but also increasingly covers the Korean peninsula, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands and the Indo-Pacific Strategies.
The Center organizes closed-door roundtables, expert-level seminars and a number of public events, including an Annual Conference, that welcome experts from Asia, Europe and the United States. The Center’s researchers regularly participate in international conferences, particularly in Asia. Their work, as well as that of their partners, is regularly published in the Center’s electronic journal Asie.Visions.
Marc JULIENNE
Director, Center for Asian Studies, Ifri
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Céline PAJON
Research Fellow, Head of Japan Research, Coordinator of the Program on Pacific Islands,
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John SEAMAN
Research Fellow, Center for Asian Studies
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Christian LECHERVY
Advisor to the Program on Pacific Islands, Center for Asian Studies
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Françoise NICOLAS
Senior Advisor, Center for Asian Studies
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Isabelle SAINT-MEZARD
Associate Research Fellow, Center for Asian Studies
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Over the past decade or so Southeast Asia has gone through multiple developments which usher in an era of alarming political uncertainty. While several countries were thought to be heading toward democracy (Myanmar, Thailand), recent events suggest that vested interests die hard and that...
In 2017, Secretary General Xi Jinping said: "This is an era that will see China move closer to the center of the world stage". The People's Republic of China is indeed at a pivotal moment in its history, gradually acquiring all the components of power and competing with, if not surpassing, the...
Malgré son émergence depuis la fin des années 1990, l’Inde peine à entraîner ses voisins dans sa dynamique de croissance autant qu’à pacifier l’ensemble de sa sous-région. L’Asie du Sud reste marquée par de fortes tensions, avec des zones exposées à des niveaux élevés de violence intra-étatique ...
As the international system undergoes a major overhaul, Japan is emerging as one pillar of the multilateral rules-based order. Despite being often perceived as a declining country, it remains the world's third largest economy and, as a member of the RCEP, CP-TPP and the Japan-EU Economic...
One of the few countries that managed to successfully transform itself from an aid-receiving country to a donor country, South Korea is an economic success story which is often seen as a role model for emerging countries in the region and beyond. Its foreign policy seeks to capitalize on these...
France and the European Union (EU) have issued their own Indo-Pacific strategies meant to enhance their commitment in this strategic area. Until now, the Pacific Islands – the member states and territories of the Pacific Community (SPC) – have received little attention despite their strategic...
An area long reserved to specialists of “Greater China” and overlooked in European policy circles, Taiwan has succeeded in carving out an important space for itself on the international scene in recent years. Its management of the Covid-19 crisis has proven exemplary. Its approach to managing new...
The Indo-Pacific is today a key geopolitical concept that informs the strategies of major international players. A maritime space encompassing the Indian and Pacific Oceans, the Indo-Pacific is above all a political construct that reflects the competition for influence revolving around the Sino...
09/02/2024
In recent years, South Korea’s ascent in the global arms market has been remarkable. This surge, particularly amid a shifting geopolitical landscape and the ongoing Ukraine-Russia War, has captured the attention of security watchers worldwide.
07/02/2024
Indonesia is gearing up for its next general election on February 14, with a potential runoff scheduled in late June. This major electoral process will determine the nation’s next president and vice-president since incumbent President Joko Widodo, also known as Jokowi, will step down after ten...
24/01/2024
The advent of the 21st century has witnessed the rise of the space industry as a pivotal arena of technological innovation, economic opportunity, and geopolitical significance. Amidst this global landscape, South Korea has emerged as an increasingly influential player in space...
19/01/2024
In only three decades, China has become one of the world’s top space powers. At the turn of the 2020s, almost suddenly, China became the main challenger to the US, although with a significant remaining gap to bridge.
19/01/2024
On January 13, 2024, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was reelected for an unprecedented third consecutive term since popular elections began in 1996.
09/01/2024
On January 13th the young Taiwanese democracy will hold its 8th presidential election since direct universal suffrage began in 1996. The same day, the people of Taiwan will elect a new Parliament – the Legislative Yuan – which will start its term on February 1st. President Tsai Ingwen’s second...
23/11/2023
The South Pacific Defence Ministers Meeting (SPDMM) is taking place in Nouméa (New Caledonia) from December 4th to 6th of this year.
27/10/2023
A new Cold War-style race to the moon seems to be in the making. The People’s Republic of China and the United States are both investing in moon exploration with manned lunar scientific stations as the ultimate goal.
10/10/2023
As US-China rivalry reaches its peak and the likelihood of a high-intensity conflict in the region seems greater than ever, this report advocates for a pragmatic recalibration of France’s strategic posture in the Indo-Pacific. This adjustment should be grounded in a realistic reframing of...
19
Mar
2024
from 09:30 to 11:00
- Seminars and Round-table Conferences
Renewed tensions on the Korean peninsula, what to expect?
Tensions in the Korean Peninsula have been growing in recent months. North Korea has named South Korea its "principle enemy" and declared that his country has abandoned the goal of reunification.
11
Jan
2024
from 09:30 to 11:00
- Seminars and Round-table Conferences
Expansion of the South Korean Defense Industry: Key Features and Implications for Europe
In recent years, South Korea's ascent in the global arms market has been nothing short of remarkable, with its arms sales skyrocketing to $17.3 billion in 2022.
20
Nov
2023
from 10:30 to 12:00
- Seminars and Round-table Conferences
Is NATO going East? NATO and the cooperation with Indo-Pacific partners
In 2022, NATO acknowledged China's growing influence and military modernization as significant challenges, recognizing the Indo-Pacific region's strategic importance.
20
Oct
2023
from 09:30 to 17:00
- Conférences
Economic Security and East Asia: De-risking in an Era of Strategic Competition Conference
Annual Conference of Ifri's Center for Asian and Indo-Pacific Studies. As strategic competition becomes an increasingly dominant feature of the international system today, the “de-risking” of interdependent economic ties has emerged as a new mantra for managing geopolitical uncertainty.
29
Aug
2023
from 09:30 to 11:00
- Videoconferences
G7 Hiroshima Summit: What type of Japanese and European leadership in a fragmented world? Webinaire
The G7 summit in Hiroshima showcased a new international order in the making.
20
Mar
2023
from 17:00 to 18:30
- Conférences
The War in Ukraine and Rising Global Tensions: A Southeast Asian Perspective Hybrid Conference
A debate with Simon Tay, Chairman of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA), Associate Professor at the National University of Singapore, and Singapore’s Ambassador to Greece.
17
Mar
2023
from 09:30 to 11:00
- Videoconferences
Japan as an Upgraded Strategic Player: What Implications for the Indopacific and the Cooperation with France? Webinaire
In December 2022, Japan updated its national security and defense strategies, marking a major shift in its capacity and willingness to act as a strategic player on the international scene.
30
Jan
2023
from 09:30 to 11:00
- Videoconferences
Is the UN Security Council still relevant? France and Japan's views on the future of multilateralism Webinaire
The war in Ukraine exemplified the limitations of the UN Security Council (UNSC), as this key institution was not able to efficiently act for the maintenance of international peace and security.
08
Dec
2022
from 09:00 to 10:30
- Videoconferences
Food Security in Times of Crisis: Connecting the Pacific and Europe
More frequent climate disasters, rising sea levels, the economic fallout of Covid-19 lockdowns and the global impact of the war in Ukraine have aggravated the challenge of food insecurity for Pacific Island countries.
10
Nov
2022
from 09:30 to 11:00
- Videoconferences
After TICAD 8 - COVID, war in Ukraine and the cooperation with Africa: Views from Japan and France Webinar
The TICAD 8 – the 8th edition of the Japan-Africa Summit – was held on 27-28 August 2022 in Tunis.
28/03/2024
China continues to add new members to its International Lunar Research Station initiative, but many of these are subnational, suggesting issues attracting partners.
07/12/2023
PM Meloni makes move after calculating that membership failed to yield benefits.Italy's decision to pull out of China's Belt and Road Initiative has placed a spotlight on the relationship between the two countries and comes at an awkward time for Beijing, a day ahead of a summit it is holding...
02/11/2023
Ship-to-shore cranes tower high above choppy waters and colorful containers on the Ligurian coast of northern Italy. Sailors coming in to dock are greeted with a smorgasbord of transportation industry names and logos, from Denmark's Maersk to Taiwan's Evergreen. Harder to spot is COSCO, the...
04/08/2023
President offers 'alternative' for states squeezed between U.S. and China
23/06/2023
HAMBURG, Germany -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang avoided public clashes on a high-profile visit to Germany and France this week, in what analysts see as a sign of the European nations' reluctance to alienate Beijing.
Germany (Cerfa) - Asia - China - Taïwan - Europe
11/05/2023
While the impact of Kishida’s tour is ‘marginal, it can still send ‘a message of solidarity’ that it intends to take the continent’s concerns seriously. Getting the African countries to take active measures against Russia will be difficult if they are not offered strong incentives in exchange,...
27/04/2023
French President Emmanuel Macron's call for Europe to steer clear of a Taiwan conflict -- rooted in France's pride and deep-seated resistance to following America's lead -- has raised questions about where he and Paris really stand on China.
Asia - China - Taïwan - Indo-Pacific Strategies - Europe
12/04/2023
More realistic posture would strengthen Paris' role in Indo-Pacific region
11/04/2023
French president’s remarks follow criticism over his warning that Europe should steer clear of U.S.-China tensions over Taiwan