<p class="rtejustify">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 major world powers. This new status is challenging the global balance of power, raising questions and awakening fears. The European Union and its member states are seeking to adapt their position vis-à-vis China, to face its new diplomatic assertiveness, the rise of its military and technological capacities, and to deal with the Sino-American rivalry. However, since Beijing's international policy cannot be dissociated from its domestic context, it is also necessary to analyze the internal political dynamics that dictate foreign policy choices.</p>

<p class="rtejustify"><span style="color:rgb(88, 88, 88); font-family:helvetica neue,helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px">Through its research activities,&nbsp;</span><strong><a href="https://admin.ifri.org/en/recherche/zones-geographiques/asie&quot; style="box-sizing: border-box; background: transparent; color: rgb(0, 106, 154); text-decoration-line: none;">Ifri's Center for Asian Studies</a></strong><span style="color:rgb(88, 88, 88); font-family:helvetica neue,helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px">&nbsp;aims to provide a better understanding of contemporary China and its position on the world stage.</span></p>