Trends in China’s Posture: Implications for Japan and Beyond

In collaboration with the Japanese Embassy in Belgium, the Japan Chair at the Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy organised a public lecture with Professor Akio Takahara entitled: ‘Trends in China’s Posture: Implications for Japan and Beyond’, and moderated by Eva Pejsova, Japan Chair.

Recent years have seen China’s assertiveness reaching new heights. President Xi Jinping’s third term in office marks a shift towards a more authoritarian rule, with tightening grip on the party, human rights, and individual freedoms in the country. At the same time, Beijing’s increasing closeness with Moscow and support of Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine plummeted its image internationally, raising concerns over the ramifications for regional security and stability.

The guest speaker was Prof. Akio Takahara, a Professor of Contemporary Chinese Politics at the Graduate Schools for Law and Politics, at The University of Tokyo. He serves as senior adjunct fellow of the Japan Institute of International Affairs, senior fellow of the Japan Forum on International Relations, and Director of the JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development. During the lecture he addressed questions such as: What are the main features of China’s new security posture? What are the current political trends regarding Taiwan? And what does it mean for China – Japan relations?

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