Pekingology How Experts Shape Chinese Foreign Policy
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Jan 22, 2026 Sabine Mokry, a Postdoctoral researcher from the University of Hamburg, dives deep into the role of expertise in shaping Chinese foreign policy. She reveals how think tanks influence policy, often translating abstract government slogans into actionable proposals. Sabine discusses the evolution of China’s international engagement, including its recent self-identification as a 'near-Arctic state.' She also highlights the significance of institutional connections to the Party in determining a think tank's impact, making for a fascinating exploration of political dynamics.
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Two Circles Of Chinese Policymaking
- China has an inner policymaking core and a broader outer ecosystem of think tanks and scholars that feed ideas into it.
- Sabine Mokry emphasizes studying the outer circle to understand how expertise enters policy debates.
Mapping China's Think Tank Ecosystem
- China has about 25 major foreign-policy think tanks with varied institutional affiliations.
- Affiliations (CAS, MFA, provincial governments) and proximity to the party state shape their roles and access.
Proximity Beats Formal Attachment
- 'Proximity to the state' depends on institutional ties, funding, recognition, and frequency of interaction with officials.
- These factors together determine how close a think tank or scholar is to policymaking.
