The Xi administration makes clear that China wants to be a world power. Through recent Chinese initiatives with regional and global implications, such as a new ‘silk route’ and the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment bank as well as China’s role in the South China Sea. There is no doubt that the “country in the middle” wants to reclaim its global role.

What does this mean for the world and, more specifically, for Europe? China plays already a crucial role in Latin America and in Africa. This year Europe celebrates forty years of diplomatic relations, and sees a growing number of Chinese investments in almost all sectors, but is Europe aware of what really is going on in China? Can China become a global power, and is Europe and the rest of the world ready to deal with this?

About the Speaker

Kathleen Ferrier has been living almost two years in Hong Kong now, and will talk about her experiences and vision regarding China as a upcoming power. She is involved in issues related to human rights, migration and sustainability. She is active in the EU Academic Programme, the Americas Committee of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce and the work of “The Mekong Club”, that fights modern slavery. As a public speaker and trainer she is asked to partcipate in (regional) conferences and seminars, on issues like human rights and (female) leadership.