Registrations are closed, if you would like to be put on the waiting list, please mail to events@leidenasiacentre.nl, and we will inform you as soon as free spots open up

Dealing with China: Lessons from Southeast Asia, May 8 Nieuwspoort 17:15 – 19:15 hrs (reception with food and drinks from 16:45)

China’s growing influence on the economies, politics and societies of Europe has recently become an increasingly debated topic in the Netherlands and within the EU. It is no secret that the opinions on how to deal with this development vary, resulting in both welcoming and alarmist responses to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

However, Europe is not the only region faced with this issue. Actors in Southeast Asia, including ASEAN, have for many years witnessed and responded to a China that is increasingly exerting its influence abroad. Understanding the way these actors have approached this issue can result in meaningful insights for Dutch and EU policy makers. At the same time, the EU has been developing its Connectivity Strategy together with ASEAN, which already in 2010 presented their Masterplan on Connectivity.

To shed more light on these topical developments, the LeidenAsiaCentre and The Netherlands Institute for International Relations “The Clingendael Institute” will organise a public seminar during which Dr. Cheng-Chwee Kuik (The National University of Malaysia) will analyse the various responses to China’s growing influence in that region. Subsequently, Dr. Lay Hwee Yeo (EU Centre, Singapore), Anita Prakash (ERIA, Jakarta) and Dr. Maaike Okano-Heijmans (The Clingendael Institute) will take a look on how both the BRI and EU/ASEAN Connectivity initiatives affect the intensity of diplomatic relations between Asia and Europe.

Finally, a discussion with the audience will explore how and to what extent the experiences and ideas of actors in Southeast Asia and Europe can be valuable to one another.

Michel Kerres (NRC, diplomatic correspondent) will moderate the meeting.

The public seminar will take place on May 8th 17:15-19:15. We welcome everyone with drinks and finger food from 16:45.

Venue: Nieuwspoort, Lange Poten 10, 2511 CL Den Haag

Photo: (c) Angela Schmeidel Randall CC BY 2.0