Paul Kohlenberg
@pkohlenberg.bsky.social
All views here in personal capacity.
Now: Asia/China @Heinrich-Böll-Foundation 🇩🇪 Berlin.
Previously: Director @hbs/hbf China Office 🇨🇳; Researcher German Institute for International and Security Affairs.
Alum: FU Berlin, Warwick, IUP/Berkeley, Oxford.
Now: Asia/China @Heinrich-Böll-Foundation 🇩🇪 Berlin.
Previously: Director @hbs/hbf China Office 🇨🇳; Researcher German Institute for International and Security Affairs.
Alum: FU Berlin, Warwick, IUP/Berkeley, Oxford.
Reposted by Paul Kohlenberg
📚 ThinkPeace #3 is out now!
The paper sheds light on the widespread and systematic, yet largely underreported crime of enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions of Ukrainian civilians by Russian authorities.
The paper sheds light on the widespread and systematic, yet largely underreported crime of enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions of Ukrainian civilians by Russian authorities.
A Human Security Collapse: Enforced Disappearances and Detained Civilians in Russia’s War Against Ukraine | Heinrich Böll Stiftung
Enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions of Ukrainian civilians by Russian authorities are systematic and widespread, yet severely underreported. Germany and the EU must use diplomatic leverag...
www.boell.de
November 19, 2025 at 2:47 PM
📚 ThinkPeace #3 is out now!
The paper sheds light on the widespread and systematic, yet largely underreported crime of enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions of Ukrainian civilians by Russian authorities.
The paper sheds light on the widespread and systematic, yet largely underreported crime of enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions of Ukrainian civilians by Russian authorities.
👇
In the latest Drum Tower podcast, I'm joined by former co-host @dsorennie.bsky.social to ask if Germany's big bet on China is turning into a costly mistake. We also reminisce about the VW Santana and hear from Johannes Volkmann, German MP & grandson of Helmut Kohl. www.economist.com/podcasts/202...
China shock 2.0: why Germany is worried
Our weekly podcast on China. This week, could Germany’s big bet on China turn into a costly mistake?
www.economist.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:29 AM
👇
Reposted by Paul Kohlenberg
The wonderful @oonahathaway.bsky.social does not hold back: our international legal order is at risk. And she has some proposals... www.theguardian.com/law/2025/nov...
Willing states must act to save international legal order, warns top academic
Yale professor says wars in Ukraine and Gaza and threats from Donald Trump risk the ‘total collapse’ of the global courts system
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:59 PM
The wonderful @oonahathaway.bsky.social does not hold back: our international legal order is at risk. And she has some proposals... www.theguardian.com/law/2025/nov...
Reposted by Paul Kohlenberg
🟢 Wir laden ein zur Buchvorstellung 📖 "Das Versagen – Eine investigative Geschichte der deutschen Russlandpolitik" I 📅 Mi, 10. Dezember 2025 I 🕕 19.30 – 21.00 Uhr I 📍 Schumannstr. 8, 10117 Berlin oder im Livestream 🎬 I Infos & Anmeldung ⬇️ calendar.boell.de/de/event/das...
Das Versagen – Eine investigative Geschichte der deutschen Russlandpolitik Mit Katja Gloger und Georg Mascolo im Gespräch mit Franziska Brantner
Warum hielt Deutschland so lange an der Vorstellung fest, Russland sei ein verlässlicher Partner? Welche Fehleinschätzungen prägten die deutsche Haltung gegenüber Wladimir Putin und warum blieb Angela...
calendar.boell.de
November 6, 2025 at 12:51 PM
🟢 Wir laden ein zur Buchvorstellung 📖 "Das Versagen – Eine investigative Geschichte der deutschen Russlandpolitik" I 📅 Mi, 10. Dezember 2025 I 🕕 19.30 – 21.00 Uhr I 📍 Schumannstr. 8, 10117 Berlin oder im Livestream 🎬 I Infos & Anmeldung ⬇️ calendar.boell.de/de/event/das...
Reposted by Paul Kohlenberg
The EU must clarify its China policy and embed it as a clear conditionality in the accession process, writes Vladimir Shopov @ecfrasia.bsky.social
https://bit.ly/4nGowUG
https://bit.ly/4nGowUG
Eyes wide shut: How to read China’s playbook in the Western Balkans
The global order no longer favours Western dominance, and Europe’s peripheries have become battlegrounds for competing powers. Yet, the EU’s enlargement policy has not kept pace with this new…
ecfr.eu
November 6, 2025 at 10:00 AM
The EU must clarify its China policy and embed it as a clear conditionality in the accession process, writes Vladimir Shopov @ecfrasia.bsky.social
https://bit.ly/4nGowUG
https://bit.ly/4nGowUG
Reposted by Paul Kohlenberg
Can China lead the world on climate action? In a 6-part special report in this week's Economist, Gabriel Crossley and I explore how China became the world's green energy superpower and why it has reached a tipping point in its approach to climate change www.economist.com/special-repo...
A time that has come | Nov 8th 2025 | The Economist
A time that has come. Special reports from The Economist. You've seen the news, now discover the story.
www.economist.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Can China lead the world on climate action? In a 6-part special report in this week's Economist, Gabriel Crossley and I explore how China became the world's green energy superpower and why it has reached a tipping point in its approach to climate change www.economist.com/special-repo...
"The non-colonials can decolonize but in a way that does not challenge the decolonization of the ex-colonials."
resolve.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Interesting read on
"the strategic use of customary international law and ancient literature in the South China Sea dispute"
resolve.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Interesting read on
"the strategic use of customary international law and ancient literature in the South China Sea dispute"
Can the Non-Colonials Decolonize? | American Journal of International Law | Cambridge Core
Can the Non-Colonials Decolonize? - Volume 119
resolve.cambridge.org
November 4, 2025 at 4:21 PM
"The non-colonials can decolonize but in a way that does not challenge the decolonization of the ex-colonials."
resolve.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Interesting read on
"the strategic use of customary international law and ancient literature in the South China Sea dispute"
resolve.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Interesting read on
"the strategic use of customary international law and ancient literature in the South China Sea dispute"
"China has offset the decline from America with breathtaking speed. Shipments to other parts of the world have surged this year, (...) Chinese exports are on track to reach another record this year." www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
November 4, 2025 at 11:20 AM
"China has offset the decline from America with breathtaking speed. Shipments to other parts of the world have surged this year, (...) Chinese exports are on track to reach another record this year." www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Paul Kohlenberg
Deutschland auf dem Weg ins Industriemuseum? Deutliche Kritik von EWE-Chef Stefan Dohler an der Energiepolitik der Bundesregierung. Bremsen könne keine Strategie zum Überholen im globalen Wettbewerb sein kann. www.fr.de/wirtschaft/f...
„Führt Deutschland ins Industriemuseum“: EWE-Chef warnt Merz-Regierung
EWE-Chef Stefan Dohler kritisiert die Energiepolitik der Regierung. Er warnt vor einer Verlangsamung der Energiewende. Die Innovationskraft könnte leiden.
www.fr.de
November 4, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Deutschland auf dem Weg ins Industriemuseum? Deutliche Kritik von EWE-Chef Stefan Dohler an der Energiepolitik der Bundesregierung. Bremsen könne keine Strategie zum Überholen im globalen Wettbewerb sein kann. www.fr.de/wirtschaft/f...
Reposted by Paul Kohlenberg
Abhängigkeiten abbauen kostet Geld. Aber Sicherheit und Unabhängigkeit sind nun mal keine kostenlosen Güter, man muss in sie investieren. Nach der Erfahrung mit Russland sollte es für uns selbstverständlich sein, das zu tun.
www.welt.de/politik/deut...
www.welt.de/politik/deut...
Norbert Röttgen: „Wir haben diese Realität ignoriert. Jetzt fühlt sich China stark genug“ - WELT
Strategische Politik im Umgang mit China? Fehlanzeige, kritisiert CDU-Außenpolitiker Röttgen. Nach wie vor mache sich die Bundesrepublik „erpressbar“ durch die Diktatur. Peking schätze Deutschland heu...
www.welt.de
November 2, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Abhängigkeiten abbauen kostet Geld. Aber Sicherheit und Unabhängigkeit sind nun mal keine kostenlosen Güter, man muss in sie investieren. Nach der Erfahrung mit Russland sollte es für uns selbstverständlich sein, das zu tun.
www.welt.de/politik/deut...
www.welt.de/politik/deut...
Reposted by Paul Kohlenberg
Auch wenn im Handelskonflikt der USA mit China alle kurz durchatmen: Im Dreieck Trump, Xi & EU dürfen wir nicht untergehen. Wir müssen als EU nicht nur als Anhängsel der USA auftreten, sondern eine viel eigenständigere Politik machen, sage ich der tagesschau
www.tagesschau.de/ausland/euro...
www.tagesschau.de/ausland/euro...
EU reagiert zurückhaltend auf Handelsdeal zwischen USA und China
Angesichts der Entspannung im Handelsstreit zwischen den USA und China zeigt sich die EU erleichtert. Der Deal könnte bei eigenen Verhandlungen mit Peking helfen. Doch in Brüssel ist auch klar: Die EU...
www.tagesschau.de
October 31, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Auch wenn im Handelskonflikt der USA mit China alle kurz durchatmen: Im Dreieck Trump, Xi & EU dürfen wir nicht untergehen. Wir müssen als EU nicht nur als Anhängsel der USA auftreten, sondern eine viel eigenständigere Politik machen, sage ich der tagesschau
www.tagesschau.de/ausland/euro...
www.tagesschau.de/ausland/euro...
Reposted by Paul Kohlenberg
Party-to-party talks between Germany’s Social Democrats and China’s Communist Party are a relic from another era. But SPD Vice Chancellor/Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil is keeping the tradition alive. He risks becoming a pawn in Beijing’s divide and rule game
Scoop:
Despite the crisis in German China relations, German vice chancellor Lars Klingbeil is expected in Beijing next month to chair party to party talks between his Social Democrat Party and the Chinese Communist Party
Despite the crisis in German China relations, German vice chancellor Lars Klingbeil is expected in Beijing next month to chair party to party talks between his Social Democrat Party and the Chinese Communist Party
Exclusive | Germany’s vice-chancellor to lead Social Democrat-Communist Party talks
Lars Klingbeil’s decision to chair talks comes after the German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul was forced to cancel a trip to Beijing.
www.scmp.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Party-to-party talks between Germany’s Social Democrats and China’s Communist Party are a relic from another era. But SPD Vice Chancellor/Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil is keeping the tradition alive. He risks becoming a pawn in Beijing’s divide and rule game
Reposted by Paul Kohlenberg
ASEAN Regional Press Review, October 2025
th.boell.org/en/media/fil...
To subscribe to our press review and to see archives from year 2019 to 2025, check out the link below 👇
bit.ly/4nuOla6
th.boell.org/en/media/fil...
To subscribe to our press review and to see archives from year 2019 to 2025, check out the link below 👇
bit.ly/4nuOla6
October 29, 2025 at 11:35 AM
ASEAN Regional Press Review, October 2025
th.boell.org/en/media/fil...
To subscribe to our press review and to see archives from year 2019 to 2025, check out the link below 👇
bit.ly/4nuOla6
th.boell.org/en/media/fil...
To subscribe to our press review and to see archives from year 2019 to 2025, check out the link below 👇
bit.ly/4nuOla6
Reposted by Paul Kohlenberg
Far as I can tell, the five-year plan recommendations are the first time that the Central Committee has explicitly called for electrification of energy use. The previous five-year plans only had it in the energy sector plan, so elevating it to the top level is significant.
The construction of a “new power system” that can efficiently integrate renewables still needs to be “accelerated”. Other areas of acceleration are electricity storage, which should be “developed vigorously”, and electrification of final energy consumption.
October 29, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Far as I can tell, the five-year plan recommendations are the first time that the Central Committee has explicitly called for electrification of energy use. The previous five-year plans only had it in the energy sector plan, so elevating it to the top level is significant.
Reposted by Paul Kohlenberg
The new issue of the Made in China Journal is out! This time we explore what it means to come of age in China today, at a moment when the paths to adulthood are increasingly uncertain, yet the pressure to succeed remains relentless. Download the whole issue at madeinchinajournal.com/2025/10/27/b...
October 28, 2025 at 10:01 AM
The new issue of the Made in China Journal is out! This time we explore what it means to come of age in China today, at a moment when the paths to adulthood are increasingly uncertain, yet the pressure to succeed remains relentless. Download the whole issue at madeinchinajournal.com/2025/10/27/b...
Reposted by Paul Kohlenberg
EU and China parliaments aim to hold their first talks in 7 years on October 16 – SCMP: ‘It is expected that this meeting will set in motion a biannual exchange, with MEPs set to travel to Beijing in May 2026 for a return leg.’
EU, China parliaments aim to hold their first talks in 7 years on October 16
Sources say invitations will be sent to Beijing imminently, with date and agenda still to be confirmed.
www.scmp.com
September 18, 2025 at 7:20 AM
EU and China parliaments aim to hold their first talks in 7 years on October 16 – SCMP: ‘It is expected that this meeting will set in motion a biannual exchange, with MEPs set to travel to Beijing in May 2026 for a return leg.’
Reposted by Paul Kohlenberg
Read our partner organisations’ reports:
InterSecLab interseclab.org/research/
Amnesty www.amnesty.org/en/documents...
Justice For Myanmar www.justiceformyanmar.org/stories/silk...
Follow The Money www.ftm.eu/articles/how...
InterSecLab interseclab.org/research/
Amnesty www.amnesty.org/en/documents...
Justice For Myanmar www.justiceformyanmar.org/stories/silk...
Follow The Money www.ftm.eu/articles/how...
Research - InterSecLab
Research and Investigation In-depth research on a range of topics related to digital security, including stalkerware, the evolving tactics of […]
interseclab.org
September 9, 2025 at 4:53 AM
Read our partner organisations’ reports:
InterSecLab interseclab.org/research/
Amnesty www.amnesty.org/en/documents...
Justice For Myanmar www.justiceformyanmar.org/stories/silk...
Follow The Money www.ftm.eu/articles/how...
InterSecLab interseclab.org/research/
Amnesty www.amnesty.org/en/documents...
Justice For Myanmar www.justiceformyanmar.org/stories/silk...
Follow The Money www.ftm.eu/articles/how...
Re China-EU Summit: Any language that differentiates between "big guys" in the international society 中欧都是国际社会中的“大个子” (and, by extention, small guys) should be viewed as problematic - because it runs counter to the foundational principles of international law.
news.cctv.cn/2025/07/24/A...
news.cctv.cn/2025/07/24/A...
news.cctv.cn
July 24, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Re China-EU Summit: Any language that differentiates between "big guys" in the international society 中欧都是国际社会中的“大个子” (and, by extention, small guys) should be viewed as problematic - because it runs counter to the foundational principles of international law.
news.cctv.cn/2025/07/24/A...
news.cctv.cn/2025/07/24/A...
Reposted by Paul Kohlenberg
Charles Michel shows his ignorance by blaming the lack of a joint statement at today’s EU-China summit on EU disunity. In fact it is a sign of progress (and unity) that empty joint statements are no longer accepted by the EU.
www.euractiv.com/section/poli...
www.euractiv.com/section/poli...
Charles Michel asks: ‘Where’s the EU’s China policy?’ - Euractiv
In today’s edition of The Capitals, read about a Ukrainian MP hitting back at Brussels' corruption warnings, a scoop on the Commission reviving the equality law, and ambassadors landing in Greenland.
www.euractiv.com
July 24, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Charles Michel shows his ignorance by blaming the lack of a joint statement at today’s EU-China summit on EU disunity. In fact it is a sign of progress (and unity) that empty joint statements are no longer accepted by the EU.
www.euractiv.com/section/poli...
www.euractiv.com/section/poli...
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Tianjin Summit to be held from August 31 to Sept 1
Xi: SCO should unite & lead the Global South in building a more just and equitable global governance system, pooling immense strength for the building of a community with a shared future for humanity
Xi: SCO should unite & lead the Global South in building a more just and equitable global governance system, pooling immense strength for the building of a community with a shared future for humanity
July 16, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Tianjin Summit to be held from August 31 to Sept 1
Xi: SCO should unite & lead the Global South in building a more just and equitable global governance system, pooling immense strength for the building of a community with a shared future for humanity
Xi: SCO should unite & lead the Global South in building a more just and equitable global governance system, pooling immense strength for the building of a community with a shared future for humanity
"China will host the third China-Central Asia Summit in 2027"
➡️2027 will be the 10 year anniversary of the first BRI Forum, therefore it's not unlikely that a number of such regional summits could serve as backdrop to convene another big BRI forum. We'll see..
www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/xw/z...
➡️2027 will be the 10 year anniversary of the first BRI Forum, therefore it's not unlikely that a number of such regional summits could serve as backdrop to convene another big BRI forum. We'll see..
www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/xw/z...
July 14, 2025 at 9:44 AM
"China will host the third China-Central Asia Summit in 2027"
➡️2027 will be the 10 year anniversary of the first BRI Forum, therefore it's not unlikely that a number of such regional summits could serve as backdrop to convene another big BRI forum. We'll see..
www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/xw/z...
➡️2027 will be the 10 year anniversary of the first BRI Forum, therefore it's not unlikely that a number of such regional summits could serve as backdrop to convene another big BRI forum. We'll see..
www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/xw/z...
"...what China wants is a frozen conflict, giving it maximum leverage over all groups."
China is benefiting from the hell in Myanmar
www.economist.com/asia/2025/06...
China is benefiting from the hell in Myanmar
www.economist.com/asia/2025/06...
China is benefiting from the hell in Myanmar
It didn’t create the civil war. But it is playing both sides
www.economist.com
June 8, 2025 at 7:57 AM
"...what China wants is a frozen conflict, giving it maximum leverage over all groups."
China is benefiting from the hell in Myanmar
www.economist.com/asia/2025/06...
China is benefiting from the hell in Myanmar
www.economist.com/asia/2025/06...
acceleration in recent years is really quite astonishing
South Korea gender divide update 😲
Young men lean right by 50 points
(74% conservative vs 24% centre-left)
Young women lean left by 22 points
(58% centre-left vs 36% cons)
Young men lean right by 50 points
(74% conservative vs 24% centre-left)
Young women lean left by 22 points
(58% centre-left vs 36% cons)
June 4, 2025 at 7:25 PM
acceleration in recent years is really quite astonishing
Reposted by Paul Kohlenberg
What the Hong Kong government means when they use "lawful". We need to make sure we remember.
hongkongfp.com/2025/06/03/a...
hongkongfp.com/2025/06/03/a...
Tiananmen anniversary: ‘Any activity on any date’ must be lawful - HK leader
HK Chief Executive John Lee has said that “any activity on any date” must comply with the law - ahead of the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown on Wednesday.
hongkongfp.com
June 4, 2025 at 9:50 AM
What the Hong Kong government means when they use "lawful". We need to make sure we remember.
hongkongfp.com/2025/06/03/a...
hongkongfp.com/2025/06/03/a...
Reposted by Paul Kohlenberg
Carrots in the form of planes and sticks in the form of a rare earth controls. Pretty transparent message from Beijing before a July summit with the EU. Will Europe play this coercion game? The Merz-Trump meeting tomorrow has taken on added importance
China is considering placing an order for hundreds of Airbus SE aircraft as soon as next month, when European leaders visit Beijing to celebrate the countries’ long-term ties, according to people familiar with the matter.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
China Considers Ordering Hundreds of Airbus Jets in Major Deal
China is considering placing an order for hundreds of Airbus SE aircraft as soon as next month, when European leaders visit Beijing to celebrate the countries’ long-term ties, according to people fami...
www.bloomberg.com
June 4, 2025 at 6:07 AM
Carrots in the form of planes and sticks in the form of a rare earth controls. Pretty transparent message from Beijing before a July summit with the EU. Will Europe play this coercion game? The Merz-Trump meeting tomorrow has taken on added importance