Full report: merics.org/sites/defaul...

Ireland chapter: merics.org/en/ireland-b...

Aggressive US moves could unintentionally push Ireland closer to Beijing, dramatically shifting Ireland's strategic landscape. A critical geopolitical moment.
Link in comments—keen to discuss. 3/3 @merics.bsky.social @ETNC @rielcano.bsky.social
#IrelandChina #Geopolitics #FDI

Dublin faces unprecedented US pressures due to Trump's reshoring agenda. As US companies reconsider their Irish presence, China emerges as an intriguing alternative partner. 2/3

www.ft.com/content/324e...

These policies reflect the CCP’s ongoing challenge: balancing short-term economic needs, long-term strategy, and public expectations. As the NPC unfolds, these themes will be key to watch.
Full report here: bit.ly/4ilf1rC
#China #NPC #CCP #Policy #Economy #UrbanRenewal #PrivateSector

🔹 Private Economy Promotion Law: Designed to steer private capital into strategic industries, reducing reliance on public funds while advancing long-term economic goals.

🔹 Urban Renewal: A tool for economic expansion and social stability, aimed at stabilizing the property market and improving livelihoods—while reinforcing government legitimacy.

Tracking key developments from the Third Plenum (July 2024) to the NPC (March 2025), I examine how the Party-state shapes policy in response to economic and political pressures. Two major priorities stand out:

📢 My latest report, just published by @merics.bsky.social, takes a deep dive into China’s policymaking process:
➡️ "Read the CCP’s Policy Priorities: A Glimpse into the Black Box of China’s Policymaking Process."

I conclude that the economic slowdown and youth unemployment combined with efforts to foster patriotism, may shift attitudes in society and especially among young people where more may come to view military service as a viable career path. 10/10

At yesterday's Central Economic Work Conference, the CCP seemed to acknowledge nearly three-year slump of its economy, calling for a “more proactive fiscal policy” and a “moderately loose monetary policy” to address these economic headwinds. 9/10

In the end, considerations shaped by material circumstances seem to matter most to those considering a military career in China. 8/10

Or, being sent to New Zealand (新西兰= 新疆，西藏，兰州）to “pull weeds” (拔草), a euphemism for being assigned to far away desolate places in China to do menial tasks was another major discouraging reason. 7/10

While on the other hand, various reasons were given against joining the military via an academy. The option of alternative career paths of a police officer or teacher offer similar benefits but less hardships.6/10

The financial benefits associated with joining a military academy to become an officer was THE standout reason for considering a military career. Free education, room & board, medical benefits and a guaranteed job once your service ends makes the life of a Commissioned Officer an attractive one.5/10

Together with colleagues from @chinaspektrum.bsky.social at the University of Trier, we looked at how people online view joining the military. Specifically, we looked at comments posted under videos about entering a military academy in China on Bilibili, a Chinese video platform. 4/10