China has become a major force for global development in recent years, while its approach to global engagement has changed rapidly and fundamentally.
New institutions and strategic initiatives – such as the Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank, Belt and Road Initiative and China International Development Cooperation Agency- are being promoted at central government, and are driving changes in the practices of actors across the Chinese system. China has also become an important source of direct foreign investment in many countries
The IDS China Centre focuses on topics such as China’s role in global development, renewable energy and global health security. Through partnerships with leading academic institutions in China our insights are helping increase understanding of the role that China plays in development.
Recent work
Featured Opinion
The long-awaited refresh to the UK Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy (the Integrated Review, or IR) was published yesterday, two years on from the first version. The IR is the preeminent guiding document on the way…
14 March 2023
news
The UK Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, is visiting China today (Wednesday 30 August) for high-level talks with senior representatives from the Chinese government in Beijing. Billed by the FCDO as a trip to 'further British interests' it will include discussions…
30 August 2023
Opinion
The Sixth Assessment Report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) makes clear the urgent need for a fundamental transformation of our current fossil-fuel based energy system. The fear of supply shortages of these critical minerals due to surging…
20 July 2023
Opinion
Recent blogs on this site have called for academic collaboration and policy coordination with China to address global challenges including climate change and biodiversity loss, pandemics and overuse of anti-microbials, and building sustainable food systems. Here we argue for the…
Jennifer Holdaway, Fellow, International Institute for Asian Studies, University of Leiden
Sarah Cook, Visiting Researcher, Southern Centre for Inequality Studies, University of Witwatersrand
02 June 2023
Opinion
The refresh of the UK Integrated Review makes clear the UK is reappraising its relationship with China. The latest iteration gives more emphasis to diplomacy, dialogue and engagement. There is a need to think through how the UK engages China…
23 May 2023
Opinion
Food and agriculture is a major contributor to climate change, responsible for over one third of greenhouse gas emissions. Food systems are also a key driver of the biodiversity crisis threatening catastrophic loss of ecosystem functions and mass extinctions. Over…
09 May 2023
Opinion
There is no doubt that we have a greater chance of supporting development in Africa, and broader global challenges, if the two super powers of the world cooperate with each other and pull together in the same direction. IDS Research…
31 January 2023
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The Institute of Development Studies (IDS), including the IDS Centre for Rising Powers and Global Development, is the UK Anchor Institution for the China International Development Research Network (CIDRN), funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. China’s size…
projects
Combating Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in China requires a multi-pronged approach that includes the need for new effective antimicrobials. Traditionally, China has been a major producer of generic antibiotics rather than a developer, but times are changing with new government policies…
projects
Nearly 50 years since its apex, the Green Revolution (GR) – a chapter in history associated with rapid expansion in agricultural production and yields driven by science and technology – retains the power to inspire. Notwithstanding criticism emphasising its harmful…
projects
The Rising Powers in International Development Programme is looking at the growing role of civil society from the BRICS countries in the field of international development cooperation. This thematic study is working with NGOs and networks across the BRICS to…
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