China's Power: Up for Debate 2026

In-person registration for this event is now closed. Attendees may still register to attend this event virtually.

Please join the CSIS China Power Project on October 28–29 for the 10th anniversary of the China Power Conference. This year's event brings together leading experts for two days of discussion on core issues underpinning China's power. Join us in person or online to explore the current state of U.S.-China relations, China's evolving power across multiple dimensions, Beijing's foreign and security policy, and the trajectory of U.S.-China competition. 

Agenda: 

Wednesday, October 28

• 2:20-2:25 pm: Opening Remarks, Alex Kisling

• 2:30-3:30 pm: Panel: A Decade of Changes: Taking Stock of China’s Evolving Power (Bonnie Glaser, Scott Kennedy, I-Chung Lai, Yasuhiro Matsuda)

• 3:45-4:45 pm: Panel: The Current State of US-China Relations
  (Edgard Kagan, Evan Medeiros, Randall Schriver, Xiangwei Wang)

Thursday, October 29 

• 9:20-9:25 am: Public Debate Kickoff, Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) (Virtual Remarks)

• 9:30-11:00 am: Debate I: As China’s power grows it will be more willing to militarily support and defend its closest international friends
  Brian Hart vs. Michael Swaine 

• 11:15 am-12:45 pm: Debate II: De-escalation between China and Japan back to the levels seen prior to November 2025 is impossible within the next five years 
  Yasuhiro Matsuda vs. Sheila Smith

• 12:45-1:30 pm: Lunch 

• 1:30-3:00 pm: Debate III:  In the next decade, a China-dominated BRICS will displace the G7 as the most influential international grouping
  Edgard Kagan vs. Sarang Shidore

• 3:00 pm: Closing Remarks, Bonny Lin 

This event is made possible by the generous support of the Andrew Carnegie Foundation.