Lily McElwee

Fellow, Freeman Chair in China Studies and CSIS-Chumir Global Dialogue
Lily McElwee

Lily McElwee serves as a fellow in the Freeman Chair in China Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). At CSIS, she also supports the CSIS-Chumir Global Dialogue, a high-level dialogue project on strategic competition and the future of world order. Her research focuses on global governance, EU-China relations, and transatlantic cooperation on China. She is a DZ Bank fellow on transatlantic business and finance with the American Council on Germany. Her work has appeared in International Affairs, The Diplomat, St Antony’s International Review, and E-International Relations. She holds a DPhil in China studies and an MSc from the University of Oxford and a BA with honors in political science from Stanford University.

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Dire Straits: China’s Push to Secure Its Energy Interests in the Middle East

To meet its vast energy needs, China is expanding its footprint along the Strait of Hormuz—a vital chokepoint for transporting oil. As Beijing looks to secure its interests in the region, it may leverage commercial inroads to further military and intelligence activities.

Digital Report by Matthew P. Funaiole , Brian Hart , and Lily McElwee — February 3, 2023

Black and White image of Chinese Naval

CCP Inc. in Argentina: China’s International Space Industry Engagement

This “CCP Inc.” case study analyzes how an ecosystem of Chinese state, commercial, diplomatic, and military actors facilitated cooperation between China and Argentina in the space sector, resulting in years of partnerships across key space technologies. 

Report by Samantha Lu , Briana Boland , and Lily McElwee — January 24, 2023

Photo: CNS/AFP/Getty Images

Indo-Pacific Forecast 2023

What is the outlook for U.S.-China relations? Which of the U.S. alliance networks in the Indo-Pacific is most promising? Will IPEF thrive? Join CSIS experts to explore these and other questions during our annual preview of political, security, and economic developments.

Event by Victor Cha , Emily Benson , Jude Blanchette , Charles Edel , Matthew P. Goodman , Christopher B. Johnstone , Scott Kennedy , Ellen Kim , and Bonny Lin , Lily McElwee , Erin L. Murphy , Yuko Nakano , Gregory B. Poling , William Alan Reinsch , Nicholas Szechenyi , Raymond Vickery , Kurt Campbell , Ambassador Taeyong Cho , Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez — January 12, 2023

Photo: Elnur/AdobeStock

How Scholz’s Unpopular Trip to Beijing Actually Served U.S. Interests

Despite criticism, the German chancellor set a good precedent. Future trips from U.S. allies and partners can gain insight into a closed-off China, probe where cooperation is still possible, and communicate unity on key concerns, even if not carried out in unison.

Commentary by Lily McElwee — November 7, 2022

Photo: JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP via Getty Images