Lily McElwee

Fellow, Freeman Chair in China Studies
Lily McElwee

Lily McElwee serves as a fellow in the Freeman Chair in China Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Her research interests include U.S.-China relations, EU-China relations, and global governance. She is also a DZ bank fellow in transatlantic business and finance with the American Council on Germany and a CSIS-USC U.S.-Korea NextGen scholar. 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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Xi Goes to Moscow: A Marriage of Inconvenience?

While Xi’s recent trip to Moscow made headlines, the limits of the bilateral relationship are clear for Putin. China will seek to cash in on Russia’s rising isolation to advance its bid for a more multipolar global order while continuing to frustrate key Kremlin demands.

Commentary by Lily McElwee , Maria Snegovaya , Alexandra Chopenko , and Tina Dolbaia — March 28, 2023

The Truth of the Matter

China-Russia: A New Cold War?

CSIS’s Lily McElwee and Maria Snegovaya join the podcast to discuss the Xi-Putin summit in Russia, and what it means for the United States. 

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz , Maria Snegovaya , and Lily McElwee — March 24, 2023

CSIS the truth of the matter

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

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

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

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