Freeman Chair in China Studies

The Freeman Chair in China Studies is a leading source of insight and analysis on China’s evolving political system, domestic agenda, and foreign policy

The CSIS Freeman Chair in China Studies is a leading source of insight and analysis on China’s evolving political system, domestic agenda, and foreign policy. Our work focuses on leadership politics, policymaking and decision-making processes, party-state governance, political discourse and the role of ideology, sources of political stability and risk, and how these dynamics affect the broader world.

The Freeman Chair in China Studies was established in 1994 to advance the study of China and promote understanding between the United States and the countries of the Asia-Pacific region. It was founded by Houghton “Buck” Freeman (1921-2010).

 

Meet Our Experts

Learn more about the Freeman Chair in China Studies through our experts, staff, and non-resident affiliates.

Henrietta Levin

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Media Queries

Interpret: China

Interpret: China is a Freeman Chair in China Studies project that seeks to enable a more objective understanding of China through the translation and analysis of primary source material.

 

The project seeks to transform how policymakers, companies, researchers, journalists and the broader public understand China.

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Featured Analysis

Photo: RocknRoller Studios/Adobe Stock

Photo: RocknRoller Studios/Adobe Stock

Understanding Global South Perspectives on Taiwan

The CSIS Freeman Chair convened an international task force on Taiwan and the Global South. Members evaluated the state of Taiwan’s relationships in the Global South, opportunities to expand engagement, and Global South perspectives on cross-Strait issues.

Brief by Henrietta Levin and Hugh Grant-Chapman — January 16, 2026

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Freeman Chair Events

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Watch past Freeman Chair events and find out about our upcoming events.

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Podcasts

All Freeman Chair in China Studies Content

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What did the Trump-Xi Summit Achieve? | State of Play

The U.S.-China summit is expected to cover trade, investment, the war with Iran, and Taiwan. CSIS’s leading China experts will assess its outcomes in a special live episode of State of Play.

Event — May 15, 2026

Unpacking President Trump’s Visit to China | State of Play

President Trump’s historic state visit to China came amid heightened geopolitical tension surrounding Iran, and both sides entered the talks with sharply different priorities. Even so, the summit produced a framework for deeper cooperation and delivered several economic gains.

Commentary by Edgard D. Kagan and Bonny Lin — May 15, 2026

Pekingology

Trump and Xi Meet in China

Henrietta Levin is joined by Jon Czin to discuss the May 14-15 summit between President Trump and President Xi in Beijing.

Podcast Episode by Henrietta Levin — May 15, 2026

CSIS Pekingology

What did the Trump-Xi Summit Achieve?

The U.S.-China summit was expected to cover trade, investment, the war with Iran, and Taiwan. CSIS’s leading China experts assessed its outcomes in a special live episode of State of Play.

Transcript — May 15, 2026

America Has Lost Its Leverage Over China

The Trump-Xi summit will reinforce a new set of implicit rules and assumptions for managing relations that ultimately favor China, argues Henrietta Levin in Foreign Affairs.

Commentary by Henrietta Levin — May 13, 2026

The Asia Chessboard

A New Security Consensus in South Korea?

Mike joins Dr. Choi Kang, President of the Seoul-based Asan Institute for Policy Studies, to break down the latest results from the Institute’s annual public opinion poll

Podcast Episode by Michael J. Green — May 12, 2026

CSIS The Asia Chess Board