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 and the dynamics that impact its domestic policy agenda and external behavior

The Freeman Chair in China Studies is a leading source of insight and analysis on China’s evolving political system and the dynamics that impact its domestic policy agenda and external behavior. Our mission is to shape the public policy debate by providing timely and objective analysis that challenges the status quo and informs policymakers, the public, and corporate executives on the most important issues impacting China’s political trajectory.

Our work focuses on five key areas:

  • Leadership politics
  • Policy- and decisionmaking
  • Party-state governance
  • Political discourse and the role of ideology
  • Sources of political stability and risk

CSIS Freeman Chair in China Studies was established in the late 1990s to advance the study of China and to promote understanding between the United States and the countries of the Asia-Pacific region. The Freeman Chair in China Studies was founded and continues to be guided by the principles of 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.

Jude Blanchette

Jude Blanchette

Jude Blanchette

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Current Projects

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: Chien Chih-Hung/Office of The President/Getty Images

Photo: Chien Chih-Hung/Office of The President/Getty Images

Speaker Pelosi’s Taiwan Visit: Implications for the Indo-Pacific

CSIS experts explore the regional implications of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan and provide insight into the trajectory of this crisis.

Critical Questions by Jude Blanchette , Charles Edel , Christopher B. Johnstone , Scott Kennedy , Victor Cha , Ellen Kim , and Gregory B. Poling — August 15, 2022

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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

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To Deter Beijing, What the United States Says Matters

This commentary argues that conflicting statements by top U.S. military and defense leaders about the imminence of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan risk undermining the strength of U.S. deterrence vis-à-vis Beijing.  

Commentary by Jude Blanchette and Ryan Hass — February 2, 2023

Photo: SAM YEH/AFP/Getty Images
Pekingology

Party Building in China's Institutions

In this episode of Pekingology, Freeman Chair Jude Blanchette is joined by  Daniel Koss to discuss his work on Party-building in two recent articles.

Podcast Episode by Jude Blanchette — February 2, 2023

CSIS Pekingology

Assessing the Future Trajectory of China-Japan Relations

Please join the Interpret: China project, the CSIS Japan Chair, and a panel of leading experts for a discussion of likely trajectories for China-Japan relations, drawing on insights from newly translated Chinese primary source documents.

Event by Jude Blanchette , Christopher B. Johnstone , Bonny Lin , and Rumi Aoyama — January 31, 2023

Photo: EUGENE HOSHIKO/AFP/Getty Images

CCP Inc.: The Reshaping of China's State Capitalist System

At the conclusion of a multiyear project examining China’s state capitalist system, this CSIS report examines the changing nature of China’s domestic economic management and the international behavior of Chinese companies, state organizations, and financiers.  

Report by Barry Naughton and Briana Boland — January 31, 2023

Photo: Greg Baker/AFP/Getty Images

Press Briefing: Previewing Secretary Blinken’s China Visit

The CSIS will host a call-in press briefing on Monday, January 30, at 4:00 p.m. ET ahead of U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken’s anticipated visit to Beijing on February 5 and 6.

Event by Bonny Lin , Jude Blanchette , and Scott Kennedy — January 30, 2023

Photo: JONATHAN ERNST/POOL/AFP/Getty Images

Assessing Hong Kong’s Future as a Global Business Hub

Several years have passed since Beijing began tightening its grip on Hong Kong, most notably via the imposition of the National Security Law in 2020. How has the city’s changed political environment affected its regional and global economic competitiveness? 

Event by Jude Blanchette — January 25, 2023

Photo: SAMANTHA SIN/AFP via Getty Images

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
Pekingology

China’s Influence and Investments in Africa

In this episode of Pekingology, Freeman Chair Jude Blanchette is joined by Margaret Pearson, Distinguished Professor and Distinguished Scholar-Teacher in the Department of Government and Politics at the University of Maryland, College Park to discuss her recent research on Chinese Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Africa. Her recent works include “Does Chinese FDI in Africa Inspire Support for a China Model of Development” and “Foreign Direct Investment, Unmet Expectations and the Prospects of Political Leaders: Evidence from Chinese Investment in Africa.” 

 

Podcast Episode by Jude Blanchette — January 19, 2023

CSIS Pekingology
The Asia Chessboard

Japan Steps Up

Mike and Jude are joined by Christopher B. Johnstone to look at what Japan’s new national security strategy means for its role in the region and the U.S.-Japan alliance.

Podcast Episode by Michael J. Green , Jude Blanchette , and Christopher B. Johnstone — January 17, 2023

CSIS The Asia Chess Board