CCP Inc.

The New Challenge of Chinese State Capitalism

Under Chinese leader Xi Jinping, China’s political and economic system has undergone a fundamental transformation, further distinguishing China’s unique brand of state capitalism from market economies, and adding additional strain on the rules, regulations, and institutions that underpin the global economic order. Most notably, Beijing has reasserted the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) control over the economy through a number of new and creative tools that have no direct comparison in free market economies. The complexity and unfamiliarity of these tools means that many of the core features of China’s economic model—and the CCP’s control over it—remain insufficiently understood by policymakers in the United States, European Union, and in other market-based democratic polities.

The Freeman Chair in China Studies has undertaken a multiyear initiative to explore and map the key features of China's evolving state capitalist system, what we call “CCP Inc.,” in order to better assess its strengths and weaknesses. The project will explore the overall ecosystem of key state-owned and private commercial actors, state-owned financiers, and government regulators to understand how these actors are interconnected through a complex and often opaque web of direct and indirect transactional, financial, strategic, operational, and political relationships. The project makes extensive use of ownership and shareholding information, financial and investment data, Chinese government policies and documents, interviews with industry executives, government officials, and subject-matter experts, as well as cutting-edge academic research to provide the first comprehensive global mapping of CCP-controlled and directed capital and investment.

The project will conclude with recommendations for policy and institutional reforms so that the United States and its market economy allies can effectively respond to the challenges of China’s state capitalist system.

Main Reports

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The project will explore key questions about the overall design and degree of state coordination, economic strength, and financial sustainability of CCP Inc.

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Supporting Analysis

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Research reports, commentary, podcasts, and translations by the Freeman Chair that further explore the CCP Inc. challenge.

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All CCP Inc. Content

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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

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

CCP Inc. in Greece: State Grid and China’s Role in the Greek Energy Sector

This case study examines the “CCP Inc.” ecosystem of Chinese officials, state-owned enterprises, policy banks, and private firms that helped State Grid and other Chinese companies gain a stake in the national electric grid and renewable energy projects in Greece.

Report by Briana Boland, Jude Blanchette, Andrew Polk, and Cory Combs — October 19, 2022

Unpacking China’s Sixth Plenum

Please join the CSIS Freeman Chair in China Studies, China Power Project, and Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics for a discussion on the key takeaways and implications of this year’s plenary session.

Event — November 29, 2021

New Approaches to Understanding Chinese State Capitalism

On Thursday, September 16, the CSIS Freeman Chair will host Jason Arterburn, Program Director at C4ADS, to discuss opportunities for using new data solutions in addressing the challenge of Chinese state capitalism.

Event — September 16, 2021