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).
Contact Information
- Michael Knaak
- Program Manager, Freeman Chair in China Studies
- 202-775-7316
- mknaak@csis.org
Media Queries
- H. Andrew Schwartz
- Chief Communications Officer
- 202.775.3242
- aschwartz@csis.org
- Paige Montfort
- Media Relations Manager, External Relations
- 202.775.3173
- pmontfort@csis.org
Current Projects
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.
Featured Analysis

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

Central Questions in U.S.-China Relations amid Global Turbulence
Commentary by Ryan Hass and Jude Blanchette — July 21, 2022

Best and Bosom Friends: Why China-Russia Ties Will Deepen after Russia’s War on Ukraine
Brief by Andrea Kendall-Taylor and David O. Shullman — June 22, 2022
All content by Freeman Chair in China Studies
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Party Building in China's Institutions
Podcast Episode by Jude Blanchette — February 2, 2023

Assessing the Future Trajectory of China-Japan Relations
Event by Jude Blanchette , Christopher B. Johnstone , Bonny Lin , and Rumi Aoyama — January 31, 2023
CCP Inc.: The Reshaping of China's State Capitalist System
Report by Barry Naughton and Briana Boland — January 31, 2023
Press Briefing: Previewing Secretary Blinken’s China Visit
Event by Bonny Lin , Jude Blanchette , and Scott Kennedy — January 30, 2023
Assessing Hong Kong’s Future as a Global Business Hub
Event by Jude Blanchette — January 25, 2023
CCP Inc. in Argentina: China’s International Space Industry Engagement
Report by Samantha Lu , Briana Boland , and Lily McElwee — January 24, 2023
Book Event - Overreach: How China Derailed its Peaceful Rise
Event by Jude Blanchette and Susan Shirk — January 20, 2023
China’s Influence and Investments in Africa
Podcast Episode by Jude Blanchette — January 19, 2023

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

