Welcome to the May issue of our literature review on the systemic conflict with China. The EU is developing a new Indo-Pacific strategy and taking a tougher stance on China. The European Commission recently warned of China's "authoritarian shift" and "fundamental divergences" between the EU and China in the areas of business, human rights and global governance. The G7 foreign ministers agreed on a common stance toward an increasingly assertive China. Yet Berlin and Paris continue to give Washington the cold shoulder when it comes to the U.S. administration's efforts to build a unified front against China. This passivity has major implications for transatlantic cooperation not only on China, but also on other issues.While some of its most important allies still hesitate, Washington continues to implement its strategy of "extreme competition" with China. In his first joint address to Congress on April 28, U.S. President Biden spoke out against the forces that threaten democratic values and casted U.S.-China relations as a battle between democracy and autocracy. China continues to adhere to its ambitions to reshape the international order according to its own ideas but is experiencing that its "soft power" is being perceived with increasing skepticism, especially in Europe. In addition, China, for its part, had to learn that it cannot count on automatically converting its growing economic clout into a new geopolitical reality. Notwithstanding this, economic and technological competition continues to accelerate.In its 14th Five-Year Plan, Beijing has mapped out an economic strategy signaling greater protectionism to products not made in China. For its part, the European Commission released new policy proposals addressing economic and strategic challenges posed by China.As usual, I have tried to map the ongoing debate and point out contributions I consider essential readings. Please feel invited to comment on my selection. I look forward to your feedback. Wishing you an interesting read.

Welcome to the April issue of our literature review on the systemic conflict with China. EU-China relations have deteriorated dramatically in recent weeks. After the EU imposed sanctions against four Chinese individuals and one entity involved in human rights abuses against the Muslim minorityin Xinjiang on March 22, Beijing responded with retaliatory sanctions targeting ten EU individuals and their family members as well as four entities, including the European Council's Political and Security Committee, the subcommittee on Human Rights of the European Parliament and the think tank MERICS.China's unprecedentedly harsh response has further fueled the debate over how to deal with the People's Republic. Beijing’s retaliatory sanctions have made it unmistakably clear that it is a systemic rival to democracies around the world that will subject liberal values to their greatest test since the early days of the Cold War. Europe must position itself vis-à-vis this strategic rivalry but finds itself lacking a consistent policy. In contrast, the U.S. is in the process of implementing its strategy toward China. Against this backdrop, transatlantic cooperation on China is more important than ever. Early indications are that this collaboration is finally picking up steam. Meanwhile economic and technological competition continues to accelerate. As usual, I have tried to map the ongoing debate and point out contributions I consider essential readings. Please feel invited to comment on my selection. I look forward to your feedback. Wishing you an interesting read.

Throughout 2020, social cohesion in Germany proved largely robust. But there are growing signs that it is at risk. Both young people and those living in precarious circumstances are particularly worried about the future and experience less compassion. We must act now to counteract these developments.

Fellows have now been chosen for the new Europe-wide fellowship program dedicated to increasing inclusion and diversity in digital society. The selected projects will receive six months of consulting and financial support which will allow them to further develop their ideas and strengthen civil society perspectives within the process of digitalization. Jointly launched by the Bertelsmann Stiftung and Superrr Lab, the initiative takes place in cooperation with the Allianz Kulturstiftung and Goethe-Institut.

How can progress be actively created against the backdrop of a multidimensional world? "United in a Fragile World - Defining the Fineline between Progress and Improvement" focusses on the differentiation of both term in order to overcome current challenges and to build a better future.

Welcome to the March issue of our literature review on the systemic conflict with China. The EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) has dominated public discussions about transatlantic cooperation on China since late December and produced some early strains between European policymakers and the new U.S. administration. However, such cooperation still holds great promise. How this potential can be unleashed is the subject of intense debate and, therefore, a focus of this review. At the same time, the strategic competition between the U.S. and China continues to unfold. How this competition can be managed to avoid war is the single most important question of all. Europe must position itself vis-à-vis this strategic rivalry but finds itself in lack of a consistent policy.Another focus of the review is China's response to the escalating strategic competition with the United States, which is characterized by confidence and caution, as well as Beijing’s crimes against humanity, most notably the atrocities it is committing against the Uyghurs in Xinjiang. This review also covers contributions on economic and technological competition, two key arenas of the systemic rivalry with China. As usual, I have tried to map the ongoing debate and point out contributions I consider essential readings. Please feel invited to comment on my selection. I look forward to your feedback. Thanks for reading.

Welcome to the February issue of our literature review on the new systemic conflict with China. On January 22, 2021 the European Commission published the text of the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) following the agreement “in principle announced” on December 30, 2020. The CAI has unleashed a firestorm of criticism in Europe and among the EU's key partners, directed both at the deal itself and at the timing and political context of the agreement. It is therefore a focus of this review, especially as it has significantly complicated transatlantic cooperation on China and the formulation of the Biden administration’s policy toward Beijing. Another focus is China's expanding authoritarianism, as evidenced by intensified efforts to influence media content around the world or its campaign of transnational repression directed at Chinese living abroad. This review also covers contributions on economic and technological competition, key arenas of competition with China. As usual, I have tried to map the ongoing debate and point out contributions I consider essential readings. Please feel invited to comment on my selection. I look forward to your feedback. Wishing you a stimulating read, I do hope this issue of our literature review will provide useful insights for your work.

Our 19th NEUE STIMMEN International Singing Competition will take place again this year as planned, but with an approach and schedule that have been adapted to the coronavirus pandemic. Young opera singers have until May 31 to submit their applications, which for the first time will include a video component.

What are the prospects for the strategic partnership between Germany and India when it comes to health? The coronavirus pandemic is currently for both partners at the center of their health policy agendas. Regarding the containment of the pandemic and the strengthening of vaccine capacities a partnership between Germany and India seems natural and is favored by both sides. In the medium term, however, differences are likely to increasingly come into focus. India wants to expand the market power of its pharmaceutical industry, why Germany and Europe are worried of too large dependencies on the “largest pharmacy” of the world, argues Parvati Vasanta in the 3. chapter of our policy brief series. (only available in German)

What are the prospects of the strategic partnership between Germany and India? Often, we see that mutual statements about its infinite potential characterize the Indo-German relationship. At the same time, the discussion very often remains merely a theoretical exchange. Where are both partners really on the same page and where are their respective pain points in cooperation in relevant economic and political areas that may prevent a successful partnership? In the first chapter of the upcoming Policy Brief series, Parvati Vasanta takes a closer look at the area of security. (in German)