Summary of the ISDP Forum The Party Congress Concluded: A New Era for China and the World?

The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (NCCPC), is a significant event in the politics of contemporary China. In light of this, ISDP hosted a two part ISDP Forum covering the latest developments in Beijing and their implications for China, Sweden and the world. Per Eklund, ISDP Board Member and former head of the European Commission Delegation to Georgia served as moderator.

The forum was opened with a keynote address from H.E. Ambassador Gui Congyou of China, who shared his government’s views on the Party Congress, the changes to the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party and the “New Era of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics”.

His speech was followed by a moderated panel discussion between Dr. Oskar Almén, Researcher at Uppsala University’s Department of Government, Dr. Lora Saalman, Director of the China and Global Security Program at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Mr. Junfeng Li, Political Counselor at the Embassy of China in Sweden and Ms. Kristina Sandklef, CEO of Sandklef Asia Insights and an independent China analyst.

During the panel, the speakers discussed a wide range of topics pertaining to China’s Party Congress, evolving policies, touching on issues including security policy, development programs, climate change, gender dynamics and economic integration. The audience then had the opportunity to ask questions to the panelists in a concluding Q&A Session.