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Institute for Security and Development Policy (ISDP), Stockholm/Nacka – nordicsouthasianet.eu

Join the 2016 Security Jam - Institute for Security and Development Policy

The Institute for Security and Development Policy

Introducing the ISDP's Stockholm China Center
Monthly Newsletter!


Dear all, 

We are delighted to introduce the inaugural edition of ISDP's Stockholm China Center's new monthly newsletter. This comprehensive resource is dedicated to keeping you informed about our ongoing activities, offering our experts' insights on key political developments in China, and showcasing our most recent publications. Curated by our dedicated team members, each issue promises to bring you timely and relevant information on China's domestic and foreign affairs.
Dive in and stay tuned for valuable insights from ISDP's Stockholm China Center!

Who is ISDP?

The Institute for Security and Development Policy (ISDP) is a non-profit, non-partisan research and policy organization based in Stockholm, Sweden. Renowned as a leading institution in global security, geopolitics, and socio-economic developments, ISDP is committed to fostering informed dialogue and impactful exchange among key stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific region.

Leveraging its unique engagement approach, the institute has established critical regional networks to facilitate diverse mediation initiatives with government and military-affiliated actors across Asia. ISDP strives to equip policymakers and corporate leaders with the necessary insights to understand and navigate the intricate challenges arising from a constantly evolving geopolitical landscape.

Our commitment lies in developing innovative strategies for conflict mitigation and fostering peace and stability. Our approach integrates hands-on mediation skills with a profound understanding of the intricate political dynamics within the regions we cover. We prioritize equitable engagement with all parties involved, fostering a nuanced comprehension of diverse perspectives.

Our Recent & Ongoing Activities

Elevating Democracy via Transatlantic Cooperation
As part of a collaborative initiative with the U.S. embassy in Sweden, ISDP had the honor to host a series of events from March 11-14, aimed at fostering transatlantic cooperation on democracy. The project’s primary aim was to address threats from Chinese and Russian influence, spanning the local, national, European, and global innovation spheres. Recognizing the limitations of individual states' efforts, ISDP stressed the need for a transatlantic forum to facilitate experience-sharing and coordination of strategies. The conferences were designed to increase awareness and understanding of risks throughout the innovation cycle, promote transparency and critical thinking, and integrate cooperation into a robust research security strategy.

EuroHub4Sino
ISDP is part of the EuroHub4Sino (EH4S), an EU-funded academic consortium, unites European China experts. The online platform and network of specialists offer tools to comprehend modern China. EH4S focuses on four pillars: a collaborative research platform, a China expert network, joint research projects, and a long-term financial strategy. The project aims to deliver research and analysis on China over trade and economy, environment and climate, society, technology, and international relations. Additionally, the Institute for Security and Development Policy (ISDP) provides security-related insights looking at the involvement of the People’s Liberation Army.
 
Strategic Consulting
ISDP is dedicated to empowering policymakers and corporate leaders with  comprehensive analyses, essential insights and tailored briefings to navigate the complexities of a constantly evolving geopolitical landscape. Through our consulting portfolio, meticulously crafted to meet specific client needs and objectives, we aim to raise awareness of key issues impacting their strategic interests. Our focus is on delivering timely and actionable insights, underpinned by comprehensive analytical inputs, reflecting our dedication to facilitating informed decision-making.
 

ISDP Experts' Insights  
 
- Hong Kong’s National Security Law -
Comment by ISDP Research Fellow Maud Descamps
On March 19, Hong Kong's Legislative Council (Legco) unanimously passed the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance – locally known as Article 23 of the Basic Law-  sparking concerns about the region's autonomy and civil liberties. After a first attempt to introduce the bill in 2003, it was shelved due to mass pro-democracy protest movements.
Yet, recent electoral reforms favoring pro-Beijing lawmakers have paved the way for the bill to be fast-tracked this month, unopposed. While Beijing defends the bill as “crucial for stability and to prevent foreign interference”, critics argue it undermines Hong Kong's political autonomy under the “one country, two systems” principle, as well as human rights and the rule of law.

Notably, the ordinance will introduce penalties for 39 new national security crimes spanning the following categories: treason, sedition, subversion against the Central People's Government, sabotage endangering national security, external interference in the territory’s affairs, theft of state secrets and espionage. The law lengthens periods of detention without charge from 48 hours to two weeks and allows for life imprisonment for certain crimes. The broad and vague definitions of acts like treason, insurrection, and espionage raise significant concerns that the bill could be weaponized to intensify the crackdown on political dissent and independent media.
The provisions carry global implications, affecting not only Hong Kong citizens but also foreign stakeholders - such as journalists, NGO, activists - based in Hong Kong. In this unfolding scenario, Hong Kong finds itself navigating an uncertain political future, with Beijing's tightening grip looming large. The passage of the law is set to exacerbate the already fragile economic climate and erode investor confidence. 

Our Upcoming Events & Activities

Our Research Fellow and Project Manager Fatoumata Diallo is going to hold a lecture for Lund University Association of Foreign Affairs on April 22nd titled: Understanding China’s Political Dynamics in the Xi Jinping Era. The lecture will provide a brief overview of China’s domestic political system, offering insights into its key mechanisms and functioning, including the intricate factional dynamics within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). It will examine the core features of Xi Jinping’s leadership, while highlighting major developments in the political landscape since his ascent to power. The discussion will encompass various aspects of Xi Jinping’s approach to governance, including national security, foreign policy strategies, anti-corruption efforts and legal reforms.

Our Research Fellow, Yifei Zhu is invited to present his paper titled "Institutionalizing the Status Quo: How Rules of Game in the Taiwan Strait were Created, Maintained and Disrupted amid Geopolitical Changes" at the joint conference by the University of Zürich and the University of Nottingham, which will be held on 20-21 June 2024. 

Dr. Zhu will also present his paper titled "Economized Security or Securitized Economy? Explaining Economy-Security Relations in South Korea’s and Taiwan’s Trade Policies Toward China" at the conference by the University of Sussex on 6th Nov. 2024 in Sussex. The theme is "Korea in the Context of US-China Competition: Negotiating the Growing Tensions between Economics and Geopolitics."

On September 26, 2024, ISDP will host a conference in Brussels as part of the EuroHub4Sino initiative. The conference will center on discussions regarding the People's Liberation Army and its technological advancements.

Event recordings

Did you miss our most recent webinars? Below, you can watch the recordings of the webinar:

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