Join us for a timely roundtable discussion exploring China’s growing footprint in the South Caucasian states – Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. As China expands its global reach, the South Caucasus has emerged as a region of increasing strategic interest politically, economically, and in terms of security. This discussion will unpack China’s evolving role and influence, examining regional power dynamics, infrastructure and investment strategies, and the implications for local governments as well as major external actors, including the European Union and the United States. The panel will also offer a comparative perspective by contrasting China’s engagement in the South Caucasus with its more established presence in Central Asia, highlighting similarities, differences, and what this signals for broader regional trends.

Moderator:

Dr Teona Giuashvili
DINAM Fellow, Department of International Relations, LSE

A former Georgian diplomat with over a decade of experience, Dr Giuashvili has worked extensively on multilateral diplomacy, EU foreign policy, and the security implications of Russia’s war against Ukraine. She previously served as deputy head of the Mission of Georgia to the EU and chargé d’affaires in France.

Speakers:

Professor Michael Rochlitz
Associate Professor in the Economies of Russia, Eastern Europe and Eurasia, Oxford School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA)

Prof. Rochlitz is a political economist focused on the intersection of political institutions and economic development, particularly in the post-Soviet region and China. His research includes autocratic governance, surveillance technologies, and the role of media and elites in political change.

Dr Natalie Sabanadze
Senior Research Fellow, Russia and Eurasia Programme, Chatham House

A former ambassador and academic, Dr Sabanadze has held key diplomatic posts in the EU and OSCE. Her research and publications address nationalism, ethnic conflict, and the EU’s global role, with a regional focus on the South Caucasus and post-communist transitions.

Dr Michael Cecire
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Georgetown University

Dr Cecire brings a wealth of experience from US government and academic institutions, specializing in security, defence, and foreign policy in the Caucasus and Black Sea regions. He holds a PhD from St Andrew’s University and he is also a Security and Defence Researcher at RAND Corporation.

This event is open to all. No registration required.