2025–2026: Twenty Years of Asia Centre, a Reaffirmed Course
The year 2025 marked a unique moment in the history of Asia Centre. Twenty years after its creation, Asia Centre is not only a center for analysis: it is a space for debate, knowledge sharing, and strategic dialogue between Europe and Asia, forged by two decades of collective work.
It has now been six months since I took over the presidency of Asia Centre, driven by the momentum of an expanded team, formed at our last General Assembly, and by the constant, demanding, and supportive guidance of the previous team. I would like to reiterate my sincere gratitude to Jean-François Di Meglio, who presided over Asia Centre for more than fifteen years and whose intellectual vision and commitment profoundly shaped the Centre’s identity. His presence alongside us, as Honorary President and Chairman of the Strategic Steering Committee, remains a vital asset.
First months, first impetus
These first few months have allowed us to lay solid foundations and launch several structuring initiatives. The most emblematic, and undoubtedly the most promising for the future, has been the acceleration of our program dedicated to young talent, Asia Sparks. Its most visible component was the essay competition open at the European level to researchers under thirty years of age, at the Master’s level (Master 2), focusing on European foreign policy. The success of this initiative, both in terms of participation and the quality of contributions, led to the publication of a dedicated issue of Asia Trends as well as several additional analyses on our website.
Building on this initial experience, we intend to renew and expand this format this year, encompassing other geographical areas and other themes. More broadly, our ambition is now to structure a genuine program for identifying and supporting young talent, both in Europe and Asia, by leveraging a dense network of academic and institutional partners on both continents.
Beyond producing comparative analyses, our aim is to contribute to the co-creation of joint programs. At a time when the world is becoming increasingly fragmented, and tensions are more palpable every day, it is essential to maintain or rebuild lasting connections between researchers, experts, junior and established professionals, on both sides of the Eurasian continent.
Connecting Perceptions in a World Under Tension
The challenge is not only human or academic, even though these are fundamental. Working on mutual perceptions has become a strategic imperative. European expertise on Asia, like Asian expertise on Europe, still falls short of what we could collectively hope for. Strengthening this mutual understanding, contributing to the intellectual development of a new generation of experts and researchers, and expanding opportunities for dialogue are now priorities.
It is in this spirit that, in recent months, Asia Centre has intensified its exchanges and partnerships in Asia, from Cambodia to China, from South Korea to India, from Japan to Mongolia, from Singapore to Sri Lanka, and from Taiwan to Thailand and Vietnam. The participation of two Asia Centre members in leading the IHEDN’s Indo-Pacific sessions has also allowed for the forging of new links with partners from across the region.
Key milestones in 2025
Among the most significant events of the past year, we can highlight:
- Asia Centre’s participation in several leading security dialogues, including the Ulaanbaatar Security Dialogue;
- The deepening of Euro-Korean exchanges on security and innovation issues in Paris and Seoul;
- Our active presence in major regional forums in China and Southeast Asia, notably in Bangkok and Hanoi;
- The strengthening of cooperation with Mongolia on issues of sovereignty, AI, cybersecurity, and the protection of populations;
- The increasing number of interventions on Europe-Asia relations, Indo-Pacific strategies, and ongoing geopolitical realignments.
The year 2025 was also marked by the final presentation of the European Commission’s “China Horizons” project (formerly DWARC – “Dealing with a Resurgent China”), funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe program (grant agreement no. 101061700), conducted in a consortium with seven European partners, in which Asia Centre was responsible for the component dedicated to Chinese foreign policy. This experience has strengthened our expertise in managing large-scale multilateral projects.
Research, Dissemination, Impact
While research remains the cornerstone of Asia Centre, the dissemination of knowledge is another key area.
A fundamental pillar of our work. In 2025, we published numerous reports, briefs, and blog posts, all freely available on our website. Our experts have appeared on multiple occasions in French, European, and international media, contributing to the public debate on contemporary Asia.
At the same time, our Asia Connect program illustrates another of Asia Centre’s unique strengths: the ability to engage with the business world and support companies and institutions in their strategic thinking on Asia, combining analytical rigor, on-the-ground knowledge, and a pragmatic approach.
Looking ahead to 2026
2026 will be a year of acceleration. Accelerated exchanges, joint initiatives, and shared programs, particularly around the key areas of expertise encompassed by Asia Centre’s geographic and thematic areas: digital governance, cybersecurity, business law, banking and finance, monetary issues, energy, climate, defense and security, business diplomacy, critical infrastructure, sovereignty, and Indo-Pacific strategies.
This year will also be one of strengthening, and sometimes renewing, ties with partners throughout the Asian region, in a spirit of open, demanding, and constructive dialogue.
At the dawn of this new year, I hope that 2026 will allow Asia Centre to continue to fully play its role: deciphering a world in flux, connecting expertise and generations, and informing decision-makers and the general public alike, with independence, rigor, and collective commitment.
Wishing you all a very happy 2026.
Arnaud Leveau (PhD), President of Asia Centre