Conference: The American Military versus the Chinese Military - Comparing intentions and capabilities
The rapid evolution of the US and Chinese militaries has reshaped global security dynamics. Through cross-national scholarly lenses this conference will examine their respective strengths, strategies and challenges – offering a unique opportunity to transcend geopolitical narratives and foster evidence-based dialogue. This CMS conference will compare American and Chinese militaries by discussing what the two militaries have in common, where they have a unique and specific construction, and where they are imitating each other.
Esteemed international scholars, Professor You Ji, Xi’an Jiatong-Liverpool University, and Deputy Director Oscar Almen and Senior Analyst Per Olsson, FOI Swedish Defense Research Agency, will assess respectively the US Military and the Chinese Military. Further the international scholar Jingdong Yuan, Director at SIPRI, will present different assessments of the two countries' military budgets.
Program
Program updated October 20 2025.
9.00-9.05: Welcome by Signe Pihl-Thingvad, Director of Department of Political Science, University of Copenhagen.
9.05-9.10: Introduction by Professor Emeritus Bertel Heurlin, Centre for Military Studies, University of Copenhagen.
9.10-10.40: Professor You Ji, Xi’an Jiatong-Liverpool University, China, ”An Assessment Of The American Military” followed by comments by Major Adam Buschard, Royal Defence College, and Q&A.
Moderator: Bertel Heurlin.
10.40-11.00: Coffee break.
11.00-12.30: Deputy Director Oscar Almén and Senior Analyst Per Olsson, FOI Swedish Defense Research Agency, "How To Analyse China's Military Power” followed by comments by Professor Camilla Tenna Nørup Sørensen, Royal Defence College, and Q&A.
Moderator: Bertel Heurlin.
12.30-13.30: Lunch.
13.30-15.00: Director Jingdong Yuan, SIPRI´s China and Asia Security Program, ”Assessment of the Chinese and American Military Budgets” followed by comments by Dr. Cameron Hunter, University of Copenhagen, and Q&A.
Moderator: Bertel Heurlin.
15.00-15.15: Coffee break.
15.15-16.15: Panel debate with the presenters and the commentators.
Moderator: Professor Mikkel Vedby Rasmussen, University of Copenhagen.
16.15: Conclusion by Bertel Heurlin.
16.30-17.30: Reception.
The conference has free admission.
Contact information:
Academic responsible: Professor Bertel Heurlin, bh@ifs.ku.dk
Practical responsible: Christine Veedfald Jensen, cvj@ifs.ku.dk
Invitation
