Open lecture with Oscar Almén, Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI)

On the back of three decades of rapid economic growth, China has emerged as a global power. Its influence abroad is most visible through trade and investment—often viewed as a natural and, in many places, welcome presence. At the same time, Beijing is increasingly active as a geopolitical player, seeking to shape the international order in ways that serve the regime’s interests. In this talk, Oscar Almén examines how China’s rise affects Sweden, drawing on his research into transnational repression and Chinese investment in Sweden.

Oscar Almén is a researcher at the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), where he heads the Asia Programme. Formerly an associate professor (docent) of political science at Uppsala University, he has studied Chinese politics since 1999. His current work focuses on security-related issues connected to China, including Chinese investments in Sweden, the Communist Party’s influence on the Chinese diaspora, China’s role as a security actor in East Asia, and Party control over enterprises in China.