China-watching a distanza. Il XX Congresso e la politica estera e di difesa della Cina

In an increasingly complex international context, it is of utmost importance that Western debates on China are based on a correct understanding of BeUing's perceptions and priorities. Yet, at a time when engagement with china would be so important, direct access to the country has been limited dramatically by the policies implemented to contain the pandemic. Over the past three years, Western scholars have thus returned to the traditional method of "distance.' China-watching when analysing Chinese politics and policies. This article applies such method to the 20th Party congress in order to outline Beijing's perceptions of the current international context, its foreign and defence policy priorities, and some of the implications for the West.