The Myth of the Silk Road: the Rise of China

In 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the gigantic infrastructure and investment programme of a "New Silk Road", which is intended to build on the historical myth: The People's Republic wants to become the world's leading economic, political and military power through the massive expansion of land and waterways.

In the past twelve years, China has already invested more than one trillion euros in its initiative, which is putting Europe under massive pressure.

Discussion in the Garden Pavilion of the Juliusspital

What goals is China pursuing with the "New Silk Road"? What are Europe's responses to this challenge? What opportunities and risks does China's rise harbour? And to what extent can the historical Silk Road serve as a model for today's developments?

These questions will be discussed at a public event organised by the Schelling Forum of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Würzburg. It will take place on Wednesday, 22 October 2025, at 19:00 in the garden pavilion of the Juliusspital in Klinikstraße 1.

SWR editor Violetta Hagen will discuss the topic in depth with China and economics expert Professor Doris Fischer from the University of Würzburg and two professors from LMU Munich: India expert Jens-Uwe Hartmann and European historian Kiran Klaus.

Registration

The event will be held in German. Participation is free of charge. Anyone wishing to attend should register via the Schelling Forum booking portal. Questions can be sent to the e-mail address schelling-forum@badw.de.

About the Schelling Forum

The Schelling Forum, founded in 2021 by the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities and the University of Würzburg, is a place for interdisciplinary exchange. One of its goals is to strengthen the dialogue between science and society.

Website Schelling Forum: https://schelling-forum.badw.de/