Mapping Global China: Data, Maps, and Stories of China’s Global Presence

Speaker: Maria Adele Carrai, Associate Professor, University of Oxford
Abstract: This presentation introduces Mapping Global China, an open-access research initiative that maps and analyzes China’s expanding global presence. Bringing together original datasets, interactive maps, and narrative storytelling, the project examines how Chinese capital, institutions, infrastructure, and other forms of engagement are reshaping places around the world. I will present some of the project’s new tools and findings and reflect on what mapping can reveal about the changing geography of Global China.

Facts Only

* Mapping Global China is an open-access research initiative.
* The project maps and analyzes China’s expanding global presence.
* The research involves original datasets, interactive maps, and narrative storytelling.
* The study examines how Chinese capital, institutions, infrastructure, and other forms of engagement reshape places globally.
* The presentation introduces new tools and findings from the project.

Executive Summary

An open-access research initiative named Mapping Global China examines the expansion of China's global presence through the mapping and analysis of its engagement. The project compiles original datasets, interactive maps, and narrative storytelling to explore how Chinese capital, institutions, infrastructure, and other forms of engagement are influencing locations worldwide. The presentation focuses on new tools and findings from this research to reflect on the evolving geography of Global China.

Full Take

The initiative leverages spatial visualization and narrative to articulate complex geopolitical shifts caused by transnational flows of influence. By mapping tangible elements like capital and infrastructure alongside intangible engagements, the work moves beyond simple statistical observation to reveal the dynamic layering of global space defined by Chinese involvement. The core implication lies in understanding how geographically dispersed physical and institutional flows contribute to a redefinition of local and global geographies. A key area for inquiry is tracing the feedback loops: how do these mapped flows influence future decisions about place, sovereignty, and development on a local level? Further analysis should focus on the mechanisms by which these visualized connections translate into tangible shifts in power dynamics or spatial prioritization across different regions.