Gemma Cheng-er Deng

China’s rise is often discussed through military power, trade or technology. Dr Gemma Cheng’er Deng studies the stories China tells about itself, and what happens when others reject them.

Deng’s doctoral research at King’s College London examined the UK–China “Golden Era”. This ambitious period of rapprochement, from 2015 to 2023 that ended in sharply deteriorating relations. Deng examined how China sought to communicate with Britain, how British stakeholders received those messages, and where intention diverged from perception.

It offers a revealing lens on contemporary China. Power does not travel through economics or diplomacy alone. It also depends on narrative, credibility and whether others understand the story being told.

Gemma Cheng’er Deng’s wider work examines Chinese foreign policy, public diplomacy, political narratives, soft power and China’s portrayal in Western media. She co-authored China Through European Eyes with Kerry Brown. The book places today’s debates within a far longer history. Europeans have spent centuries trying to understand, interpret and, often, misinterpret China.

Deng has spoken at King’s College London, the London School of Economics, Cambridge University and Tsinghua University. She is also developing further research on China’s strategic communications in Britain during the Xi Jinping era.

In 2026, Deng took her interest in political dialogue beyond academia. She co-founded BRICS+ Thinking with Lord Jim O’Neill, creating a policy platform for cooperation between the “Political West” and the BRICS+ world. Its work tackles areas where geopolitical rivalry collides with shared necessity. These include AI governance, energy, global health and trade.

Gemma Cheng’er Deng does not assume better communication can erase geopolitical conflict. She examines how political narratives harden and whether dialogue can survive when strategic interests diverge. For audiences seeking to understand China, BRICS+ and the changing global order, Deng brings a valuable perspective. She takes ideas, language and perception as seriously as power itself.