Professor Chen Dongxiao was in RSIS in September as the Ngee Ann Kongsi Professor of International Relations. He is the President of Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS).
During his visit, Prof Chen engaged in discussions with researchers and policy-makers. He gave a Distinguished Public Lecture and two seminars open to the public and students.
RSIS Seminar: Chinese Foreign Policy under Xi Jinping: Analysing Success and Challenges
3 September 2024
Since Xi Jinping took office in 2012, Western media has often portrayed a significant shift in China’s foreign policy, suggesting he has moved away from the “hide and bide” strategy of Deng Xiaoping’s era to a more assertive stance. However, Beijing’s approach remains a blend of continuity and change, with Xi’s doctrine still reflecting core principles such as independence, self-reliance, and mutual respect. Xi has adapted China’s foreign policy to align with modernisation goals, emphasising “summit diplomacy” to shape the international order, increasing economic engagement with Global South nations, and positioning China as a mediator in regional conflicts. Additionally, there has been a focus on people-to-people diplomacy to enhance mutual understanding. While these initiatives have seen steady progress, they also face significant challenges amidst global turbulence.
Professor Chen analysed and discussed these issues in this RSIS seminar.
RSIS Distinguished Public Lecture: Can China Handle Trump 2.0?
5 September 2024
Beijing is closely monitoring the 2024 US presidential election, preparing for potential challenges from a second Trump administration. Despite bipartisan consensus on China as a major strategic competitor, Beijing expects a second Trump term to bring more unpredictability and confrontational policies, affecting trade, technology, and military security. This could significantly impact US-China relations and global stability.
Watch the Distinguished Public Lecture here:
A Chinese Perspective on the Prospect of Regional Order Building in the Indo-Pacific
10 September 2024
By Wu Wan xin
RSIS held a seminar on 10 September 2024 titled “A Chinese Perspective on the Prospect of Regional Order Building in the Indo-Pacific” with Professor Chen Dongxiao, Ngee Ann Kongsi Professor of International Relations and President of Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS). During the seminar, Prof Chen discussed concepts of international order, challenges in a liberal multilateral order amid big powers’ strategic competition, as well as the conflicting narratives on the current world order.
Prof Chen mentioned that the world was currently in a period of turbulence and transition, and that many factors must be taken into consideration when attempting to understand order building. He highlighted Dr Henry Kissinger’s book “World Order” which introduced ideas on accepted rules and balance of power, both of which were important concepts to explain international order.
Additionally, Prof Chen stated that there were five types of rules-making, namely, constitutional, hegemonic, coalitional, competitive, and bottom-up (or grassroot). These were crucial for identifying behaviours of relevant stakeholders and how state-mechanisms affected order building.
Prof Chen stressed that the erosion and breakdown of liberal multilateral order was the result of deficit of provision of public goods and cracks of post-Cold War consensus. Such situation has made joint management of the world economy to become increasingly difficult. With international order building in a state of flux, sovereignty and interdependence were important for structural settings. Additionally, US-China relations, the impact of economic securitisation, as well as competition and conflicting narratives have contributed to shaping the trajectory of international order building.
The seminar concluded with a Q&A session with Prof Chen. The questions raised included Chinese policies on South China Sea, ASEAN’s role in the regional order, and a discussion on whether there would be possible tangible projects that China and US might be willing to cooperate on, given the complexities of current international order.
In Conversation with Professor Chen Dongxiao
16 September 2024
Prof Chen was also a guest on the RSIS In Conversation podcast, where he discussed how a second Trump presidency might affect US-China relations.
Listen to Prof Chen’s episode of In Conversation here:
