Experts and Scholars Discuss the new Russia-US-China Triangle Relation

On April 25^th, a seminar named the new Russia-US-China triangle relation--- reasons and possible outcomes was held at the international conference hall in the administration building of North Campus of GDUFS. This seminar was sponsored by Guangdong Research Institute for International Strategies and Macau University. Experts and scholars from Macau University, University of Denver, Peking University, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, Shanghai Academy of American Studies and GDUFS discussed the new Russia-US-China triangle relation. Its opening ceremony was chaired by ZHOU Fangyin, the Director of the Research Center for Peripheral Strategies of Guangdong Research Institute for International Strategies.

The scene of the seminar

MR. SUI Guangjun, the General Secretary of GDUFS Party Committee and the Standing Deputy President of Guangdong Research Institute for International Strategies, delivered the opening speech and on behalf of GDUFS, extended warm welcome to all guests. In his speech, he mentioned that the Russia-US-China relation, to certain extent, would dominate the world situation. Different from the triangle relation during the Cold War, the new triangle relation is a dynamic process for the three countries have experienced profound changes in their national strength, status and politics. He wished that all experts and scholars could express their opinions freely and boldly and work to have an in-depth understanding of the new triangle relation so as to better understand the international environment for achieving China’s peace and development. This can contribute to the option for, and implementation of, China’s diplomatic strategies.

SUI Guangjun delivered the opening speech.

HAO Yufan, the Dean of the Academy of Social Sciences of Macau University and its representative, also gave an opening speech. He noted that today’s international relations havd undergone huge changes compared with that in the 1970’s. Lots of issues concerning the new triangle relationship were noted as worth studying and discussing. In particular, China today had stepped onto the centre of the world stage. Intellectual support from experts and scholars are needed to help China to better deal with new situations. Relevant seminars are urgently-needed and meaningful. He wished the seminar a full measure of success and help to China to go global.

HAO Yufan expressed his opinions on international relations.

Professor ZHAO Suisheng from the School of International Relations of University of Denver made a keynote speech named the US’s response to the new-pattern major country relations proposed by China and its blindness. He analyzed the US’s progressing understanding of China’s economic and social development and its blindness embodied in its diplomatic policies with regard to the long-lasting development and changes of Sino-American relations. He ended his speech by quoting what President XI Jingping once said that “The sound cooperation between China and US can promote world stability and peace.”

ZHAO Suisheng delivered a keynote speech.

In the following panel discussion, experts and scholars in Group 1 focused on the discussion of the past and present theories concerning the triangle relations. HAO Yufan serves the Chairman of Group 1. Professor YU Tiejun, from Peking University, reflected the historical development of theories concerning the triangle relation and analyzed features of different theories. Then Professor WANG Jianwei from Macau University, compared the triangle relation during the Cold War with that at present and pointed out the changes of the three countries’ status. Additionally, Professor REN Jingjing from Chinese Academy of Social Sciences analyzed the paradigm of the triangle relation and then stated features of major country relations, namely the coexistence of both contact and prevention as well as curbing and cooperation. And Professor ZHOU Fangyin from GDUFS analyzed the influence of the triangle relation on the rising of China.

Four professors discussed the past and the present of the triangle relation

Group 2 focused on the Sino-American relations in the triangle relation with Professor XU Jin as the host. Professor Tang Xiaosong, from GDUFS, held that the current Sino-American competition is still dominated by economic  Competition, supplemented by a security contest. He added that the proposal of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and One Belt, One Road by China made US be more alert. Professor DING Xinghao from Shanghai Academy of American Studies believed that Sino-American relations had shifted from the pure strategic relations to current complex ones. Both sides conducted cooperation while maintaining competition.

How to balance cooperation and competition has been an important issue. He also expressed the idea that there were no reasons for the existence of conflicts between both sides. They should think broadly so as to uphold lasting stable Sino-American relations. Professor WANG Wen from Renmin University of China thought that in the triangle relation, China had been at the stage of its best development. Therefore, it should keep the stability and sustainability of One Belt, One Road. Additionally, it should remain firm in strategic coordination. Professor YANG Yuan from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences concluded that the core conflict between China and US was the issue of rights. He also added that in such an era of no war among major countries, diversification of the competition between China and US would be prominent.

TANG Xiaosong and others discussed Sino-American relations.

In the afternoon, Group 3 had a discussion of US-Russian relations in the triangle relation, with ZHOU Fangyin as the host. Professor GAO Cheng of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences analyzed US-Russian relations under the Ukrainian crisis. She pointed out that such a crisis was a critical point in US-Russian relations and the tension of US-Russia relations fostered the development of China-Russia relations and reduced setbacks in the way of the two-way cooperation. In addition, Professor QI Hao from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences advised that China and Russian ally with each other in order to lessen and  weaken the influence of US’s alliance with others by means of projects such as AIIB and One Belt, One Road.

Professor FU Yong from the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences indicated that the nature of US-Russia relations were how both sides dealt with the post-cold-war regional order issue. On the Chinese part, we need to be active to shape China-Russia relations and think about how to employ it to affect US-Russia relations. Professor CHEN Hanxi from GDUFS stated the reality that Sino-American relations were relatively stable while US-Russia relations were quite tense. Then Professor CHEN presented that if China intended to get strategic opportunities, it should continue to avoid head-on confrontation and actively seek a Sino-US common order.

GAO Cheng and others discusses US-Russia relations.

　　Professor YAN Xuetong from Tsinghua University actively responded to other scholars and made some in-depth comments. The all-day seminar enjoyed a warm atmosphere.

It’s reported that on April 26^th, experts and scholars form Macau University, the University of Hong Kong, Sun Yat-Sen University, China Foreign Affairs University, Fudan University, Jinan University, GDUFS and other universities had discussions on subjects such as China-Russia relations, interaction between the triangle part and the rest of the world, and new order of the triangle part and world in the future.