China’s Footprint in an Unstructured World Order: Adaptations, Challenges, and Strategic Responses

The aim of the panel is to present China’s international role and position in a fragmented and uncertain world order, its relations with various regional actors, at a time when the United States, through dismantling the institutions of the rules-based world order and retreating from a long-standing function as a guarantor of the structure, has moved beyond the unipolar moment. This post-unipolar moment appears to be marked by institutional erosion and growing insecurity – where still the United States is the most powerful global actor. In this environment China is facing a complex dilemma: while it is evident that they are still unable to counterbalance Washington’s global dominance, they are attempting to secure their interests and presence through multilateral initiatives, regional cooperations and strategic engagements. While Beijing’s efforts are focusing on maintaining stable economic relations and creating an external environment that further supports the structural changes of their economy, the growing and expanding political, economic, and in certain regions, military footprint of the country generates diverse responses. For some countries and regions, Beijing represents an important economic partner and a potential stabilizing force, for others, their rise raises concerns. The shifting and inconsistent role of Washington further complicates these relations, creating both opportunities and uncertainties, or even challenges for actors navigating in-between the two powers.
The panel brings together presentations that showcase and interpret global transformation and the current state of disorder in specific regions and countries through their relationships with China.