Report from the latest Pathways to Peace Initiative explores engagement with China and reconceptualizing a new international order
The world is in a fragile state, heightened by China's rise as it both promotes and undermines the international status quo. As a successful authoritarian regime with significant domestic legitimacy, China's influence heavily impacts the global landscape. Even as China is a one cause of instability, its undisputed Great Power status requires its contribution to a new international status quo.
Participants of “Crossing New Rivers by Feeling the Stones? Aspirations, Expectations, and Chinas Role in the 21st Century”, part of Salzburg Global’s Pathways to Peace initiative, broadly concluded that engagement with China is not only necessary, but desirable. In doing so, the international community must lean into its strengths while also assuming a balanced posture, both challenging China’s damaging behaviors and incorporating its unique perspective into a new equilibrium.
We are in the early stages of reconceptualizing a new international order, one that must include previously underrepresented voices of the Global South, among others. The program unraveled narrative frameworks, like the Cold War, that need replacing by new conceptions yet to be codified. Despite the seemingly ominous mood today, Fellows sounded a note of confidence that the task is achievable. It requires accessing a wide range of channels not limited to traditional policy circles, including civil society, the business community, academia, and other participants.
The highly participatory program mixed curated conversations with distinguished guests, knowledge exchange, practical working groups, and informal interactions on topical issues to maximize cross-sector interaction among Fellows. The format provided multiple opportunities for all Fellows to share their knowledge and expertise on equal terms and to build new alliances. Fellows embarked on a comprehensive exploration of global engagement with China in order to generate new thinking, question assumptions, and explore the nexus of cooperation and competition with China.
This report summarizes some of the key discussions and insights from the program.
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