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As the missile activities become more frequent on the Korean Peninsula, it is more critical than ever to work towards a denuclearization that can serve the common interests of all relevant parties for maintaining the peace and stability of the Peninsula. As North Korea is being monitored for its first nuclear weapon test in nearly five years, how could the parties involved restore the nuclear talks with North Korea, and possibly work out a step-by-step strategy to deescalate the situation? Prof. Li Bin, a CISS expert, and Professor at the Department of International Relations of Tsinghua University, shared his opinions at the CISS International Forum themed “The Changing Asia-Pacific: United or Divided” in March, 2022.

In recent years, China-U.S. relations has been increasingly defined by conflicts and differences. By comparing the objectives of China and U.S. in the Asia-Pacific region, however, we can see that the two countries still share common ground on many fronts. Jia Qingguo, Professor at School of International Studies of Peking University, made a point-by-point comparison between China and the U.S. in terms of their development strategies. Professor Jia shared his opinions at the CISS International Forum themed “The Changing Asia-Pacific: United or Divided” in March, 2022.

The US is stirring up muddy waters in the Asia-Pacific region to gain an edge over China. As some countries begin to pick sides with the U.S., the security foundation of the Asia-Pacific is gradually deteriorating, in an unobtrusive way. While the U.S. tries to reshape the regional security structure of the Asia-Pacific, will a “Russia-Ukraine conflict” occur in the region someday in the future? Prof. Zhu Feng, a China Forum Expert with CISS, also Director of the Institute of International Studies at Nanjing University, gave his analyses at the CISS International Forum themed “The Changing Asia-Pacific: United or Divided” in March, 2022.

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has disrupted the global energy supply chain, and spelt higher energy prices worldwide. While the European Union has slapped several rounds of sanctions on Russia, the bloc is yet to reach agreement on how to impose sanctions on Russia’s energy sector. Would EU successfully cut itself off from Russia’s energy supply? How would EU’s foreseeable energy crisis in the near future have impact on countries in the Asia-Pacific? Zou Ji, a CISS expert, also CEO and President of Energy Foundation China, shared his opinions at the CISS International Forum themed “The Changing Asia-Pacific: United or Divided” in March 2022.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict is producing tremendous impact on the world, including the Asia Pacific. When we get to the root of the matter, however, the ongoing conflict is a product of cold war mentality, where exclusive alliances like NATO have pushed Russia to the corner. What about in the Asia Pacific, when the U.S. has developed “small circles” like Five Eyes, QUAD, and AUKUS to corner China? Ambassador Xu Bu, president of the China Institute of International Studies, says that any form of cold war mentality could endanger the security of the world. Ambassador Xu shared his opinions at the CISS International Forum themed “The Changing Asia-Pacific: United or Divided” in March, 2022.

Talking about the global implications of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, we can see that it is accelerating deglobalization, undermining global supply chain, and exacerbating geopolitical conflicts far beyond Europe. How would the conflict influence the security situation in Asia-Pacific? Would it further undermine the relations between U.S. and China, the two major players in the Asia-Pacific? Yan Xuetong, Dean of the Institute of International Relations, Tsinghua University, shared his opinions at the CISS International Forum themed “The Changing Asia-Pacific: United or Divided” in March, 2022.

As peace talks loom between Russia and Ukraine, the U.S. is ratcheting up pressure on China to quit its neutral stance, warning more serious consequences if China “continues to provide material support to Russia”. Is China’s non-sanction policy very different from most countries in the world ? Why China focuses more on helpful measures like humanitarian assistance, instead of posing rounds of sanctions? Prof. Gong Jiong, a China Forum expert, attended the offline meeting of the Doha Forum in late March, where he explicitly explained why China sticks to its neutral stance towards Russia and Ukraine. Please stay tuned.

China has been working on collective security in the Indian Ocean, to safeguard international sea lanes and provide a secured environment for the international community who are working in the rim land of the ocean. What are the real security threats of the Indian Ocean? What is the intention behind the rhetoric “free and open Indo-Pacific” ? Mr. Zhou Bo, a CISS Senior Fellow, shared his opinions during the Pathfinder Indian Ocean Security Conference, which focused on security architecture and maritime domain awareness of the Indian Ocean. The conference was hosted by the Pathfinder Foundation in Sri Lanka on March 4th, 2022.

EU has been pivoting back to Asia-Pacific with its so-called “Indo-Pacific Strategy”. To some extent, it is new wine in old bottles, when it comes to EU’s economic cooperation with regional countries. Taking a closer look, however, EU has also put in more ambition in its new strategy to increase military presence in the region. Would EU’s growing participation in the so-called “Indo-Pacific region” welcomed by regional countries like China? How could EU play a more constructive role to both benefit itself and add fuel to the regional development? Prof. Cui Hong Jian, a China Forum expert, provided his advice for EU to constructively build its economic reach and influence in the region, at a webinar held by Ditchley Foundation on 18 March, 2022.

The 58th Munich Security Conference (MSC) was held in Munich from February 18 to 20. Mr.Fu Chengyu, a China Forum expert, was invited to share his perspectives in the panel discussion themed "Sustaining Global Collaboration Towards Climate Neutrality", where he introduced how China steps up efforts to reduce carbon emission, with special focus on green technology.