GATE Dialogue with Zhang Yongle: China and the international (dis)order
Last Friday February the 6th, Rafael Heiber, Vice President and Co-Founder of the Common Action Forum, opened the dialogue “China and the international (dis)order”, emphasizing the importance of the collaboration with GATE Center and highlighting the theme of the dialogue: the complex triangular relationship between Europe, the U.S., and China. Susanne Gratius, Academic Coordinator of GATE Center, took the floor to introduce Professor Zhang Yongle, highlighting his unique background, which combines a PhD from UCLA with his current role as Associate Professor at Peking University. Gratius frames the discussion around the “Global South,” asking how China perceives the current crisis of the international liberal order and what model of global governance it intends to propose in these turbulent times.
Professor Zhang began his intervention by arguing that the post-Cold War unipolarity is effectively over, but the future remains uncertain. He points out that the U.S. National Security Strategy reflects a retreat into an “America First” spirit, which he interprets as a modern revival of the Monroe Doctrine. He explains that the U.S. is increasingly focused on the Western Hemisphere as its primary fortified economic base while attempting to maintain a veto power in the Eastern Hemisphere to prevent any other power from rising.
Regarding the specific proposals for EU-China cooperation, Zhang outlines three key pillars. First, he points out the necessity of upholding international law and the UN Charter as a shared defensive measure against unilateralism. Second, he points out the potential for a realist cooperation in green energy and technology. He notes that China is not a “black box” but a country that operates on transparent five-year plans, making it a stable partner for the EU’s own ecological transition. In the realm of Artificial Intelligence, he points out that China’s open-source strategy, exemplified by models like DeepSeek, offers a collaborative alternative to the closed-source models prevalent in the U.S. He suggests that the EU and China should jointly discuss the ethical and political limits of AI usage. Third, he points out the need to overcome the asymmetry of understanding between the two regions, urging European scholars to study China’s internal logic with the same depth that Chinese scholars study Europe.
The dialogue then moves into a deeper analysis of sovereignty and values. Susanne Gratius questions whether China shares the Western interpretation of human rights or the UN-endorsed responsibility to protect. Zhang responds by pointing out that China views itself as a defender of the status quo, provided that “order” is defined by the United Nations rather than a “liberal rules-based order that mandates electoral democracy”. He points out that while the West
prioritizes individual political rights, the Global South often prioritizes the rights to development and social protection. He points out that these are common values rather than universal ones, as their ordering depends on the specific economic and social conditions of each nation.
When addressing the Ukraine-Russia conflict, Zhang points out that China has maintained a balanced position by continuing trade with both sides and refusing to recognize the annexation of Crimea. He points out that China respects the principle of sovereignty but also acknowledges that Russia’s security concerns regarding NATO expansion are seen as grounded by many in the East. He points out that China made a peace proposal for both nations early in the war which was initially dismissed but later reflected in Ukraine’s own proposals, suggesting that China remains a non-biased actor seeking a ceasefire.
In terms of regional relations, Zhang points out the special role of Spain as a bridge between the Global North and the Global South. He points out that Spain’s cultural ties to Latin America mirror China’s economic ties to the region. He points out that China’s presence in Latin America should not be seen as a zero-sum game with the U.S., as Chinese investment in infrastructure can help solve the root causes of instability and migration that the U.S. seeks to address. He points out that China identifies politically as part of the Global South due to its history as a semi-colony, which allows it to speak to developing nations with a level of trust that Western powers often lack.
The session concluded with Susanne Gratius reflecting on Zhang’s insights, noting that while there may not be a single “Chinese model” of governance, there are clear principles based on diversity and sovereignty. She points out that China currently appears to be a more stable and predictable partner for Europe than a volatile U.S., though she notes that Europe remains deeply attached to its liberal sub-national model.
With this event, GATE Center reaffirms its commitment to informed and open debate, proving that a stable global future depends on recognizing the diverse paths of development across the globe, where a more inclusive governance can finally take root.