Can Sino-centric multilateralism replace the liberal order?
Title: Can Sino-centric multilateralism replace the liberal order?
Guest: Joel Ng Kuang Jong (Senior Research Fellow. S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies).
Moderator: Juliette Genevaz (Associate Professor in Political Science, Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3 / IFRAE).
Abstract:
Chinese-led multilateral summits have grown to encompass most countries and regions of the world. To the extent that they organize China’s foreign relations, they have been largely successful, particularly around its Belt and Road Initiative and support for four Global Initiatives – Development, Security, Civilizations, and Governance. As 2025 saw the unravelling of the liberal order, largely on account of hostile US actions, a corollary question arises of whether China can fill the void. Branding itself as a Global South champion, China has fielded calls to take up this position of global leadership. To examine China’s capacity in this role, this seminar examines its track record in these multilaterals and what opportunities and challenges have emerged from its engagements around the world.
Date, time: Monday 11th of maY 2026, 9:30-11:00 (CEST).
Place, room : Sciences Po, CERI, salle Pierre Hassner
Format : hybrid (Zoom link will be sent the day before the event)
Coordination of Universalism and Global Governance axis (WP3): Delphine Allès (INALCO), Jean-Vincent Holeindre (Paris Panthéon Assas), Frédéric Ramel (Sciences Po). Avec Louise Beaumais, postdoctorante du programme DECRIPT.
Coordination of Indo-Pacific axis (WP4): Rémi Castets (Université Bordeaux Montaigne, D2iA), Jérôme Doyon (Sciences Po, CERI), Jean-François Huchet (Inalco, IFRAE), Christophe Jaffrelot (Sciences Po, CERI). Avec Alexandre Gandil, postdoctorant, programme DÉCRIPT (Université Bordeaux Montaigne, D2iA).