During a recent live-streamed debate on CGTN's Talking China, experts warned that the U.S.-led liberal international order has already unraveled. Li Cheng, founding director of the Center on Contemporary China and the World at the University of Hong Kong, explained that recent rapid shifts—particularly in transatlantic relations—signal the collapse of an order once taken for granted.
Li pointed to policies such as the America First approach and pointed criticisms from U.S. officials at the Munich Security Conference as key factors behind the emerging uncertainty. He emphasized that the current turbulence is not driven by China. Instead, he noted that China, like many nations, remains committed to a United Nations-led, rules-based system and values the benefits of economic globalization.
Adding to the discussion, Liu Zhiqin from the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies clarified that China has never attempted to change the global order. Rather, there is a growing call within the international community to move away from unilateral hegemonism and bullying, urging a return to multilateral dialogue and cooperation.
The debate reflects a pivotal moment in global politics, one that drives home the need for innovative and collective approaches in navigating a world characterized by rapid change and evolving alliances.
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Expert: So-called U.S.-led liberal international order has collapsed
cgtn.com
