“The Effect of Trump and More: The Emerging Retrenchment of China’s Strategic Posture in East Asia and Pacific”
Renmin University's renowned Professor Shi Yinhong was the one to kick-start this year's 'China's Grand Strategy' lecture series, a key course component to the Contemporary China Studies Program. A keen audience of students from the Contemporary China Studies Program as well as exchange students, and students from Renmin University's other international programs filled the room in anticipation of Professor Shi's lecture.
An expert of the field, Professor Shi illustrated signs of optimism for the relations between the USA and China leading up to the Trump election. President Trump’s “un-strategic strategy towards China” however, was then depicted as a tipping point: an uneasy period in Trump's first few months as President. Professor Shi noted that if Donald Trump’s words and actions were to be put into practice, stability would be huge concern. Professor Shi further illustrated that China has become wiser in judging the situation since the Florida Summit where President Xi met President Trump for the first time. Relations improved and negotiations were good: President Xi even found President Trump to be “manageable”.
Continuing his lecture, Professor Shi then moved deeper into the pros and cons of China’s new relationship with the USA under the Trump administration, highlighting key strategic considerations for China in moving the Sino-US relationship and cooperation forward.
Following the tradition of our highly interactive 'China's Grand Strategy' lecture series, Professor Shi concluded his talk with a profound dialogue based on questions from his international audience. Honest and passionate opinions were exchanged and led to interesting reflections. We thank Professor Shi for his grand opening of this year's lecture series.
