On December 3-4, a virtualconference themed “World Order: what can and should it mean today?” was held by the Ditchley Foundation, where H.E. DAI Bingguo, Special Guest of China Forum and former State Councilor, delivered a speech at the opening plenary session. More than 80 former dignitaries, senior diplomats, experts and scholars, entrepreneurs and media commentators from 17 countries and regions including Dr. Kissinger attended the webinar.

Althoughour world order is facing tremendous challenges, peaceful development and win-win cooperation are still the trend of our times, noted the Chinese panelists. Countries should focus on the goal to build a community of shared future for humankind, put multilateralism as the cornerstone, and settheir own domestic governance as a priority. China will continue to be a force against the global pandemic, a builder of peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the world order. 

Further on, participants discussed the views of the U.S., Europe, China, Russia, and the Indo-Pacific countries on the world order, on major power relations, technology and trade, competition and cooperation, the crisis and continuity of democratic values, and on the way forward for our world. Some Western paneliststouched upon the magnifiedthreat of China’s rapid rise. China has benefitted from and seeks to remain a member of the current international system, but more dialogue is needed between it and the rest of the world to promote understanding.