On September 26, Zhao Minghao, research fellow at the Center for American Studies of Fudan University and China Forum expert, was invited to give a keynote speech entitled “The Ukraine Conflict and China-US Relations” at a webinar held by the World Affairs Council (Austin) and St. Edward’s University, which was themed “World Order Challenges, Transition, Collapse? Western and Global Perspectives on Conflict in Ukraine.”

The event also featured Tatiana Shakleina, chair of the Department of Applied International Analysis, MGIMO University; Volodymyr Dubovyk, director of the Center for International Studies, Odesa National University; Alan Henrikson, professor at Tufts University; Nick Gvosdev, professor at the US Naval War College; Mitat Celikpala, professor at Kadir Has University; and Nivedeta das Kundu, senior research advisor at the United Service Institution of India. Panelists discussed where the Ukraine conflict is headed, its impact on the international order, and Western and global perspectives on it.

This conflict is an eruption of geopolitical strife in Eurasia after the Cold War, which has significantly undermined the international order, said Zhao Minghao. It has reflected new dynamics in the strategic rivalry between America and Russia, and had a profound and complex impact on China-US ties. By portraying the China-Russia tie-up in a negative light, the US is using the conflict to market the “China threat” and wage economic warfare through sanctions. Against this backdrop, the US is moving towards “strategic clarity” on Taiwan, escalating tensions across the strait.