On April 3, Tang Xiaoyang, chair of the Department of International Relations at Tsinghua University and a China Forum expert, gave an interview to The Huffington Post Greece, answering questions on China’s relations with the US and Europe, its position on the Ukraine crisis, Taiwan, and the future international landscape.

On whether China and the US will fall into a “Thucydides trap,” Professor Tang replied that the we are now living in a very different international community than Athens and Sparta, and we are not living in the Cold War either. The people of China and the US share similar interests in pursuing prosperity and productivity. The two countries are seeking influence in the global economic system, not greater military power.

Regarding China’s position on the Ukraine crisis, Tang said that China’s emphasis on neutrality and its abstentions in relevant UN votes necessitate a more nuanced interpretation of its “no-limits” partnership with Russia. During the current crisis in Ukraine, China has maintained communication with all parties and has been working hard to push for a peaceful solution.

In response to questions about China’s ties with the EU and its growing influence there, Tang noted that direct competition between the two sides is much less acute, and does not involve a fundamental clash over geopolitical influence. The diversity of European countries means that there are more opportunities for economic cooperation between them and China.

As to whether the world is moving towards bipolarity or multipolarity, Tang said that China encourages other countries to choose a political system that suits them, and does not seek rivalries over ideology or political system. It also encourages the world to become a multilateral and coordinated system, rather than one dominated by a single pole.