From March 19 to 21, 2025, the 7th International Forum on Security and Strategy, organized by the Center for International Security and Strategy (CISS) at Tsinghua University, was held in Beijing. The forum, themed "Navigating New Paths in a Reshaping Global Order ," gathered more than 60 distinguished guests from China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, Australia, South Korea, Germany, Singapore, and other countries. Discussions focused on four key topics: "Global Order in Flux,""A New Landscape for China-U.S. Relations," "The Asia-Pacifi c: Choices and Prospects," and " Global Issues Amidst a Shifting Order." During the open session on the afternoon of March 21, over 50 domestic and international media outlets attended to cover the event. The forum was supported by the China-United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF).
On the evening of March 19, CISS hosted a welcome dinner. Professor Ju Jiandong, Chair of Finance at Tsinghua University’s PBC School of Finance, Vice President of the National Institute of Financial Research, and Chairman of the China Association of International Trade, shared his observations on the "Trump 2.0" policies, analyzing financial disagreements and potential areas of cooperation between China and the United States in light of current global dynamics. Robert Tyrer, CEO of The Cohen Group, explored structural differences in U.S.-China relations, economic and trade challenges, and global cooperation opportunities. He emphasized that strengthening dialogue, managing competition, and fostering collaboration are essential for advancing shared interests.
Ju Jiandong and Robert Tyrer gave speeches
On the morning of March 20, the 7th International Forum on Security and Strategy officially commenced, hosted by CISS Director Da Wei. Guo Yong, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Committee at Tsinghua University, delivered the opening remarks, highlighting the forum’s significance and extending a warm welcome to the guests. Following this, Vice Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC), Lu Kang, delivered the keynote speech. Lu Kang noted that while the international order faces severe challenges, maintaining the existing global system and promoting multilateralism remain widely agreed-upon objectives. He reiterated China's role as a steadfast defender of the international order, committed to advancing an equitable and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization.
Guo Yong delivered the opening speech
Lu Kang delivered a keynote speech
The first discussion session on the morning of March 20, titled "Global Order in Flux: Major Adjustments in Great Power Relations," was moderated by Da Wei. Lead speakers included Yan Xuetong, Markus Ederer, Timofei Bordachev, Chen Xiaogong, and Zanny Minton Beddoes. Experts pointed out that the global order is undergoing profound transformations, with multilateral institutions facing challenges and multipolar trends becoming more pronounced. They broadly agreed that shifts in international strategic dynamics, especially changes in U.S. foreign policy, are exerting significant and lasting effects on major power relations. Against this backdrop, U.S.-Europe relations have become increasingly complex, while uncertainties continue to shape U.S.-China interactions.
Session I: Global Order in Flux: Major Adjustments in Great Power Relations
During the luncheon session, Graham Allison, Professor of Political Science at Harvard University and Founding Dean of the Kennedy School of Government, delivered a speech. Allison analyzed uncertainties that could impact the global landscape in 2025, particularly the influence of U.S. domestic and foreign policy shifts on the existing international order. He called for a rational and pragmatic understanding of U.S. political trends, including Trump’s potential policies, urging sustained U.S.-China communication and cooperation to rebuild trust and address global uncertainties together.
Graham Allison delivered a speech
The second session in the afternoon of March 20 focused on ": Global Order in Flux: Economic Ties and Technological Breakthroughs," moderated by Xiao Qian. Lead speakers included Huang Renwei, Craig Allen, Scott Kennedy, Christopher Thomas, and Li Ruishen. The third session, themed "A New Landscape for China-U.S. Relations," was chaired by An Gang, with lead speakers Wang Jisi, Stephen A. Orlins, Zhang Baijia, Susan A. Thornton, Rick Waters, and Paul Triolo. Experts noted that the global economic landscape is significantly influenced by the economic trajectories of the U.S. and China, with technological competition serving as a driving force behind economic transformation. Additionally, global economic rules are being reshaped, with economic security, tariffs, and industrial policies profoundly affecting the international trade system. The rise of technological nationalism could lead to the fragmentation of global technological frameworks.
Session II: Global Order in Flux: Economic Ties and Technological Breakthroughs
Session III: A New Landscape for China-U.S. Relations
On the evening of March 20, Shan Yehua, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Narcotics Control Commission and Deputy Director-General of the Narcotics Control Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security, delivered a dinner speech on the fentanyl issue. Shan underscored the importance of U.S.-China cooperation in combating drug trafficking, reviewing the long history of collaboration between the two nations in this area. She highlighted China’s proactive measures in fentanyl regulation and emphasized that drug control is a global public health and security concern, urging the U.S. and China to strengthen cooperation on an equal and respectful basis to address the global drug crisis.
Shan Yehua delivered a speech
On the morning of March 21, the fourth session, themed ": The Asia-Pacific: Choices and Prospects," was chaired by Chen Qi, with lead speakers Zhang Tuosheng, Lee Sang Hyun, Yun Sun, Lee Sue-Ann, Liu Feng, Michael Vatikiotis, and Zhu Feng. The fifth session, ": Global Issues Amidst a Shifting Order," was moderated by Zhou Bo, with lead speakers Wu Shicun, Sheikh Tanjeb Islam, Zou Ji, Steve Howard, Jennifer Bouey, and Yao Yunzhu. Experts emphasized the evolving security landscape in the Asia-Pacific region. While U.S. strategic engagement in the region remains strong, potential policy shifts under a Trump administration could introduce new variables. They stressed that future regional peace and stability hinge on effective dialogue and cooperation among major powers, avoiding division or the emergence of a new Cold War, fostering multilateral security cooperation, and maintaining regional stability. Additionally, in fields such as climate change, energy, and public health, international collaboration continues to gain momentum.
Session IV: The Asia-Pacifi c: Choices and Prospects
Session V: Global Issues Amidst a Shifting Order
On the afternoon of March 21, the forum’s public media session, titled "The Path Forward," took place. More than 20 renowned experts and young representatives from China and abroad engaged in in-depth discussions on four key areas: youth perspectives, International Order, breakthroughs in U.S.-China relations, and regional cooperation in the Asia-Pacific. Experts exchanged views on pressing global issues, the future trajectory of U.S.-China relations, and emerging areas of collaboration. Media representatives posed questions regarding the role of youth in fostering international understanding, the outlook for U.S.-China economic and trade relations, and potential challenges and opportunities in technological cooperation. Experts provided insightful analyses, offering valuable perspectives for both the media and the audience.
A special parallel youth session was introduced in this year’s forum. Seventeen young leaders from Tsinghua University, Peking University, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Communication University of China, and China Foreign Affairs University, along with nine international guests, engaged in discussions on international relations, global governance, international communication, and personal career development. The inclusion of youth perspectives added vitality and diversity to the forum.
After two full days of discussions, the 7th International Forum on Security and Strategy concluded on the afternoon of March 21. Experts highly praised the forum, noting that, given the current period of major global transformation and realignment, the event was both timely and significant. The forum featured a high caliber of participants, open and in-depth discussions, and constructive dialogues. Many attendees expressed their anticipation for future CISS-hosted events.
