From May 26 to 27, Dr. Sun Chenghao,Fellow at the Center for International Security and Strategy (CISS), Tsinghua University, visited Yonsei University in South Korea at the university’s invitation. During the visit, Dr. Sun held meetings with the Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS), Underwood International College, and the Institute of China Studies at Yonsei University. He engaged in in-depth discussions with faculty and students, including Professor Kim Dongchan of GSIS and Professor Jiamin Jeon of Underwood International College, on topics such as Track II diplomacy, U.S.-China relations, artificial intelligence, and international security governance.

Dr. Sun introduced the role of Track II diplomacy, emphasizing that it often focuses on specific issues and can provide frameworks for addressing broader international political topics. Through sustained dialogue and trust-building, Track II diplomacy can help different parties gradually reach consensus or narrow their differences.

Regarding current U.S.-China relations, Dr. Sun pointed out the importance of closely observing the decision-making style of former President Trump and his China-related policy team. He noted that while there are continuities in Trump’s second-term China policy, some strategic adjustments are also evident. In the field of technology—particularly artificial intelligence—the U.S. is intensifying competition with China by stimulating domestic innovation and increasing pressure on China. As a result, third-party countries, including South Korea, may face growing pressure to take sides in the tech domain.

Dr. Sun also shared his views on cooperation and divergence between China and the United States in AI governance and answered questions from faculty and students on topics including China’s diplomacy, China-U.S. relations, China-Europe relations, and transatlantic relations.