Jiang Feng, research fellow at the Shanghai International Studies University and president of the Shanghai Association of Regional and Country Studies. Photo: GT

The Global Times Annual Conference 2025, themed "Moving forward in Partnership: Resonance of Values between China and the World," took place in Beijing on Saturday. During a discussion on the topic "Addressing the Global Security Deficit: Hotspots and Solutions," Jiang Feng, research fellow at the Shanghai International Studies University and president of the Shanghai Association of Regional and Country Studies, stated that China is a responsible major power. And by properly managing its relations with the US, the EU, and the Global South, China is making significant contribution to global security.

Jiang highlighted that today's global security deficit is multifaceted, encompassing not only political and military security issues but also those related to economics, technology, society, climate change, and artificial intelligence. He noted that modern international relations transcend traditional national interests and borders. Many global challenges, like climate and artificial intelligence, are transboundary in nature and call for perspectives and theoretical support that surpass traditional security paradigms.

On the topic of peace and security, Jiang remarked that peace and security challenges vary across nations. He emphasized the importance of adopting a case-by-case approach when analyzing these issues. In Jiang's view, the US, driven by hegemonic ambitions, seeks a confrontation with China where one cannot coexist with the other, while Europe aims to maximize its benefits in cooperation with China, positioning the relationship as non-zero-sum. He stressed that a systematic and in-depth understanding of the dynamics of cooperation or competition, grounded in precise regional and country-specific insights, is essential for formulating strategies and addressing the security deficit.

Jiang further reiterated that China's efforts to manage China-US relations, China-EU relations, and relations with the Global South are pivotal to enhancing global security. He suggested that China should strive to "minimize losses" in its relations with the US, "tap into potential" in China-EU relations, and "consolidate and expand shared interests" with the Global South. By doing so, China can strengthen global cooperation, counterbalance hegemonic forces and foster stability.