Chiung-Chiu Huang presented a research paper she is currently writing at the AIA Fellow Colloquium. She focused primarily on the theoretical framework of the paper and also gave insights into her case studies. At the center of her considerations is the “International United Front” strategy, which she believes is crucial to understanding China’s foreign policy and geostrategic ambitions in the 21st century.

There is still little knowledge and understanding in Western public discourse of how China sees the world and acts in an international context. Traditional Western concepts of alliance and bloc formation generally do not get very far here. The concept of the “united front” is generally about allying with the lesser enemies in order to defeat the greater ones. In the context of the “International United Front”, China is concerned with working together with other nations, regions or groups in the form of a partnership rather than a traditional alliance.  In this way of thinking, a classic hegemon in a leadership role is also no longer necessary. In contrast, it is important to allow as much flexibility as possible – which is certainly an attractive offer for many states around the world in the current global situation. A key element here is also the distinction between progressive forces, hostile forces and intermediate forces. China is concentrating its diplomatic efforts primarily on the intermediate forces, which are seen as neither friend nor foe, but as something in between. With this theoretical framework, Chiung-Chiu will take a closer look at China’s relationship with ASEAN and China’s relationship with the Eastern European states as case studies.