Lecture: International Organizations and Multilateral Diplomacy

On November 9, 2017, distinguished professor Shen Yongxiang gave a lecture on “international organizations and Multilateral diplomacy” to the first-year master students.

Four parts were included in this lecture. Mr. Shen first clarified the distinction between the "multilateral diplomacy" and "international organization" and related concepts. Multilateral diplomacy is contrast to bilateral diplomacy and international organizations are different from international conferences and international mechanisms. Mr. Shen also explained this problem by taking the dialogue mechanism between China and EU, AU and ASEAN as an example. Putting forward his view that the transition of bilateral diplomacy to multilateral diplomacy is the trend of development, Mr. Shen then explained that it is mainly due to three changes in the international community: first, the national liberation movement makes a large number of independent states appear; the second is the emergence of international organizations and the third is that the international community is changing from relationship-oriented to institution-oriented. The third part mainly focuses on the forces that influence the relationship-oriented international society transiting to the institution-type of international community. The European Union is a positive contributor to this shift while the United States has a negative attitude towards it. The rise of the developing world, represented by China, is the biggest change in the international community and the biggest factor driving this shift. Small and weak countries are also staunch supporters of this shift. In the forth part, Mr. Shen put forward the existing problems in international community, such as that the international community is still dominated by strength and countries are not ready to transfer state power. Correspondingly, China should advocate multilateral diplomacy and multilateral international community but insist on improving our own strength to safeguard national interests.

At last, students raised questions such as China's human rights situation actively and Mr. Shen patiently responded. All the students eagerly looked forward to the next lecture.