On November 3, 2023, the Institute of International and Strategic Studies (IISS), Peking University (PKU) held the seminar on "Southeast Asia under China-U.S. Strategic Competition" & the 15th North Pavilion Salon.

Experts and scholars from academic and research institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, University of International Business and Economics, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Xiamen University, China Foreign Affairs University, and the School of International Relations were invited for in-depth discussions at the seminar. Prof. Yu Tiejun, President of IISS, and Associate Prof. Gui Yongtao, Vice President, IISS, PKU, attended the meeting and delivered speeches. The salon was chaired by Associate Prof. Yi Yuan from the School of International Relations/Research School for Southeast Asian Studies at Xiamen University.

The North Pavilion Salon aims to promote a profound dialogue between theoretical research and policy studies by providing a platform for exchanges among young and middle-aged scholars. The participating experts focused on the multi-level and multi-field impacts faced by Southeast Asian countries against the background of China-U.S. strategic competition and their strategic choices. The discussions highlighted research paths for related issues, characteristics of ASEAN and its external behavioral styles, regional multilateral security cooperation, domestic politics in Southeast Asian countries, and the strategic culture of Southeast Asia, covering specific countries and regions such as the South China Sea, the Strait of Malacca, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. The experts noted that the increasing China-U.S. strategic competition is pressuring Southeast Asian countries to choose sides, while their strategic choices are influenced by various factors including international system, domestic politics, socio-economy, and historical-cultural elements. They believe that more efforts should be made to further promote the cross-integration of international strategic research with area studies on the issues regarding how Southeast Asian countries shall respond to China-U.S. strategic competition.

Editor: Li Fangqi, Photographer: Zheng Peijie