War and Peace in the 21st Century “China and the US: Can Bipolar Confrontation Be Avoided?”

In the last quarter of 2022, China and the United States faced two decisive political moments. On the one hand, in mid-October China held the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party, in which Xi Jinping was re-elected as Secretary General for a third term, and the main lines of domestic and foreign policy were drawn up. On the other hand, in early November the US held mid-term legislative elections, in which the management of the Biden Administration was evaluated. Both milestones could mark a turning point for the internal and international politics of the two great global superpowers at a time when the relationship between them has been marked by a growing logic of rivalry and confrontation. Simultaneously, revisionist powers such as Russia are seeking to shape the international order based on spheres of influence and the European Union is advancing its discussions on strategic autonomy and trying to increase its geopolitical profile, while moving towards greater levels of integration, as a result of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The logic of a new bipolar confrontation between China and the US also threatens global governance, multilateral institutions and globalisation as we have known them during the last decades. Against this backdrop, protecting global cooperation and public goods is of utmost importance. The recent pandemic, the climate and energy crisis, food security and the impact of new technologies are challenges that require greater doses of international cooperation, solidarity, and the establishment of governance frameworks that favour agreements between great powers. No block will be able to handle international challenges alone, and interdependence will continue to be a fundamental element of the global order. The conference “China and the US: Can Bipolar Confrontation Be Avoided?” will analyse the conflict relations between great powers and outline areas where cooperation can emerge, while promoting constructive relations for global public goods.

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