China in the World: New Visions of World Order or ‘More of the Same’
Date & Time: December 15, 2025 (Monday) 17:30-18:30
Venue: Academic Conference Room, 11/F Cheng Yu Tung Tower, The University of Hong Kong (also available via Zoom)
Language: English
Abstract:
China celebrates the 80th Anniversary of the UN by affirming its adherence to the Principles of International Law as the common language of world order. It also upholds the central place of the UN. There is no explicit mention of the frequent violations of international law, nor of the obvious divisions within the UN, which make it ineffective. China has a very difficult diplomatic path to tread. If it says the international legal order is incomplete, defective, or out of date China will probably find itself branded as a ‘revisionist power’ bent on overturning the international order. Instead, China is careful not to mention export of its own model of either domestic or international society. It speaks of a democratic world order based upon the sovereign equality of states. However, there is also a Chinese call for a Dialogue of Civilizations. Within these terms China does present alternative visions of world society for discussion and exchange with other civilizations. This is a program undertaken both at the official state level and among Chinese and sympathetic foreign intellectuals. This lecture will explore the origins, practicalities, and limitations of this invitation to reflect on the present world order.
Speaker：Professor Anthony Carty
Prof. Carty was formerly Sir Y. K. Pao Chair of Public Law, Faculty of Law, HKU. He is currently Visiting Senior Scholar at Nanjing University. He is a leading scholar of international law. His publications include (among others): The Decay of International Law (2nd edn 2019), Philosophy of International Law (2nd edn 2017), History and Sovereignty of the South China Sea Islands (2023). He is Editor-in-Chief of the Oxford Bibliography Online in International Law.
Chair:
Albert Chen, Cheng Chan Lan Yue Professor of Constitutional Law, Faculty of Law, The University of Hong Kong
This is a hybrid event, open to both in-person and online audiences. Prior registration is required. Please visit https://bit.ly/3M19hIQ to register. For inquiries, please email Louisa at .
This event is co-hosted with Centre on Contemporary China and the World (CCCW) of The University of Hong Kong.
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