Mapping the Global Power Dynamics: China's International United Front Theory Reconsidered Guest Speaker - Professor Chiung-Chiu Huang

There is much existing IR literature examining China's strategic logic and tactics from within the conventional Chinese political philosophy; few have focused on the influences of the CCP's ideological doctrines. This talk argues that the importance of the CCP's ideological pursuit and executions has been underestimated; one of the crucial indicators is the re-emphasis on the United Front Work Department since Xi Jinping's term began in late 2012. The CCP's United Front strategy has frequently been viewed as merely targeting China's domestic and diaspora groups. It also further argues that the United Front logic is also widely applied in the PRC's expansion of political influence. This talk plans to investigate its influence and application by
conceptualizing the logic of the United Front through the theoretical angle of the Balance of Relations. The case studies include China's interactions with the 16+1 states in Europe and the ASEAN members in Southeast Asia.