A high-level delegation from the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS) visited the Policy Studies Institute (PSI) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Tuesday July 9, 2024, and the delegation undertakes a workshop exploring China-Ethiopian and China-African economic relations and development cooperation.
The Chinese and Ethiopian Experts Convene for Workshop on Economic Relations and Cooperation. The workshop was opened by H.E. Prof. Beyene Petros, the Director General of PSI, who welcomed the SIIS delegation and provided an overview of PSI's work and the potential for collaboration between the two institutions.
Prof. Li Kaisheng, Vice President and senior fellow of Shanghai Institutes for International Studies and H.E. Prof. Beyene Petros, DG of PSI[LR]
In his opening remarks, H.E. Prof. Beyene Petros, welcomed the SIIS delegation and expressed gratitude for the frequent visits by Chinese universities and think tanks to PSI. He explained that PSI has been advising the Ethiopian government on various public policy issues, and the institute also evaluates existing policies to determine if they should be continued, amended, revised, or renewed.
Prof. Beyene noted that PSI has 14 research departments covering areas from economics and trade to agriculture, touching on all aspects of life related to public policy. He said the institute is highly capable of conducting nationwide projects, such as the Agricultural Growth Program (AGP). Importantly, he highlighted that China is the number one source of foreign direct investment in Ethiopia, and he expressed a desire to learn more about how China has achieved its rapid development.
The SIIS delegation was led by Prof. Li Kaisheng, the Vice President and a Senior Fellow at the institute. Prof. Li introduced the SIIS team, which included Prof. Zhou Yuyuan, Deputy Director and Senior Fellow of the Center for West Asian and African Studies, Prof. Jin Liangxiang, Senior Fellow of the same center, Dr. Yu Haijie, Assistant Research Fellow, and Ms. Huang Wenting, Division Chief of the Department of Research Management.
Prof. Li said the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS) was founded in 1960 as a comprehensive research institution and is one of the first government-affiliated think tanks in China dedicated to international studies.
Prof. Zhou Yuyuan, deputy director and senior fellow of the Center for West Asian and African Studies, SIIS
Prof. Li explained that over the past six decades, SIIS has played a crucial role in conducting strategic research, making policy recommendations and contributing to the understanding of international politics, economics, security and other related fields. It has become an important institution that informs and shapes China’s foreign policy and global engagement and has been recognized as one of the most influential think tanks in China and globally. Recently, SIIS has further raised its profile by playing an important role in expanding Shanghai’s global connections and promoting China’s international communication.
Prof. Jin Liangxiang, senior fellow of the Center for West Asian and African Studies, SIIS
Prof. Li stated that SIIS comprises six institutes, namely the Institute of Global Governance Studies, the Institute of Foreign Policy Studies, the Institute of World Economic Studies, the Institute of International Strategy and Security Studies, the Institute of Public Policy and Innovation, and the Institute of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Studies, as well as eight Centers for Regional Studies, namely the Center for American Studies, the Center for Russian and Central Asian Studies, the Center for West Asian and African Studies, the Center for European Studies, the Center for Maritime and Polar Studies, the Center for Northeast Asian Studies, the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, and the Center for South Asian Studies. SIIS has also established eight internal research platforms: the Center for the Study of Chinese Diplomatic Theory and Practice, the Center for Shanghai-in-the-World Studies, the Center for International Communication Studies, the Center for the Study of World Politics and Political Parties, and the Center for BRI and Shanghai Studies.
Dr. Yu Haijie, Assistant research fellow of the Center for West Asian and African Studies, SIIS
Prof. Li explained that as a policy advisory institution accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, SIIS actively collaborates with government agencies and higher education institutions and establishes joint research centers. Examples include the Center for Cyberspace Governance (with the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission), the Center for Public Diplomacy (with the Shanghai People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries), the Postdoctoral Workstation (with East China Normal University) and the Institute for the Study of International Organizations and Global Governance (with Shanghai University of Finance and Economics).
Ms. Huang Wenting, Division chief of the Department of Research Management, SIIS
Prof. Li said SIIS presides over the Shanghai Society of International Relations and the Shanghai Institute for International Strategic Studies and hosts a number of research groups, such as the Shanghai Japan Studies Society, the Shanghai Institute for European Studies and the Shanghai Institute for Future Asian Studies.
Prof. Li note that SIIS is also a founding member and held the first rotating chairmanship of the CICA Think Tank Forum. It is also a member of international think tank networks such as T20 and the Council of Councils. Prof. Li underscored that SIIS publishes two academic journals: Global Review (Chinese, bimonthly) and China Quarterly of International Strategic Studies (English), and occasionally publishes articles in Chinese and English. He also urged PSI researchers to publish their findings on these journals.
Prof. Li Kaisheng, the Vice President and a Senior Fellow at SIIS, introduced the delegation, noting that SIIS has around 90 staff, with 60 being researchers and 30 being support staff. Unlike the larger PSI which has more than 160 staff, SIIS has a more focused team dedicated to research and analysis.
Prof. Li Kaisheng, Vice President and senior fellow of Shanghai Institutes for International Studies and H.E. Prof. Beyene Petros, DG of PSI[LR]
The other SIIS delegates, including Prof. Zhou Yuyuan, Prof. Jin Liangxiang, Dr. Yu Haijie, and Ms. Huang Wenting, emphasized the strong relations between China and Africa, with the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) playing a crucial role in strengthening these ties. They also highlighted the strong bilateral relationship between China and Ethiopia.
The experts from both sides discussed the potential for PSI and SIIS to work together in various areas. They suggested collaborating on research and policy analysis related to Ethiopia's development plans, both the current and future five-year plans. The idea of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two institutions was also explored, as well as the possibility of publishing joint articles in SIIS's journals and engaging in capacity-building initiatives.
H.E. Prof. Beyene Petros also appreciated the close working relationship between PSI and the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, stating, "The relationship we have with the Embassy is strong." He added that as an agrarian country with a population of over 130 million, Ethiopia presents opportunities for PSI and SIIS to collaborate on agricultural and rural development issues.
The free-flowing discussion and exchange focused on a range of topics, including Ethiopia's development planning and policies, China-Ethiopian relations, China-African cooperation within the BRICS framework, industrialization in Ethiopia, and China's investment in the country.
The first speaker, Prof. Li Kaisheng, provided insights on the current state of USA-China relations. He explained that the United States views China as its top geopolitical competitor, and US officials have often stated that the "Cold War is over." However, Prof. Li asserted that China has the right to pursue its own development path. He noted that China adheres to the philosophy of Taoism, which emphasizes co-existence and harmony, rather than aggression.
Prof. Li Kaisheng explained that Taoism teaches that all living beings should strive to exist in a state of harmony with the universe and the energy that permeates it. This fundamental life force, known as ch'i or qi, is believed to be present in and guide everything in the cosmos. The Tao Te Ching and other classical Taoist texts offer guidance on how to conduct oneself and cultivate spiritual practices that align with this universal energy.
The core Taoist principle is to live in accordance with the Tao, or the "Way" - the natural order and flow of the universe. Taoists seek to transcend the dualities and complexities of the human world by returning to a simple, natural state of being. Through practices like meditation, contemplation of nature, and non-action (wei wu wei), Taoists aim to achieve a state of harmony, balance, and oneness with the Tao.
Prof. Li Kaisheng explained emphasized that rather than attempting to control or conquer the natural world, Taoism emphasizes the importance of adapting to it, going with the flow, and embracing the spontaneity and effortlessness found in the rhythms of the universe. This Taoist worldview stands in contrast to the more goal-oriented, competitive mindset prevalent in many other philosophies and belief systems.
Prof. Kaisheng also took the opportunity to introduce three key initiatives proposed by China to the PSI researchers. The Global Development Initiative aims to promote more balanced, coordinated, and inclusive global development. The Global Security Initiative focuses on upholding the common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security for all. The Global Civilization Initiative seeks to encourage dialogue and exchanges between different civilizations to build a community with a shared future for mankind.
Prof. Kaisheng emphasized that these initiatives reflect China's commitment to multilateralism and its desire to work with the international community to address global challenges. He expressed hope that PSI and other Ethiopian institutions could explore opportunities to collaborate and contribute to the success of these initiatives.
Prof. Kaisheng acknowledged that the world is currently in a turbulent situation. He emphasized that in navigating these challenges, China often prioritizes principles of coexistence, harmony, and mutual respect, rather than a unilateral approach.
Elaborating further, Prof. Kaisheng explained that China's concept of security differs from traditional notions. For China, security refers to a comprehensive and sustainable model of cooperation, as exemplified by its recent mediation efforts between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Prof. Kaisheng also highlighted the commonalities between China's Global Civilization Initiative and the shared histories and traditions of ancient civilizations like China and Ethiopia. He suggested that this cultural and philosophical alignment could serve as a foundation for strengthening China-Ethiopia cooperation, even amidst the global uncertainties.
The PSI researchers engaged in a thoughtful discussion, exploring how China's alternative security paradigm and its emphasis on civilizational dialogue could shape its foreign policy priorities and relationships, particularly in the African context. The discussion on USA-China relations and China's new global proposals generated keen interest among the PSI researchers, who posed follow-up questions and sought further elaboration from the SIIS delegation.
"This workshop provides an important platform for experts from China and Ethiopia to have an open and candid dialogue on the evolving economic ties between our countries and the broader region," said Prof. Li. "We hope that this exchange will contribute to deeper mutual understanding and identify new avenues for practical cooperation.". He urged researchers to understand these issues in the contemporary global order.
Prof. Yuyuan also discussed the purpose of the SIIS delegation's visit to PSI. He noted that this year has been designated as the "African Year" by China. In this context, he explained that a new China-Africa Forum on Cooperation (FOCAC) summit will be held in Beijing soon.
Prof. Yuyuan acknowledged that China-Africa relations are now at a new crossroads, given the profound transformations taking place globally. He elaborated on the evolving dynamics, including the rise of groupings like BRICS and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
According to Prof. Yuyuan, all these changes are aimed at promoting global governance and strengthening South-South cooperation. He emphasized that unity and collaboration have become a major agenda for the Global South. Reflecting on the past two decades, Prof. Yuyuan said there has been a remarkable transformation in bilateral and multilateral issues. He argued that the traditional model of China-Africa relations needs to be adjusted to align with the new global realities.
Prof. Zhou Yuyuan also acknowledged the new challenges China is facing, such as the economic slowdown and the Russia-Ukraine war. He stressed the need for a fresh approach to the China-Africa relations landscape to address these emerging challenges. Prof. Yuyuan emphasized the critical role of investment in addressing many of the challenges facing the Global South. He stressed that investment is crucial for driving transformative change in various domains, including the green economy, technology, and digitalization.
According to Prof. Yuyuan, China is highly willing to invest in Africa, including in Ethiopia, across sectors such as construction, infrastructure, services, agriculture, and manufacturing. He explained that the Chinese government is leveraging the full potential of both the private and public sectors to facilitate these investment flows.
However, Prof. Yuyuan also cautioned that the core issue is the investment climate in Africa, including in Ethiopia. He highlighted that African governments, including Ethiopia's, need to consider factors such as foreign exchange regulations, tax compliance, and other investment-related policies and directives that may be hindering Chinese investment.
Prof. Yuyuan urged the African governments to create a more conducive and enabling environment for foreign investment, particularly from China. He emphasized that addressing these investment-related challenges is crucial for unlocking the transformative potential of Chinese capital and technology in the African context.
The PSI researchers listened attentively and raised several follow-up questions, seeking a deeper understanding of the specific investment-related barriers and opportunities in the China-Africa cooperation landscape. The PSI researchers listened intently to Prof. Yuyuan's insights and raised several follow-up questions, seeking a deeper understanding of China's evolving strategies and priorities in its engagement with Africa.
Prof. Jin Liangxiang emphasized the need for the Ethiopian government to reform its foreign exchange regulation framework and financial regulations. He stated that China is working to strengthen China-Africa relations, including through people-to-people exchanges.
Prof. Jin Liangxiang also noted that China is increasingly concerned about security issues in Africa, particularly in the Horn of Africa region. Additionally, he said China now views the situation in Gaza as a matter of justice.
Prof. Yuyuan acknowledged that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is facing major challenges from external actors. He also mentioned that the Chinese Foreign Ministry had established a grant called the China-Africa Exchange and Research Fund, but this fund has been disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Finally, the PSI researchers reminded the delegation of the importance of collaborating on joint research, capacity building, and staff exchanges between the two institutions. These efforts can help strengthen the partnership between China and Ethiopia.
The event concluded with closing remarks and a group photograph of the participants. Both PSI and SIIS expressed a commitment to continue exploring ways to collaborate and foster stronger links between their respective institutions and research communities.