We apologize for the occasionally distorted audio from Sarwar Kashmeri. He was experiencing a severe thunder storm at his location that interfered with his audio transmission.

How does China view its role—both principled and pragmatic—in the evolving West Asia crisis; Especially as it involves energy, trade, global political economy. How do current tensions affect Beijing’s long-term strategic planning. Is China truly neutral, or selectively aligned?
How do Global South countries interpret China’s position on the war. How this conflict reflects broader shifts in global governance and international norms.
——————————————— 

ZHA Daojiong 
Professor of International Political Economy in the School of International Studies and the Institute of South-South Cooperation and Development, Peking University, Beijing, China. 

His areas of expertise include non-traditional security studies, international political economy and China’s international economic relations. His research publications cover such topics as energy, cross-boundary water management, development aid and public health, and international development cooperation. He also contributes opinion pieces in newspapers including the South China Morning Post. He studied at the University of Hawaii and the East West Center, where he earned a Doctorate in Political Science. Before joining the faculty of Peking University, he taught in the University of Macau, International University of Japan, Miyazaki International College, and Renmin University of China.