On the afternoon of July 6, Wu Baiyi, Director of the Institute of Latin American Studies of CASS, gave a report entitled “Changes in the Strategic Environment and Transformation of China’s Foreign Relations” at the Auditorium of Shanghai Academy. The report meeting was chaired by Wen Xueguo, Executive Vice President of Shanghai Academy.

In terms of changes in the strategic environment, Wu Baiyi noted that the world’s landscape is undergoing drastic changes that can be viewed in four aspects, these being: market changes, changes in systems or rules, transfer of power, and changes in moral images. The changes in the strategic environment call for a new strategic posture of a rising power, and this strategic posture must be sustainable, having both a material foundation and spiritual support.

Regarding the changes in the strategic environment, Wu Baiyi proposed three principles for response: i) Coexistence and reconstruction; ii) China cannot rely on others and so must accelerate self-innovation in the transformation of foreign relations; iii) China must manage its own affairs well to further improve its ability to control the overall situation in the world.

Wu Baiyi also had interactions with the audience about topics such as “conspiracy theory”, the “middle income trap in Argentina”, the “possible obstacles in China’s cooperation with Latin America”, the “influence of religious issues on China’s cooperation with Latin America” and “China’s cooperation with Venezuela” during a warm and lively atmosphere.　　

An audience of more than 50, comprising researchers, media workers, teachers and students from Jiangnan Rural Commercial Bank, China Daily, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, Shanghai Alumni Association and Jiangsu Alumni Association of the Graduate School of CASS, the Institute of Latin America Studies of CASS, the College of International Exchange, the College of Film and Television Art & Technology and the College of Liberal Arts of Shanghai University as well as SHU-UTS SILC Business School, heard the lecture given by Wu Baiyi.