China’s rise is often framed as a challenge to the Western-led international order, with attention focused on how Beijing works within — and pushes back against — liberal institutions. Yet a more consequential shift is underway. China is increasingly shaping global politics through new, Sino-centric forms of multilateralism, building parallel forums that operate alongside, and sometimes beyond, existing institutions.

What is driving this strategy, and how do these new arrangements function in practice? How is China combining hard and soft power to expand its influence? And what does the spread of Sino-centric multilateralism mean for the future of global order?

The Melbourne launch of The Dragon’s Emerging Order: Sino-centric Multilateralism and Global Responses, with editor Joel Ng.

Panel:

Dr Joel Ng (Head of the Centre for Multilateralism Studies, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS)

Dr Alan Chong (Senior Fellow, Centre for Multilateralism Studies, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS)

Dr Su-Hyun Lee (Senior Associate Fellow, Centre for Multilateralism Studies, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS)

Professor Nick Bisley (Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research), La Trobe University)

Dr Mark Manantan (Research Fellow, La Trobe Centre for Global Security)(chair)

Recorded on 27th March, 2026.