The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Progress, Challenges, and China’s Contribution to the Road Ahead

Li Jia & Gong Sen

The UN 2030 Agenda has advanced global consensus, yet implementation gaps and geopolitical contestation persist. As the framework concludes, “post-2030” discourse reveals divergent trajectories: systemic continuity, global restructuring, or regional pluralism. These pathways remain critical for equitable governance. As a pivotal contributor, China must proactively lead in shaping this successor agenda to ensure the future of international cooperation.

Bipolar Politics and the Debate over the Republic of Korea’s Diplomatic Course

Zhang Chi

Post-Cold War diplomacy in the Republic of Korea is defined by polarized partisan debates. While the conservative “Global State” model emphasizes the U.S. alliance and value-based globalism, the progressive “Hub State” strategy prioritizes strategic autonomy and regional balancing. Although these trajectories overlap, the Lee Jae-myung administration’s attempt to synthesize them faces structural headwinds from domestic polarization and geopolitical volatility, leaving this diplomatic fusion uncertain.

An Analysis of U.S. Security Policy Toward Japan in Trump’s Second Term

Meng Xiaoxu

The U.S. security policy toward Japan in Trump’s second term seeks to advance “America First” interests at the lowest cost, leveraging Tokyo as a regional vanguard to contain China. While elevating Japan’s alliance status, this approach intensifies Tokyo’s security apprehensions and accelerates its pursuit of strategic autonomy. These dynamics fundamentally reshape the Asia-Pacific security architecture, necessitating a realignment of alliances while introducing significant new regional risks.

Trump 2.0: Governing Logic and China Policy

Gong Xiaofei

Trump’s second term utilizes right-wing populism to restructure domestic and foreign policy, prioritizing white constituencies while demanding concessions from global partners. This “America First” agenda faces systemic domestic opposition and international resistance. Regarding China, the administration pursues aggressive decoupling and high-tech blockades, yet exhibits heightened transactional flexibility. Ultimately, this strategy of shifting crises through identity politics may accelerate American decline rather than achieving national renewal.

India’s Role in Global Digital Governance: Strategy, Constraints, and Implications

Yang Wenwu & Ma Guibiao

India’s digital strategy aims to catalyze domestic potential, lead the Global South, and enhance discourse. However, Western dominance and technological limitations risk relegating India to a “governed” subject. While Sino-Indian relations involve both shared interests and friction, China remains open to collaboration, advocating for a more inclusive and pluralistic global digital architecture to ensure equitable governance.

The Dilemma and Responses of ASEAN Countries amidst the U.S. Tariff War

Zha Wen

The Trump administration’s “reciprocal tariff” policy, framed as “fair trade,” severely impacts ASEAN. Lacking a unified negotiating framework, individual members have made unilateral concessions to secure trade deals. While providing short-term relief, this undermines ASEAN centrality and complicates strategic autonomy. These pressures reshape the “Indo-Pacific Strategy” and regional integration. If managed strategically, however, this external shock could catalyze deeper regional cooperation and strengthen China-ASEAN ties.