Opinion | China is ready to be an anchor in a brave new multipolar world

The title of the latest Munich Security Report says it all. After 2022’s “Turning the Tide – Unlearning Helplessness”, 2023’s “Re: vision” and last year’s “Lose-Lose?”, this year’s tome, released ahead of the Munich Security Conference last month, is called “Multipolarisation”. The unipolar era has ended.

As US President Donald Trump’s agenda takes shape, many attendees seem to view China as a stabilising counterweight – a role China appears poised to embrace.

The conference’s thematic arc mirrors a broader reckoning. Three years ago, the debate over “collective helplessness” captured the disarray in the transatlantic sphere. Last year’s exploration of “lose-lose dynamics” framed the tensions of zero-sum competition. This year’s focus on multipolarisation reflects a world of dispersing powers – a transition turbocharged by Trump 2.0.

Trump’s tariff threats and deal-making instincts dominated Munich’s corridors, casting a shadow over discussions as attendees grappled with the implications of his aggressive trade agenda.

Amid this, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s call for multilateralism resonated deeply, offering a counterpoint that emphasised cooperation over confrontation in a shifting geopolitical landscape. His vision of an “equal and orderly multipolar world” struck a chord with those seeking stability, while his critique of protectionism underscored China’s contrasting approach to global ties.