By: Jianli Yang & Aaron Rhodes | Dec 10, 2020
Multilateral international institutions were set up after World War II to ensure peace, stability, and cooperation on the basis of a shared commitment to fundamental human rights principles. While the Trump administration has distanced itself from multilateralism with an “America First” approach, the Chinese communist regime has sought to promote and exploit multilateralism in pursuit of a “China First” policy, one that is at variance not only with America’s national interests, but with those of the rest of the world’s sovereign states as well.
Today, as American policymakers look toward renewed engagement in these institutions and processes, the dark side of multilateralism—driven by the malfeasance of authoritarian regimes that typically distort human rights principles to protect their power—obligates a nuanced approach to multilateralism in meeting China’s challenge and, more generally, promoting freedom and international security. [Continue Reading]
Source: https://providencemag.com/2020/12/getting-multilateralism-right-in-dealing-with-chinas-challenge/