Comments
Several Issues Needing Attention in Constructing the Peace System on the Korean Peninsula
Liang Lichang • 32 •
In 2018, great changes took place in the situation on the Korean Peninsula. The DPRK has taken the initiative on diplomatic engagement. Through having summit talks with the three countries respectively of China, ROK and the United States, DPRK has again provided impetus for the realization of the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. In the new round of negotiations, resolving the DPRK nuclear issue and building a system of peace on the Korean Peninsula remain the key issues of concern to all parties. In the process of building a system of peace, it is necessary not only to clarify the root causes of the DPRK nuclear issue, but also to choose appropriate forms of talks and adopt flexible strategies to promote the denuclearization on the Korean Peninsul
New Thinking in China’s New Public Diplomacy in Promoting Overseas Infrastructure Projects
Ouyang Qian • 38 •
Under the guidance of the Belt and Road Initiative, China’s overseas infrastructure construction has yielded fruitful results. The innovation model of cooperation on the third-party market has been developed, and infrastructure interconnection will continue to deepen. China’s overseas infrastructure construction is ushering in a new historic opportunity. Geopolitical risks, political variables of host countries, terrorism and the trends on anti-globalization will also bring many challenges to overseas infrastructure investment and construction for a long time. Based on the analysis of the systematic design of US private investment corporations’ investment and cooperation overseas, and the American practice on protecting their national overseas interest, this paper provides new ideas for China to learn from the US public diplomacy, to promote overseas infrastructure construction through public diplomacy, and to effectively realize overseas interest protection.
Successful Experience of Table Tennis Diplomacy between China and Papua New Guinea
Zhai Xujin • 46 •
Table tennis diplomacy has played an important role in diplomatic activities between China and the Independent State of Papua New Guinea (PNG). This paper analyses the role, successful experience and strategic significance of table tennis diplomacy in diplomatic activities and on bilateral relations. Table tennis diplomatic activities with PNG represent a public diplomacy effort with multiple actors and diverse contents. It has not only been an event of sport diplomacy, but also of educational diplomacy, effectively pushing forward the Belt and Road Initiative in PNG as well as all-around pragmatic cooperation between the two countries, expanding the influence of the BRI to the Oceania and Pacific island countries in a better and faster way. Moreover, it has promoted China’s major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, contributed to the cause of world table tennis and established a good national image of China.
Interview
The Return of the Esoteric Sect Is My Greatest Wish in Life
Wang Mo & Ekan Ikeguchi • 54 •
Ekan Ikeguchi is the resident abbot at Shojoshinin in Bekkaku-honzan (special head temple) of the Koyasan Shingon sect in Japan. Being a holy place of Buddhism in Japan, Koyasan Mount was recognized by the UNESCO as a site of World Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2004. Highly respected in Japan, Ekan Ikeguchi is an expert in goma fire rituals. He enjoys strong influence in Japan’s political, economic and academic circles and has had close relations with such political figures as Junichiro Koizumi, Shinzo Abe and Hiroshiro Nozo. Master Ikekou believes in and practices the Buddhist concept of treating both enemies and friends the same way. He holds the view that religion should serve the country and diplomacy. He has a deep relationship with two generations of DPRK leaders and maintains close contacts with Russian leaders. He is called Shinzo Abe’s spiritual mentor. Because of his influence on Japanese politics, he is referred to as “the eccentric monk of the Prime Minister’s Residence” by the Japanese media.
