Observing US foreign policy requires a deep grasp of US political characteristics: Chinese scholar

The Global Times Annual Conference 2025, themed "Moving forward in Partnership: Resonance of Values between China and the World," was held in Beijing on Saturday. During a discussion on the topic "Exploring the Path of Great Power Relations: Differences and Consensus," Fang Ning, chair professor at Sichuan University, stated that to observe US foreign policy today, it is essential to deeply understand the characteristics of US politics.

During the discussion, Cui Hongjian, professor of the Academy of Regional and Global Governance at Beijing Foreign Studies University and panel moderator, posed a question: "Despite the many challenges we face today, is it still possible for major powers to ultimately reach some kind of consensus and return to the direction of stable cooperation?" 

In response, Fang remarked, "There is a general understanding or consensus that a country's foreign policy and international relations are greatly influenced by its domestic politics. I have studied four US presidential elections over more than a decade, and this time I've gained new insights. We often talk about fundamental issues or underlying logic. So, what is the underlying logic or fundamental issue in US domestic politics? It's essentially about elections, and about votes."

Fang further explained that observing US foreign policy necessitates studying the distinct characteristics of US political system, particularly voter behavior and attitudes. He noted that modern political science, shaped by US elections, also serves electoral needs. He identified this as a fundamental issue.