2026.06.12
2025 was a busy yet productive year for the Grandview Institution (GVI). All research projects were carried out smoothly and their results released to the public. Institutionalized dialogues were intensively advanced and further deepened. And annual forums were organized in an orderly manner, producing fruitful outcomes. As a research-oriented think tank that is professional, pragmatic, open, and international, GVI had another year of substantive progress in research and international exchanges.
The Grandview Institution Annual Report 2025 captures GVI’s long footprint in details in two sections—key research reports and key exchange events—and ten subcategories, including independent research, joint research, current affairs research, annual dialogues, dialogue series, ambassador roundtables, track-II exchanges, participation in overseas events, outbound research visits, and Academic Committee meeting. The aim of the Annual Report is to inform the public and to document GVI’s key milestones.
Author: Liu Xiaobo, Director of the Maritime Research Center, Grandview Institution
Summary: China enjoys indisputable sovereignty over all the South China Sea islands and their adjacent waters. In recent years, the construction on South China Sea islands and reefs and the so-called militarization issue have become a major focus of international media attention. The Chinese government has carried out relevant construction and facility maintenance on some garrisoned islands and reefs in the South China Sea, aiming to improve the working and living conditions of stationed personnel, meet essential national defense and civilian needs, and better safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. Such construction falls within China’s scope of sovereignty, which is reasonable, justified and legitimate. It does not target or affect any other country and is entirely beyond reproach. Meanwhile, Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia have continuously carried out land reclamation, infrastructure construction and military deployment on some of the Nansha islands and reefs they illegally occupy. They have also strengthened their so-called administrative jurisdiction through civilian activities such as relocating more civilians, expanding fishing and aquaculture, and providing fishery and maritime navigation services. All these acts constitute serious infringements upon China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. Particularly since 2022, Vietnam and the Philippines have further intensified construction activities on the illegally occupied islands and reefs. Vietnam has conducted large-scale land expansion on multiple islands and reefs, with newly reclaimed land area reaching 3 square kilometers, far exceeding the total construction over the past four decades. The Philippines has repeatedly attempted to reinforce and renovate its warship illegally stranded at Ren’ai Jiao. Such actions serve to complicate and escalate disputes and undermine regional peace and stability.
2. Independent Research: The Role of China in Facilitating Russia-Ukraine Reconciliation
Author: Mao Jing, Director of the European Research Center, Grandview Institution
Summary: Based on the evolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, this report adopts modeling analysis to deduce four highly probable outcomes of the conflict. It collates 35 official statements issued by the Chinese government regarding its stance on the conflict, analyzes the characteristics and essence of such positions, and identifies major external factors that may influence China’s policy decisions, including divergent visions of the international order among various countries, major powers’ policies toward China, and battlefield dynamics. On this basis, the report assesses possible measures that the Chinese government may take to facilitate conflict termination and advance regional stability and peace.
3. Independent Research: South China Sea Security Report 2024
Author:
Xiaobo Liu, Director of the Maritime Research Center, Grandview Institution
Yi Wushuang, Research Fellow of the Maritime Research Center, Grandview Institution
Summary: In 2024, the security dynamics of the South China Sea have become increasingly complex and multi-dimensional, marked by heightened geopolitical contests and frequent interactions among stakeholders. Dangerous maritime and aerial standoffs and unexpected incidents have occurred frequently in parts of the South China Sea. Risks of escalating tensions and armed conflicts keep rising, posing severe challenges to regional security order as well as peace and stability. Apart from sudden maritime and aerial confrontations, disputes and contests over maritime rights and interests within the framework of international law have become a predominant feature. In particular, legal disputes concerning territorial sea baselines, maritime delimitation and the legitimacy of sovereignty claims have grown increasingly frequent, further highlighting the complex and multi-faceted nature of the South China Sea issue.
4. Independent Research: The Evolution of U.S. Export Controls and Policy Trends of Semiconductor Export Restrictions Toward China
Author: Zhang Yi, Senior Research Fellow of Grandview Institution
Summary: By reviewing the historical evolution of the U.S. export control system, this report examines changes in U.S. semiconductor export restrictions against China since the onset of tech competition between the two countries. It also looks at the latest policy developments in this area under Trump 2.0. The report aims to analyze the policy background, motivations, outcomes, and future trends.
5. Independent Research: Tracking and Analysis of Global Public Opinion on the South China Sea (2024)
Author: Yi Wushuang, Research Fellow of the Maritime Research Center, Grandview Institution
Summary: This report systematically analyzes international public opinion on the South China Sea issue in 2024, identifying key characteristics, patterns of dissemination, and the attitudes of different countries. It provides data support and strategy recommendations for improving China’s external communication on South China Sea policy.
6. Independent Research: Understanding of and Reflections on International Peace Mediation
Author: Mao Jing, Director of the European Research Center, Grandview Institution
Summary: In recent years, global conflicts have become more frequent and instability has intensified. In response, the Grandview Institution has carried out frequent and in-depth dialogues with international peace mediation organizations. This report reviews the concepts, actors, methods, and historical evolution of international peace mediation, presents classic cases of international organizations in peace mediation, and summarizes key success factors.
7. Independent Research: Typical Case of Peace Mediation—CMI’s Work in Promoting Palestinian Internal Dialogue and Unity
Author: Mao Jing, Director of the European Research Center, Grandview Institution
Summary: Since 2010, the Crisis Management Initiative (CMI) has promoted informal dialogues among Palestinian stakeholders, improved proposals for reforming national movements, supported key institutional development, and facilitated participatory frameworks for future national movements. This process has, to some extent, supported major official mediators, chiefly Egypt and relevant Palestinian parties, in advancing formal Palestinian reconciliation, and has encouraged broad discussions on national unity among Palestinian people, including key civil society factions, youth, and female leaders.
8. Joint Research: Competition and Risk Management—Divergent Positions of China and the US on the South China Sea Issue
Author:
Liu Xiaobo, Director of the Maritime Research Center, Grandview Institution
Yi Wushuang, Research Fellow of the Maritime Research Center, Grandview Institution
Jeffrey Ordaniel, Assistant Professor of International Security Studies of Tokyo International University
Thomas J. Shattuck, Senior Program Manager of Perry World House of the University of Pennsylvania
Summary: This report provides a comprehensive overview of the divergent positions, policy rationales and competition dynamics between China and the United States concerning the South China Sea issue. Through parallel presentation and objective comparison, it clarifies their disparities in strategic considerations, legal interpretations and policy priorities, identifies potential areas for consensus, and puts forward viable paths to mitigate risks and manage competition. Adopting a comparative research approach that balances objectivity and in-depth analysis, the study reveals a complex multi-layered competition landscape spanning diplomatic, legal, military and ideological dimensions, while confirming that such competition does not inevitably lead to confrontation.
9. Current Affairs Research: Analysis of the U.S. Navy Shipbuilding Plan for 2025
Author: Liu Xiaobo, Director of the Maritime Research Center, Grandview Institution
Author: Ma Xiaoye, Member of the Academic Committee of Grandview Institution
Author: Mao Jing, Director of the European Research Center of Grandview Institution
Author: Zhang Yi, Senior Research Fellow of Grandview Institution
Author: Quan Xiaoxing, Young Research Fellow of Grandview Institution; Special Foreign Affairs Advisor to the President of Korea University
Author: Zhang Yi, Senior Research Fellow of Grandview Institution
Author: Ma Xiaoye, Member of the Academic Committee of Grandview Institution
Author: Zhang Yi, Research Fellow of the U.S. Research Center, Grandview Institution
Author: Yi Wushuang, Researcher Fellow of the Maritime Research Center, Grandview Institution
Author: Yi Wushuang, Research Fellow of the Maritime Research Center, Grandview Institution
From April 24 to 25 and December 16 to 17, the Grandview Institution jointly hosted the 2nd and 3rd China-U.S. Strategic Security and Stability Dialogues in partnership with Inter Mediate from the UK. In-depth exchanges were conducted covering a full spectrum of topics, including history and status quo of China-U.S. relations, repercussions of regional hotspot conflicts across the world on bilateral ties, conventional nuclear safety and nuclear issues, implications of high-tech advancements for nuclear safety, as well as crisis prevention and crisis management. Following the events, GVI accompanied the U.S. delegation to visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, where they held in-depth talks with leading officials of competent authorities.
Key Participants:
Stephen Biegun, Former Deputy Secretary of State of the United States
Mike Mullen, Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States; Retired Admiral of the U.S. Navy
Rose Gottemoeller, Former Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security of the United States; Former Deputy Secretary General of NATO
James O. Ellis, Jr., Former Commander of the United States Strategic Command; Retired Admiral of the U.S. Navy
Cui Tiankai, Former Ambassador of China to the United States
Le Yucheng, Former Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China
Fu Ying, Former Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China
Chen Xiaogong, Former Deputy Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission; Retired Lieutenant General
Yao Yunzhu, Former Director of the Center for China-U.S. Defense Relations of the Academy of Military Sciences; Retired Major General
Zhang Tuosheng, Chief Research Fellow of Grandview Institution
Shen Dingli, Director of the Center for American Studies of Grandview Institution; Professor Emeritus of Fudan University
Luo Chunjian, Deputy Director of the Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs of the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs
Jia Qingguo, Former Dean of the School of International Studies of Peking University
Sun Xiangli, Deputy Director of the Strategic Studies Center of China Academy of Engineering Physics
Zhou Bo, Former Director of the Security Cooperation Center of the Office for International Military Cooperation of the Ministry of National Defense; Retired Senior Colonel
Claire Hajaj, Chief Executive Officer of Inter Mediate (United Kingdom)
Natasha Groom, Senior Program Officer of Inter Mediate (United Kingdom)
Ren Libo, President of Grandview Institution
Zhou Jiancheng, President of Pacific Forum
Huang Dizhong, Vice Chairman of Pacific Forum
1.2 The First International Peace Mediation Forum
From June 5 to 8, the Grandview Institution co-organized the First International Peace Mediation Forum and International Mediation Training Conference themed International Experience and China’s Role together with Finland’s Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation (CMI). The event is designed to showcase China’s role and contributions in international peace mediation to the international community, while enabling Chinese participants to learn about the approaches and experience of established European peace mediation organizations represented by CMI. Spanning four days, the event consists of three parts: plenary session, parallel sub-forums and a training program. More than 120 participants attended the forum, including former political leaders, foreign diplomats in China, representatives of major European crisis mediation bodies, experts from think tanks and universities across over 30 countries worldwide, as well as students and practitioners from all walks of life. In addition, nearly 40 professionals from various sectors signed up for the special training program on international peace mediation held from June 6 to 8.
Key Participants:
Le Yucheng, Former Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China
Yue Xiaoyong, Special Envoy for Afghan Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China
Mikko Kinnunen, Ambassador of Finland to China
Vebjørn Dysvik, Ambassador of Norway to China
Yang Xiyu, Former Director of the Office for Korean Peninsula Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China
Zhai Dongsheng, Dean of the Institute of Area Studies of Renmin University of China
Janel Galvanek, Director of the Regional Support Department of Berghof Foundation (Germany)
Moon Chung-in, Former Special Advisor for Security to the President of the Republic of Korea
Kent Härstedt, Former Special Envoy for Korean Peninsula Affairs of Sweden
Oskari Eronen, Chief Program Officer of Crisis Management Initiative (CMI)
Sergio Grassi, Representative of the Beijing Office of Friedrich Ebert Foundation (Germany)
Arianna Gazzé, Director of East Asia Program of Inter Mediate (United Kingdom)
Vlad Corbu, Deputy Director of Dialogue Advisory Group (Netherlands)
Ren Libo, President of Grandview Institution
Mao Jing, Director of the European Research Center of Grandview Institution
Ouyang Wei, Deputy Director of the Academic Committee of Grandview Institution
Wu Hao, Director of the Defense Research Center of Grandview Institution
Li Nan, Deputy Director of the Northeast Asia Research Center of Grandview Institution; Research Fellow of the Institute of American Studies of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
Xie Tao, Dean of the School of International Relations of Beijing Foreign Studies University
Chen Qi, Director of the Center for China–U.S. Relations of Tsinghua University
1.3 The 5th and 6th China-South Korea Policy Symposiums
On June 14 and November 26, the Grandview Institution and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in China co-hosted the 5th and 6th China-South <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"