ABSTRACT
The arrival of the Trump administration in the United States has sent shock-waves through the global system, triggering widespread rethinking of the current world order and its future direction. This happens at a time when China is starting to embrace a more proactive role in shaping the world order, based on its growing national strength and global influence. During the last seven decades, China has transformed itself from a ‘revolutionary order-challenger’ to a ‘reformist order-shaper’. In the post-Cold War hybrid world order, China has gradually developed its view regarding the positive components of the world order which should be maintained, the deficient aspects of the world order to be reformed, and a vision of shared future to be promoted. Facing the challenge of the Trump era, Chinese scholars are debating future scenarios for the world order and how China could position itself and contribute to a more resilient international system. Though worst-case scenarios are considered, cautious optimism is maintained.
