This interview is conducted under the special rubric “Meet Global Partners” of the Eurasian Continent Research Association. Ms. Paeton Romero, intern at the CECPSR, Armenia, and student at Stonehill College, Class of 2029, interviews our distinguished member, Associate Professor Dr. Matthieu Grandpierron, who is the Head of the Political Science Department, at ICES Vendée Catholic University in France. He is also Adjunct Professor at the Shanghai University of Political Science and Law; Research Fellow at the Haiyi Institute, Beijing; and Research Fellow at Guiguzi Stratagem Learning in Hong Kong.

1. What drove you to focus your research on China and the Eurasian continent?

I am passionate about ancient civilizations and how they interact and co-develop, mutually learning techniques and sharing philosophies. The connection between Chinese experiences and civilization with European civilisations (whether the Greek, Roman, Byzantine or 19th century Nation-states) fascinated me. I spent time in China in high school, and since I embraced an academic career, I have researched Eurasian (particularly BRICS+ countries) views of the world and approaches to political phenomena. I also have a familial tie with Eurasia as my wife is Chinese, so that personal connection made me see China from a different angle. 

2. As an active Academic Board member of the Eurasian Research on Modern China and Eurasia Conference, what is your experience in this conference, and why should others join? What makes this conference unique among so many international conferences around the world?

The Eurasian Research on Modern China and The Eurasia Conference is a must attend conference! It is of a very high level, academics and practitioners joining come from all over the world, and more importantly they come from Eurasia! It is the only conference where one can meet and exchange with Chinese, Russian, Indian, Iranian, European, etc. scholars and that makes a big difference, especially compared to more mainstream conferences that only attract Western scholars. The Eurasian Research on Modern China and Eurasia Conference is the place to be for anyone who wants to discuss and exchange ideas about Eurasia with Eurasian scholars. 

Dr. Matthieu Grandpierron chairing the panel “China and Maritime Routes” at the V Eurasian Research on Modern China and Eurasia Conference. From left to right: Dr. Jinrui Liu, Dr. Matthieu Grandpierron (center), and Dr. Paulo Afonso B. Duarte.

3. Why did you decide to join the Eurasian Continent Research Association? What is your advice to other scholars? What can they find in this association?

I am currently working on an important research project that aims to investigate how BRICS+ countries are understanding the international order and what ideas they put forward to reform it and make it truly multipolar. I found it natural to join the Eurasian Continent Research Association as it is a place to conduct that research and debate with peers about it. I also find it very important given the context we live in: people are more and more connected to each other through the internet and social media, and yet, they understand each other less and less. The Eurasian Continent Research Association is therefore a fantastic opportunity for people to meet and work together to bridge the gap between civilizations and cultures. 

4. How does your chapter “Unpacking Chinese Communication about the BRI” from the Routledge Handbook of China’s Belt and Road Initiative in Eurasia argue that the BRI reflects a distinct Chinese vision of global power, rather than a traditional Western realist power strategy?

Thank you for asking me about that chapter I co-authored with a colleague and friend, Eric Pomès,  from ICES. The Belt and Road Initiative is mostly analysed from a strategic and realist point of view in mainstream and Western media and academic circles. While the BRI has strategic components, concentrating only on realism to analyse it is a mistake and creates shortcomings. Indeed, realism is a contextualised theoretical approach, with concepts rooted in specific European events and myths (such as Westphalia). Applying a specifically European centred approach to an initiative that is not Western is problematic as it misunderstands the roots, reasons and motivations. Therefore, in our chapter we wanted to analyse the BRI on its own terms: basing our analysis on Chinese political philosophy, historical experience, International Relations concepts and scholars, and official communication. 

5. My next question is regarding your chapter Unpacking the Discursive Strategies and Drivers of Chinese Visions of an Alternative World Order History and Emotions in the South China Sea Dispute from Routledge Handbook of Chinese and Eurasian International Relations. What does the narrative cue in Chinese officials’ language regarding the South China Sea reveal about their view of the international order?

Thank you very much for asking that question. In this book chapter we wanted to analyze competing visions and understandings about the liberal international order. In Western media, China is always described as a disruptive actor in the South China Sea, but this view is partial. It neglects to look at the situation from China’s perspective. One can very well argue that the disruptive factors were Western powers when they imposed their understanding of politics and international law during the period of the Unequal Treaties and built the existing international order on their understandings and interests. In our chapter, we show how China understands Western-based international law and we explain how history matters to understand and define what is legal and legitimate. As a result, neglecting regional history is one of the reasons why the Western-based international order is more and more contested, as it is growingly understood as illegitimate, precisely because its basis has been imposed by force at a particular and traumatic moment of history.

Dr. Matthieu Grandpierron delivering a speech during the book launch event dedicated to the Routledge Handbook of China’s Belt and Road Initiative in Eurasia.

Dr. Matthieu Grandpierron delivering a speech during the V Eurasian Research on Modern China and Eurasia Conference.

Dr. Matthieu Grandpierron with colleagues during the IV Eurasian Research on Modern China and Eurasia Conference.

Interview conducted by Paeton Romero, intern at the CECPSR, Armenia, and student at Stonehill College, Class of 2029.

For more information about the Eurasian Continent Research Association, please visit the Association’s official page

Eurasian Continent Research Association