I. Introduction to the Issue

The discussion centers on the stability deficit facing the liberal world order. The trade wars initiated by the Trump administration have threatened the stability of the international order, with the U.S. shifting from a guardian to a disruptor. The liberal world order established by the U.S. after World War II was once hailed as the "end of history" following the Cold War, but it has now accumulated significant issues requiring reform. President Xi Jinping pointed out that the world faces unprecedented challenges, including deficits in peace, development, security, and governance. The root of the stability problem in the liberal world order lies in its "U.S.-centric" nature and overconfidence in Western-style democratic institutions. Power balance and nuclear deterrence are the true foundations of order stability. The following sections will analyze the theoretical basis, root causes of deficits, and governance solutions for the stability of the liberal world order.

II. Theoretical Foundations of the Liberal World Order's Stability

Since the establishment of the Westphalian system in 1648, dominant states have sought to maintain peace through international institutions to alleviate other nations' fears of great-power domination and encourage their participation in the order. Key theoretical elements of the liberal world order's stability include the "Kantian triangle" composed of Western-style democratic states, international institutional systems, and interdependent trade systems. International institutions enhance transparency and trust in interstate cooperation, mitigating the security dilemma. Economic globalization and complex interdependence reduce the likelihood of interstate conflict while increasing the benefits and efficiency of international cooperation. Liberals argue that once established, the world order exhibits institutional stickiness, shaping actors' path dependence—making it resistant to change unless completely dismantled. Realist scholars emphasize the distribution of power among major states and the number of dominant powers, viewing hegemonic war as the fundamental historical mechanism for shifts in hegemony.

III. Manifestations and Root Causes of the Stability Deficit in Today's Liberal World Order

The discussion addresses the manifestations and root causes of the stability deficit in the liberal world order. The deficit is reflected in the rising frequency and intensity of crises in international relations, increased uncertainty, large-scale protracted violent conflicts in core geopolitical regions, heightened competition and confrontation among major powers, and the dysfunction of international economic and trade institutions. The "atavistic" nature of U.S. policies—marked by the rise of populist nativism and conservative nationalism—has shaken the foundations of the liberal world order. Anti-globalization sentiments in Western countries have escalated into political trends, exemplified by Brexit and the rise of far-right populist parties. Trump's presidency signaled a major shift in U.S. foreign policy, rejecting liberal internationalist ideals and viewing international organizations and institutions as undermining U.S. interests.

The root causes of the stability deficit lie in the overestimation of the superiority of Western-style democracy, the binding force of international institutions, and the effectiveness of unilateral democracy promotion. The sustainability of Western democracy has weakened due to political polarization, with citizens struggling to effectively oversee decision-makers, while the military-industrial complex exerts significant influence over the militarization of foreign policy. International institutions struggle to constrain the actions of superpowers like the U.S., as seen in NATO's military interventions and U.S. trade protectionist policies. Post-Cold War U.S. democracy promotion has had destructive consequences for targeted nations and global peace, including state fragility, power vacuums, social unrest from regime changes, and the undermining of local political cultures during post-war reconstruction.

IV. Addressing the Stability Deficit: China's Wisdom Guides New Explorations

In *On World Order*, Kissinger argued that the cohesion of international order is challenged by two trends: the redefinition of legitimacy and major shifts in the balance of power. The current world order faces growing stability deficits in both legitimacy and power balance, raising concerns about its future. Addressing the stability deficit requires abandoning the myth of democracy promotion, returning to the realist logic of power balance, advancing balanced and inclusive international development, and building sustainable international order stability. Power balance is the foundation of international institutions; the superiority of superpowers inherently threatens other nations, and restraining the U.S. to pursue responsible foreign policies sustainably requires external power balancing. Nuclear deterrence is key to power balance among major powers, with mutually assured destruction offsetting disparities in economic and conventional military strength to maintain overall peace. China actively practices major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, promoting a community with a shared future for mankind and advancing the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Through openness and inclusiveness, China implements global security, development, and civilization initiatives, collaborating with constructive forces in the international community to reform global governance via extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits. China strives to steer the international order back to stability, pioneering new approaches and visions for addressing the stability deficit. Chinese diplomacy brings much-needed stability to a turbulent world, anchoring uncertainty with China's certainty. An increasing number of countries are joining the effort to build a shared future, supporting the "three global initiatives" and the BRI. By fostering win-win cooperation and shared prosperity, leveraging the UN-centered institutional framework, setting new international security agendas, creating development platforms, and establishing mechanisms for mutual prosperity, China offers new hope for constructive reform and development of the international order.

V. Conclusion

The discussion highlights the stability issues of the liberal world order, acknowledging the positive role of international institutions and trade systems while pointing to flaws such as U.S. identity tensions and the limitations of democratic models. It underscores the importance of power balance among major powers under nuclear deterrence for world order stability. China's vision of a community with a shared future for mankind and the BRI provide new ideas and hope for enhancing the stability of the world order.