Storyline: A major academic gathering dedicated to Chinese foreign policy and global geopolitical change was held in the Serbian capital Belgrade from Wednesday to Thursday, gathering more than 130 researchers from 34 countries to discuss upholding multilateralism in an increasingly fragmented world. The Fifth International Conference "Dialogues on China 2025" forum was co-organized by the Institute of International Politics and Economics (IIPE) in Belgrade and the China Institute of International Studies (CIIS) in Beijing. Themed "Recalibrating the Global Compass: China and a Shared Future in a Fragmented World," discussions focused on China's role in global politics, multilateral cooperation, and economic relations. The scholars also shared their insights on a wide range of issues, including politics, the economy, international relations, energy, climate change, the Global South, and science and technology. Many guests said they are concerned about the increasingly fragmented global situation. "The first problem is that the Global South countries, particularly the developing countries and the emerging markets, are underrepresented. The second problem is that the purposes and principles of the United Nations are not effectively upheld, and its authority is undermined. The third and most prominent problem, in my opinion, is the ineffectiveness of the international rule of law," said Zhang Weipeng, deputy director at Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy Studies Center. Some scholars praised China for putting forward the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), which includes five principles of upholding sovereign equality, practicing international rule of law, maintaining multilateralism, promoting people-centered development, and achieving tangible results. Branislav Dordevic, director at the Institute of International Politics and Economics, said the five principles offer guidance on building an ideal society at a moment when conflicts are multiplying in today's world. "About these five principles found in this initiative – the whole world should think positively at a time when everyone is thinking about war, when everyone is thinking about weapons. Instead of thinking about peace and development, the world is on the verge of collapse. They should look at these principles, and then we would have this, maybe an ideal society," he said. Shotlist: Belgrade, Serbia - Oct 15, 2025: 1. Various of representative speaking, attendees 2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Zhang Weipeng, deputy director, Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy Studies Center: "The first problem is that the Global South countries, particularly the developing countries and the emerging markets, are underrepresented. The second problem is that the purposes and principles of the United Nations are not effectively upheld, and its authority is undermined. The third and most prominent problem, in my opinion, is the ineffectiveness of the international rule of law." 3. Representative speaking 4. SOUNDBITE (Serbian) Branislav Dordevic, director, Institute of International Politics and Economics: "About these five principles found in this initiative, the whole world should think positively at a time when everyone is thinking about war, when everyone is thinking about weapons. Instead of thinking about peace and development, the world is on the verge of collapse. They should look at these principles, and then we would have this, maybe an ideal society." FILE: Belgrade, Serbia - April 10, 2025: 5. Various of cityscape, river, vessel. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]