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LSE: The Ballpark | China’s Three Personality Problem with Professor Todd Hall

Understanding China’s role in the world has never been more important — or more complex. China projects itself variously as a moral global actor, a fiercely defensive power guarding its core interests, and a pragmatic, opportunistic player.
Understanding China’s role in the world has never been more important — or more complex. China projects itself variously as a moral global actor, a fiercely defensive power guarding its core interests, and a pragmatic, opportunistic player.
Monday 2 March 2026 | 39 minutes 39 seconds
Listen on SoundCloudDownload File | 54.47MB

Understanding China’s role in the world has never been more important — or more complex. China projects itself variously as a moral global actor, a fiercely defensive power guarding its core interests, and a pragmatic, opportunistic player driven by economic incentives. At the same time, policymakers in the West interpret China through competing stories — from historical cycles and ideological clashes to narratives centred on national interests and the personalities of individual leaders. These overlapping perspectives shape how the US and its partners respond to China, and how stable — or unstable — the future might be.

To discuss these issues, in November 2025 the Phelan US Centre spoke to Todd Hall, Professor of International Relations at the University of Oxford and Director of the University of Oxford’s China Centre. In the interview, they explored China’s "three personalities," the politics of emotion in international relations, and the narratives that shape US–China competition. They talk about economic interdependence, climate cooperation, and how shifting perceptions influence policymaking on both sides.

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