Peking University, April 14, 2025: On the morning of April 10, the forty-ninth session of the Adventus Amicorum seminar series was held at Peking University’s Yannan Garden, bringing together scholars, faculty members, and students from Peking University, along with experts from the renowned Australia-based Lowy Institute, for a meaningful exchange on regional power dynamics and Southeast Asian affairs.

Themed “Think Tank Models for Southeast Asian Studies from the Perspective of Area Studies,” the event was organized by the Institute of Area Studies at Peking University. It provided a valuable platform to discuss Asia’s evolving geopolitical landscape, the role of global and regional powers, and the methodologies adopted by policy-oriented institutions like the Lowy Institute.

At the heart of the discussion was the Asia Power Index, a flagship initiative by the Lowy Institute. The index measures the geopolitical influence of countries in the region using 130 indicators across eight dimensions, including economic capability, military strength, defense networks, diplomatic influence, and research and development capacity. Patton provided insights into the methodology, highlighting the roles of China, the United States, and emerging powers such as India and Japan.

The conversation also addressed current US-China relations, trade dynamics, regional partnerships, and Australia’s longstanding engagement in Southeast Asia. Participants discussed how these interconnected relationships shape the broader strategic environment and influence regional stability.
 

Emerging issues such as demographic trends in China, illicit financial activities in Southeast Asia, and the potential of intra-ASEAN trade and market integration were also brought to light. A lively Q&A session followed, during which students and faculty actively engaged with the speakers on topics ranging from think tank-academic collaborations to the analytical frameworks used in power distribution studies.

This meeting marked a significant step in fostering dialogue between academia and policy research institutions, reinforcing the importance of data-driven, interdisciplinary approaches in area studies. As China continues to play a key role in shaping Asia’s future, discussions like these contribute to mutual understanding, global cooperation, and informed policymaking.

By promoting knowledge-sharing and collaboration, such initiatives highlight the important role that universities and think tanks can play in addressing global challenges and supporting peaceful development in a multipolar world.
 

Lowy Institute researchers in attendance included Richard McGregor, Senior Fellow for East Asia; Susannah Patton, Director of the Southeast Asia Program; and Sam Roggeveen, Director of the International Security Program. The session was moderated by Dr. Kong Tao, Head of Research, Institute of Social Science Survey, and Senior Researcher at the Institute of Digital Finance, Peking University.

Written by: Pralhad Gupta
Edited by: Chen Shizhuo