On the afternoon of April 19, 2023, the 115th lecture of Think Tank  Construction Lecture Series of the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University was held at Hongkou Campus. Robert S. Ross, Professor at Boston College and Research Fellow at the F. C. Fitzgerald Center for Chinese Studies, Harvard University, was invited to deliver a lecture entitled China-US Competition and Cooperation in the Middle East. The lecture was hosted by Professor Ding Jun, Director of the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University. The lecture was attended by Mao Xiaohong, Deputy Director of the Foreign Cooperation and Exchange Office of Shanghai International Studies University, Yu Yong, Zhang Yuan, Zhao Jun, Bao Chengzhang, Han Jianwei, Shu Meng and other researchers of the Middle East Studies Institute, as well as more than 40 graduate students and international students.

In his lecture, Professor Robert S. Ross analyzed the competition between China and the U.S. in the Middle East and in many fields around the world, and reviewed the multiple impacts of China and the U.S. policies in the Middle East on the regional security situation in the light of the current international situation and the changes in the geopolitical landscape that have triggered the development of the diplomatic strategies of Middle Eastern countries.

After the lecture, Professor Robert S. Ross also had a lively interaction and exchange with the students and faculty on China-US relations and China-US diplomatic strategy in the Middle East.

Finally, Professor Ding Jun summarized the lecture and expressed his gratitude to Professor Robert S. Ross for his wonderful lecture and the active participation of all students and faculty.