Rumi Aoyama is a Professor at Waseda University's Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies, specializing in diplomatic history, international relations, and contemporary Chinese politics and foreign relations. With a PhD from Keio University, she has established herself as a leading scholar on China's foreign policy, East Asian regional dynamics, and China-Japan relations. Professional Memberships: Japan Association for Contemporary China Studies, Asian Politics and Economics Association, Japan Association of International Relations Research Focus: Diplomatic history, international relations, East Asia, modern Chinese politics and foreign relations Dr. Aoyama's research interests span diplomatic history, international relations, East Asia studies, Chinese politics, and Chinese foreign relations. Her work particularly focuses on China's diplomatic strategies, mediation diplomacy, and the evolving regional order in Asia. She has published extensively on topics ranging from China's "Belt and Road" initiative to its approach to the Global South and its relations with Japan. Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on contemporary challenges in international relations, particularly examining China's role in mediating global conflicts, its strategic positioning amid US-China confrontation, and its evolving approach to regional order in Eurasia. Her work demonstrates how China is developing a distinctive diplomatic approach that blends traditional non-interference principles with proactive engagement in global affairs. 24th Ohira Masayoshi Memorial Award (2008) Dr. Aoyama has been actively involved in international academic exchanges, including research stays at National University of Singapore (2022-2023), George Washington University (2016-2017), and Stanford University (2005-2006). She also serves as Director of the Waseda Institute of Contemporary Chinese Studies and is affiliated with the Faculty of Education and Integrated Arts and Sciences School of Education. Her editorial leadership includes serving as Co-editor of Cambridge Elements in Indo-Pacific Security and previously as Managing Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Contemporary East Asia.













