中國經濟崛起十幾年來，在國際關係領域中，許多中國學者大力倡導以儒家價值觀為基礎的新理論；中國與台灣兩地的學者也紛紛提出了各種關於世界政治關係理論與關係平衡理論的看法。這兩大理論用以理解中國對各種多邊組織的行為，其中有許多組織乃是由北京當局所領導創設。
在本研究中，透過檢視上海合作組織、東南亞國家協會、金磚國家組織、「一帶一路」倡議和中國-中東歐國家合作（16+1）的案例，分析中國對多邊主義的看法與實際作法。與此同時，本研究也進一步探討了中國政府歷來不斷演變的雙邊主義與多邊主義，並透過研究中國政府的相關論述，分析中國決策者的政策論述是否也反映其關係性思維。
本研究發現，北京當局對不同國際組織的政策，可應用根植於儒家關係的國際關係理論來解釋；而北京決策者的不同論述，反映了中國政府當代的關係性思維。有助於研究者分析觀察中國對外的國際關係發展。

Since the economic, military and political rise of China began in the last few decades, Chinese scholars have been advocating for a new international relations theory based on Confucian values. These efforts have culminated in the creation of various theories by Chinese and Taiwanese scholars, namely the Relational Theory of World Politics and the Balance of Relationships theory. In this study, these two theories are utilized to examine China’s behavior towards various multilateral organizations, many of which are led by Beijing.
The study analyzes China’s perception of multilateralism by examining the cases of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, BRICS, and the Belt & Road Initiative and the Cooperation Between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (16+1). Additionally, it explores how China’s evolving discourse on bilateralism, multilateralism, and multipolarity reflects the relational thinking of Chinese policymakers.
The results indicate that Beijing’s policies towards these international organizations can be explained by applying IR theories rooted in Confucian relationality. The narrative of Beijing policymakers also reflects their relational mindset.