🇨🇳Contemporary Chinese Politics Unit 13 – China's Foreign Policy & Global Relations

Historical Context

• China's foreign policy shaped by its long history as a dominant power in East Asia and its experience with Western imperialism in the 19th and early 20th centuries
• The founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 marked a significant shift in China's foreign policy, as the country aligned itself with the Soviet Union and adopted a more assertive stance on the global stage
• During the Cold War, China's foreign policy was characterized by its opposition to both the United States and the Soviet Union, as well as its support for revolutionary movements in developing countries (Vietnam, Africa)
• The normalization of relations with the United States in the 1970s and the economic reforms of the 1980s led to a more pragmatic approach to foreign policy, focused on economic development and regional stability
• China's rapid economic growth and increasing global influence in the 21st century have led to a more assertive foreign policy, characterized by a desire to shape the international order and protect its growing interests abroad

Key Principles and Objectives

• The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence: mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence
• The "One China" principle: the belief that there is only one sovereign state under the name "China" and that Taiwan is a part of China
• The pursuit of a "peaceful rise" or "peaceful development": the idea that China's growth and increasing global influence should not be seen as a threat to other countries
• The protection of China's "core interests": issues such as sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the political system that are non-negotiable for the Chinese government
• The promotion of a "community with a shared future for mankind": a vision of a more just and equitable international order based on cooperation and mutual benefit
  • Emphasis on win-win cooperation and the idea that countries should work together to address global challenges
  • Rejection of the "zero-sum game" mentality and the pursuit of unilateral advantage at the expense of others

Major Players and Institutions

• The Communist Party of China (CPC): the ruling party that sets the overall direction of China's foreign policy
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs: responsible for implementing the country's foreign policy and managing its diplomatic relations
• The Central Foreign Affairs Commission: a high-level body that coordinates foreign policy decision-making across different government agencies and departments
• The People's Liberation Army (PLA): plays a significant role in shaping China's foreign policy, particularly in areas related to national security and territorial disputes
• State-owned enterprises and private companies: increasingly important actors in China's foreign policy, as they seek to expand their operations and investments abroad
• Think tanks and academic institutions: provide analysis and advice on foreign policy issues to the government and shape public opinion

Regional Relationships

• China's relations with its neighbors in East and Southeast Asia are shaped by a complex mix of historical, political, and economic factors
• The rise of China has led to increased tensions with some of its neighbors, particularly over territorial disputes in the East and South China Seas (Japan, Vietnam, Philippines)
• At the same time, China has sought to deepen economic ties with its neighbors through initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)
• China's relations with Japan and South Korea have been strained by historical grievances and security concerns, but there have also been efforts to improve ties in recent years
• China's relations with North Korea have been a key focus of its regional diplomacy, as it seeks to maintain stability on the Korean Peninsula and prevent the collapse of the North Korean regime
• China's relations with India have been marked by both cooperation and competition, with the two countries working together on issues such as climate change and global governance, while also engaging in border disputes and strategic rivalry

Global Partnerships and Rivalries

• China's relations with the United States have been a central focus of its foreign policy, with the two countries engaged in both cooperation and competition across a range of issues
  • Areas of cooperation include trade, investment, and global challenges such as climate change and public health
  • Areas of tension include human rights, Taiwan, and the South China Sea
• China has sought to build partnerships with other major powers, such as Russia and the European Union, to counterbalance U.S. influence and promote a more multipolar world order
• China has also sought to expand its influence in developing regions, such as Africa and Latin America, through trade, investment, and development assistance
• China's growing global influence has led to concerns among some countries about its intentions and the potential for it to challenge the existing international order
• At the same time, China has emphasized its commitment to multilateralism and the need for global cooperation to address common challenges

Economic Diplomacy

• Economic diplomacy plays a central role in China's foreign policy, as the country seeks to promote its economic interests and expand its global influence
• The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a key example of China's economic diplomacy, as it seeks to build infrastructure and connectivity across Asia, Europe, and Africa
• China has also sought to expand its trade and investment ties with other countries through bilateral and multilateral agreements, such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)
• China's economic diplomacy has been criticized by some countries for creating debt traps and undermining local industries, while others have welcomed the opportunities for growth and development
• China has responded to these concerns by emphasizing the need for sustainable and mutually beneficial economic cooperation

Military and Security Strategies

• China's military modernization and growing capabilities have been a key focus of its foreign policy in recent years
• The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has undergone significant reforms and modernization efforts to improve its ability to project power and defend China's interests abroad
• China has also sought to expand its military presence and influence through initiatives such as the establishment of a naval base in Djibouti and participation in UN peacekeeping operations
• China's military activities in the East and South China Seas, including the construction of artificial islands and the deployment of military assets, have raised concerns among its neighbors and the United States
• China has emphasized its commitment to peaceful resolution of disputes and the need for dialogue and cooperation on security issues

Current Challenges and Future Outlook

• China faces a range of challenges in its foreign policy, including tensions with the United States, territorial disputes with its neighbors, and concerns about its growing global influence
• The COVID-19 pandemic has also posed significant challenges for China's foreign policy, as it has sought to respond to the global health crisis and maintain economic growth and stability
• Looking to the future, China is likely to continue to pursue a more assertive foreign policy as it seeks to shape the international order and protect its growing interests abroad
• At the same time, China will need to navigate complex relationships with other major powers and address concerns about its intentions and the sustainability of its economic and military strategies
• The international community will also need to find ways to engage with China constructively and address common challenges, while also safeguarding their own interests and values
• Ultimately, the future of China's foreign policy will depend on a range of factors, including its domestic political and economic developments, the actions of other major powers, and the evolving global landscape.