The Study of Chinas International Behavior - Research Paper Example

The Study of China's International Behavior This research paper considers China’s foreign policy before and after Cold War. It gives a brief overview of possible tactics of foreign policy of China. Paper outline is the following: A) Introduction B) General discussion: 1) Policy of earlier years; 2) Foreign policy of China; 3) Defensive issues of China; 4) International criticism of China’s foreign policy; 5) Globalization issue; 6) China-US relations: military issues. C) Conclusion. On the basis of literature review of the current sources this research paper doesn’t only discusses foreign policy of China, but also suggests alternative strategies beneficial for China on the international level. The main goal of the paper is to discard historical stereotype of China-as hegemonic ruler and prove that this country has always been struggled for justice, its national interests and friendly relations with other countries. Introduction International behavior of China is the issue of great importance for the modern society. China is focused on occupation of leading position in the world due to quick development of nation’s international status and prestige. Diplomatic strategies of China should be mentioned as relevant and well-balanced. Thus on the one hand China’s desire to become an international leader is a justified one; in case it obtains international leading position, other countries will benefit from economic perspectives and successful cooperation with China on different levels. On the other hand, China’s international behavior and steady growth of desire to become an international leader is an intimidating feature of hegemonic power. Policy of earlier years If to give a brief overview of China’s policy of previous years, it is possible to see that foreign policy of this country was mainly focused on three main issues: sovereignty, economic growth and international significance. Starting from 50s foreign policy of China has been developed and complemented by its leaders. Mao made an emphasis on country’s sovereignty and territorial protection (Gittings 2005). Reforms in China in 80s brought in some changes into China’s foreign policy. National economic development starting from the beginning of 80s became a major consideration for China Foreign policy of China was aptly summarized by Jiang Zemin who said: “China will, as always, adhere to an independent foreign policy of peace”. China’s diplomatic work has been transformed for years. The main ideologist of foreign policy of China Deng Xiaoping perfected and developed foreign policy of China. A basic goal of China’s foreign policy is in safeguarding nation’s peace and independence. A modern shift of accents of international policy is from hegemonic power to world peace protection. Moreover, China is greatly concerned about friendly relations with other countries (Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence); discard of arms race and propagation of the disarmament process; improvement of social sphere of international contacts with other countries (Lieberthal 2004). In its early years, independent China struggled against hegemonic power of the USA and the Soviet Union. During the Vietnam War the Soviet Union became a serious threat for China security. Zedong initiated policy against hegemonic power of the Soviet Union since 70s till 80s. China’s foreign policy is a weird historic phenomenon: once being a fighter against hegemonic power (USA, the Soviet Union), China turned into hegemonic ruler itself. This metamorphosis was initially initiated by Deng Xiaoping who offered socialism with China’s features. Thus country was more concerned about the basic interests of the Chinese people and from that moment China could independently make decisions on its nations. In such a way it is possible to claim that during the reign of Deng, China was striving more for peace and human affairs development. China’s status as the country of the third world underlines country’s policy directed on the support of the countries of the third world. Deng strictly criticized implacable hegemonic policies of US and the Soviet Union and supported friendly state-to-state relations. Thus Deng’s policy of China was focused on country’s independence and sovereignty as primary concerns. Deng's ideas influenced successful development of socialism with Chinese characteristics and influenced further foreign policy development in a creative manner supported by Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai later on. During the last twenty years China’s foreign policy has been successfully established in compliance with drastic changes of the international policies of other countries. Disintegration of the Soviet Union and sanctions imposed on China by some Western countries were patiently withstood by China (Rosemary 260). Sovereignty and national dignity were safeguarded. China became more concerned about peaceful reunification of the motherland; developing countries have been supported by China. Moreover, China has positioned itself as a reliable international partner and successful reformer and modernizer. The role of technological achievements of China can’t be questioned as well. World peace and stability is also influenced by China’s foreign policy. Further on, Zemin has continued peaceful foreign policy conducted by the government of China and thus international affairs were handled correctly. A peaceful environment in the country with an emphasis on modernization and technological development is a valuable contribution into the world’s economy. Foreign policy of China From a historic perspective, China’s international behavior is formed under the influence of 3 “lenses” of perception: external Environment of China, China’s role in international affairs and policy actions taken by China. China’s is currently perceived as a ‘revitalized’ country with ‘renewed’ international power. The point is that during the earlier years of Han, Tang and some other dynasties China’s influence and role was great in the world in spite of the fact that China’s contacts with other ancient countries were limited. Currently China’s foreign policy is often described as a policy of ‘a major country becoming stronger’ (Gittingss 2005). China follows the line of its earlier periods when it was on the stage of the great technological development, cultural rise and its contribution to the global economy was sufficient. Therefore some policymakers claim that China has never been a hegemonic ruler; this country has never been driven by force and coercion. China’s power has always been benevolent and great. China had four main pillars of foreign respect: high level of morality; rich culture; economic wealth and technological advancement (Keylor 2003). Currently China is striving for broadening its international influence and is concerned about involvement in international affairs causing either direct or indirect influence on China’s internal and external affairs. Nevertheless international society reminds China of its earlier years of hegemonic power (Keylor 179). China justifies its hidden hegemonic motives by the fact that it has numerous population and rich history, large economy and has membership of the National Security Council and it has nuclear weapon. In accordance with expression of Chinese scholar: “…China’s decline is a historical mistake that should be corrected . . . the Chinese consider the rise of China a restoration of fairness rather than gaining advantages over others” (Cha 120). Defensive issues of China Defensive issues of China are formed under the influence of centennial fear of foreign powers. Westernization of China, China during the Cold War and influence of the Soviet Union and the United States are the core reasons for China’s desire to play more important role on the international arena (Ming 335). China’s defensive policy is focused on China’s periphery security and territorial integrity protection. China’s concerns about usage of arms or nuclear power are focused around avoidance of being blackmailed by a nuclear-armed adversary (Cha 124). Security issues are focused on China’s foreign policy. International society shows a negative attitude to China’s actions directed on its country defense. China’s concerns about nuclear power are considered by other countries as intimidating ones. International criticism of China’s foreign policy In spite of the criticism of China’s nuclear power concerns, international society should have established positive and friendly relations with China because of the following reasons: Economic growth of China; Constant partaking in China’s UN meetings of China and its UN membership; Numerous population of China. America, as another influential player on the international arena has a proper consideration of the above-mentioned points and is focused on friendly relations with China. A successful cooperation of America and China is propagated by the American Government on different levels. A reliable basis for cooperation of these countries is supported by permanent business contacts and meetings on the international level. A strong desire of China to become the world leader is perceived by America as a hostile one. China intensifies its international influence by support of other East-Asian countries. Nevertheless the main prevalence of America over China is its well-established reputation on the international level. China is still one of the preferential East-Asian regions, while America is a well-known and reliable international partner for many countries (Ledeen 19). Therefore China should prove its international significance and act in accordance with “moral imagination” suggested by Lederach (2005). Relations with other countries should be built ‘in a web’. International relations with hostile rivals such as America, for example, should be considered by China through a prism of ‘friendly’ relations and support, but in reality China should take care about its profits and national prosperity. In the sphere of technological development China is in the niche of high-speed technological advance. A lot of foreign countries have a strong desire to make investments into foreign policy of China. Thus China is in the main focus for international society. Innovations and technological novelties capture international attention of the world and China should conduct its foreign policy in compliance with needs of foreign countries, but at the same time it should remember about its profits. Therefore China is greatly concerned about perspectives of further technological investments, which demand a lot of costs and human resources, but the result will justify all the efforts. Globalization issue Another striking issue of China’s foreign policy is ‘soft power’ of the country. China from time to time reveals its hidden motifs to become the world leading country and thus some contradictions appear on the level of China’s relations with America. China explains their aspirations of becoming the world leader by a strong desire of globalization avoidance (Mcnally 57). Of course, China’s intentions are historically grounded by emerging contradictions with other hegemonic countries’ powers. Independence and autonomy of every country is the highest value. Therefore there is no wonder that China’s foreign policy is often considered to be hegemonic, but in reality is defensive and directed on national interests (Feffer 5). Moreover, China has a strong background to position itself as the world’s leader: it has a strong economic potential, numerous human resources and technological basis. Under conditions of modern globalizing tendencies, China attempts to secure its international positions. Thus it is relevant to China to treat its counterparts not as enemies, but as reliable partners (Ledeen 18). A process of democratization in China is another preventive measure for not being globalized. Autocratic regime of the earlier years in China has left a negative impact on international attitude to China. It may be supposed, that powerful potential of China should have been even greater if in-time process of democratization had occurred in this country (Young 84). Modern foreign policy of China is focused on democratic principles’ acceptance and discard of hegemonic ruling norms. In such a way, China is focused on perfection of active partaking in technological developments in other countries and provides other countries with monetary and social support. China-US relations: military issues Unfortunately ‘friendly’ intentions of China are often misinterpreted by its counterparts. Thus America’s location of its military bases in East Asia is an arguable issue for China (Boyer 16). The most complicated relations are between China and America. America’s nonaggression on China is an issue of close attention for the modern international society. Bases’ location in East Asian region are considered as useless by international society, but America claims that this tactics underlines prestige of East-Asian region. America’s foreign policy and foreign policy of China may reveal many confrontations between these two countries. For example, different points of view on democratization in the developing countries or nuclear power issues may lead to political divergences between these two countries (Boyer 16). International interventions should be avoided for sure between China and America. Thus only dialogue between these two countries is an appropriate way out to find a mutual understanding. China criticizes America’s pressure on East Asian region and North Korea in particular (Cha 118). Furthermore China prevents America from pressure on Taiwan. Military concerns of China and America is another contradictive issue between these two countries. Nuclear concerns of China are also perceived by international community as challenging ones. Consequently countries of the international society should take care about Chinese internal and external considerations and actions. Conclusion As far as we can see, foreign policy of China is focused on protection of its national interests. China-as hegemonic ruler is not of current interest. Nowadays the accent is shifted to China-as democratic world leader. China is striving for world’s leadership for the favor of its national interests. A modern political international context requires compromising and anti-globalizing. Moreover, China’s concerns about nuclear weapon should be transformed in accordance with demands of the international society otherwise a conflict may occur. Foreign policy of China should be a policy of a wise powerful world’s leader protecting its interests and supporting its international partners. Therefore it is relevant to China to turn its attention to foreign policy tactics’ development and work out appropriate international strategy of behavior full of respect and dignity. Outline The research paper is focused on consideration of China’s foreign policy during and after Cold War. Previous years of China’s policy are considered in order to consider background of modern foreign policy of China. China’s foreign policy has three main points: sovereignty, integrative territories and protection of national interests. China’s foreign policy of peace is often questioned by the international society. Such kind of dubious attitude of the world’s countries to China can be explained by earlier years of hegemonic power in China. Fortunately, nowadays China has turned its attention to democratization though its focusing on their national interests is still perceived as revelation of hegemonic nature. Therefore China is greatly concerned about international society and its attitude towards China. China propagates discard of arms and social contacts with other countries. China justifies its hegemonic power of the previous years as a necessary preventive measure for sovereignty preservation. A scrutinized consideration of China’s foreign policy is given from three main ‘lenses’: external environment of China, its role in international affairs and policy actions taken by China. It is often claimed that currently China is focused on its international influence expansion. Nevertheless nuclear power issues of China are challenging and contradictive. Thus on the one hand China takes care about its sovereignty and safety, but on the other hand it intimidates world’s society. Currently China is striving for broadening its international influence and is concerned about involvement in international affairs causing either direct or indirect influence on China’s internal and external affairs. Nevertheless international society reminds China of its earlier years of hegemonic power. Consequently, China’s foreign policy should be worked out in accordance with current international demands thus nuclear issues should be transformed as well. Works cited 1. Boyer, A. L. “U.S. Foreign Policy in Central Asia: Risk, Ends, and Means.” Naval War College Review 59 (2006): 16-32. 2. Cha, V. D. “Anti-Americanism and the US role in inter-Korean Relations.” Pp.: 117-138. 3. Feffer, J. “People Power vs. Military Power in East Asia.” Foreign Policy in Focus (2007): 1+. 4. Gittings, J. (2005). The changing face of China: from Mao to market. NY: Oxford University Press. 5. Keylor ,William R. (2003). A world of Nations: The international Order Since 1945. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 177-185. 6. Ledeen, M. “Blind World Leadership: U.S. Foreign Policy in a Nutcase.” The American Spectator 33 (2002): 17-24. 7. Lederach, J.P. The Moral Imagination: The Art and Soul of Building Peace. Oxford, MA: Oxford University Press, 2005. 8. Lieberthal, K. (2004). Governing China: From Revolution Through Reform, second revised edition. New York: W.W. Norton. 9. Mcnally, D. “Globalization on Trial: Crisis and Class Struggle in East Asia.” Monthly Review 50 (1998): 50-61. 10. Ming, L. “China’s Role in the course of North Korea’s transition.” Pp.: 335-350. 11. Rosemary, Foot. (1996). “The study of China's international behavior: International Relations Approaches.”Pp. 259-282. Explaining International Relations since 1945. Ed. by Ngaire Woods. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 12. Young John W., John Kent. (2004). International History since 1945: A Global History. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 83-88, 705-711 Read More