China as Responsible Stakeholder in the International Politics - Essay Example

To what extent has China become a ‘responsible stakeholder’ in the international politics of the Asia-Pacific region? Introduction In the midst of the current global economic crisis, China has clearly emerged as one of the fastest and most consistent economies in the world. In recent years, changes in its political system have managed to ease certain restrictions in the country and have also permitted the liberalization of trade policies. These changes have now allowed China to play a larger role in international politics especially as far as influencing policy in the Asia-Pacific region is concerned. Through these changes, it has become a stakeholder in international politics. However, the extent to which it has become a responsible stakeholder has not been completely determined. This paper shall discuss the fact that China has extensively become a responsible stakeholder in the Asia-Pacific region. The first part of this paper shall clarify the origins of the responsible stakeholder concept. Such conceptualization shall then be followed with discussions from various authors who will help determine the extent to which China has become a responsible stakeholder in the Asia-Pacific region. Finally, a discussion on China as a responsible stakeholder in terms of how it has managed to sustain the political, economic, and security systems that provide common benefits for the nations in the Asia-Pacific region shall be discussed. Discussion: Responsible stakeholder concept The ‘responsible stakeholder’ concept was initially coined by US Deputy State Secretary Robert Zoellick; he conceptualized this term very much in relation to Central Asia—more particularly, China. According to Zoellick, responsibility as a stakeholder exists when “major power invested in the international system has a compelling interest in seeing its investment protected and the rules of the international system defended against those likely to violate them…” (Zoellick, as quoted by Rumer, et.al., 2007, p. 70). Responsibility as stakeholders, in this instance, involves international cooperation and the protection of common interests. Being a responsible stakeholder also implies a stakeholder’s (in this instance, China) capacity to sustain the existing political, security and economic systems in the region (Asia-Pacific region). Extent of China’s role as a responsible stakeholder The extent to which China has become a responsible stakeholder in the Asia-Pacific region is one of the most crucial questions in international politics. In his paper, Gries (2005) points out that China’s communist/socialist political system has somehow allowed it to modify its demeanor in the past several years. “More and more Chinese are claiming a nationalist right to express their views on China’s foreign policy, and the CCP, fearful of losing their support, is paying careful attention to their views” (Gries, 2005, p. 403). Gries emphasizes China’s expanding foreign policies by citing China’s relations with the United States – a relationship which has been shifting from one extreme to another. Before the 9/11 attacks, China’s relations with the United States was filled with tension over China’s policy over Taiwan. Bush even declared that he would do everything in his power to support Taiwan. However, in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, China lent its support to the United States in its fight against terrorism (Gries, 2005, p. 406). And these two countries have been allies since then, with former President Bush throwing his support for China, and now keeping mum on the Taiwan issue (Chen-yuan Tung, 2009). This alliance has managed to reduce tension between these two nations; all in the name of international security. The extent to which China has become a responsible stakeholder has transcended to a participative scale because “rather than merely following the lead of others, China is championing some multilateral initiatives in the region and has sought to catalyze existing trends through economic diplomacy” (Christensen, 2006, p. 92). It is taking a more active participation in ensuring that the different nations in Asia are cooperating and working together in order to achieve peace and cooperation in the region. For instance, in as far as denuclearization is concerned, China hosted talks in order to pressure North Korea to dismantle its weapons and its weapons-related programs. Moreover, China also implemented functioning meetings with South Korea and Japan in order to address security issues (Christensen, 2006, p. 93). These are important initiatives taken by China in order to ensure that the rules of the international system are not violated by the different nations in the Asian-Pacific region. China’s ability to sustain political, economic and security interests as a responsible stakeholder It is important to note how China has managed to rise to its current economic status. First and foremost, China’s rise to power started in the market reforms launched in the 1970s which increased the size of its economy; an economy which it later doubled in the 1980s (Ikenberry, 2008, p. 2). Then, throughout the years, it has become a major manufacturing center; consequently, it has become a major global consumer of iron, steel, and coal. It has about $1 trillion foreign reserves and it has increased its military allocations at a rate of 18% a year; it also has improved its diplomatic relations with its Asian neighbors as well as with Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East (Ikenberry, 2008, p. 2). The economic success that China has managed to achieve throughout the years was done by sustaining the economic interests of other countries in the region. It formed cooperative networks with other nations in Asia and it also complied with WTO regulations on easing tariff rates, thus allowing all nations to benefit from open trade relations. China has managed to achieve, through peaceful means, what other more powerful nations have achieved through the blood of their citizens. So far, the steps that China has taken to improve its economy and political standing, not just in Asia, but across the globe as well, has been accepted and respected by other countries. Its relationship with the world’s most powerful and successful nations has also been improved in recent years. “As China’s power has grown, Beijing’s relations with major powers around the world have improved rather than deteriorated” (Zhao & Liu, 2007, p. 585). China’s so called peaceful rise to power is in stark contrast to how other nations have achieved economic and political power, which was, more commonly, through military might and dominance. Analysts are keen to point out that China is hardly a power which would endanger its present economic progress by prioritizing its military prowess and development with the ultimate goal of wrestling economic control from the United States. Quite the opposite in fact, these analysts further emphasize that, as a responsible stakeholder, China has managed to “protect the rules of the international system [and] defended against those likely to violate them” (Zoellick, as quoted by Rumer, 2007, p. 70). Even the controversy regarding the independence of Taiwan is still an indication of China’s role in sustaining political stability in the Asia-Pacific region. We can easily cite the term of President George Bush when he threatened to respond through force against efforts by China to attack Taiwan (Christensen, 2006, p. 112). Taiwan unilaterally declared itself as a nation independent of China. China has since emphasized that without the proper legitimate process, a territory cannot declare itself independent because this sets a dangerous precedent for international laws and sovereignty (Christensen, 2006, p. 112). By securing and affirming international security processes in relation to the Taiwan issue, China has managed to prove that it is a responsible stakeholder in the international politics of the Asia-Pacific region. It can secure the political interests of the region by upholding the processes of international laws. As was previously mentioned, being a responsible stakeholder also involves the ability to sustain the political and security interests of the different nations in the Asia-Pacific region. In terms of managing security and territorial disputes with India, Bhutan, and Paracel, China has taken various approaches towards resolving these issues. These varying approaches actually affect China’s ability to handle conflicts while still managing conflicts with strong adversaries (Fravle, 2007, p. 81). Its potential in the use of force is actually not definite. On one hand, China’s disputes with India, Bhutan, Paracel were indeed effectively resolved. Through consistent diplomatic relations with other countries, China was able to resolve territorial disputes with nary a bullet fired or any showing of military might. Interest groups and analysts in China also point out that it would be best for China to set aside its desire to seek Japan’s apology on the Second World War issue. This move has been condemned by many Chinese citizens; however, it is a move which many consider as a measure to help improve the security and the diplomatic relations in the Asia-Pacific region, and thereby to further improve its status as a responsible stakeholder in the Asia-Pacific region (Shi, as quoted by Gries, 2005, p. 409). The policies adopted by President Hu Jintao also indicate how China’s direction is now towards a harmonious society which focuses more on scientific development perspectives (Hu, 2005, as quoted by Zhao & Liu, 2007, p. 589). The focus on a cooperative and harmonious society was seen in the mid-1990s when China set forth cooperative relations with the Association of Southeast Nations; when it became more active in seeking North Korean nuclear disarmament; and when, in the past several years, it has “followed a good neighbor policy and built friendly relations with almost all of its neighbors (Zhao & Liu, 2007, p. 602). There is now less apprehension among its neighbors about building diplomatic relations with China, and this has helped further boost its status as a responsible stakeholder in the Asia-Pacific region. The current leadership of China has come to accept its role as a responsible stakeholder in the region by becoming an ardent supporter of new Asian regionalism in order to ultimately pursue a peaceful status quo power with the US as far as the Asia-Pacific region is concerned (Gries, 2005, p. 407). In the current global economic state, Western powers have become very accommodating of other rising powers. In order to establish global power status, there has now been a lesser dependence on the possession of mechanisms of war. And this has given China the necessary opening to make its own bid as a global power. In order to achieve economic and political progress, China followed the international rules prescribed for defensive purposes. It protected its economic and sovereign interests as it sought to reassure other states that its intentions were very much peaceful by participating in regional and global groupings (Ikenberry, 2008, p. 5). Analysts point out that China is progressing as a country by following not just the rules set by international institutions, but also by following the rules set by Western nations. Through its status as one of the permanent members of the Security Council, it has also acquired the advantageous position of protecting global economic interests and peace. It has managed to protect this status over the years by making its “economic interests…congruent with the current global economic system…” (Ikenberry, 2008, p. 5). Conclusion The discussion above sets forth important points about China. In the current international politics, it has managed to be extensive in its role as a responsible stakeholder by participating more in global and regional politics, by joining with other nations in pressuring North Korea and Japan in getting rid of their nuclear and chemical weapons, and by slowly and gradually easing-in free trade relations into its shores. Moreover, as a responsible stakeholder, it has also managed to sustain the political, economic, and security interests of the Asia-Pacific region. It has managed to rise peacefully as an economic power by participating and even initiating Asia-Pacific economic cooperation activities. It has managed to sustain political interests in the region by taking an active participation in diplomatic relations with other nations in Asia. These activities undertaken by China in the past several years taken collectively prove that China has extensively taken on the role as a responsible stakeholder in the Asia-Pacific region. Works Cited Chen-yuan Tung, 03 November 2009, Is China a Responsible Stakeholder?, Mainland Affairs Council, viewed 25 November 2009 from http://74.125.153.132/search?q=cache:rcGH50pGxR8J:www.mac.gov.tw/english/english/macpolicy/cn9604.htm+china+stakeholder+politics&hl=en&gl=ph&strip=1 Christensen, T., 2006, Fostering Stability of Creating a Monster? The Rise of Asia and US Policy Toward East Asia, International Security, volume 31, number 1, pp. 81-126. Fravel, M., 2007, Power Shifts and Escalation, International Security, volume 32, number 3, pp. 44-83 Gries, P., 2005, China Eyes the Hegemon, Foreign Policy Research Institute, Elsevier Limited, volume 401 Ikenberry, J., February 2008, The Rise of China and the Future of the West: Can the Liberal System Survive? Foreign Affairs Council on Foreign Relations Rumer, E. Trenin, D., & Zhao, H. 2007, Central Asia: views from Washington, Moscow, and Beijing, New York: M.E. 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