China Flashcards
What has China been in the post-Cold War era?
An economic powerhouse + formidable military power
One of the most rapidly developing economies in world
Inequality still rampant
Under whose leadership did China’s ascent to global power begin?
- Began under leadership of Deng Xiaoping
- With his open-door reform policies
- Opened up China to FDI
- Move from heavily centralised economy to free-market style economy
When did China become a member of the World Bank + IMF?
In 1980
When did Xi Jingping become leader and what did this signify?
In 2013
Signified end of ‘Lay Low’ doctrine
Does China have big power status?
Integrating itself into international community so its capability to have influence is growing
What does its big power status mean?
Status allows for human rights abuses
-> growing income inequality, environmental degradation, violation of social + economic rights
Powers e.g. US dependent on China so don’t hold it accountable for violations
How has China been able to breach its sanctions in the past?
- Faced sanctions after Tiananmen Square
- China (as permanent member of UNSC) threatened to use its veto in 1990 debate over authorising force against Iraq
- That threat helped China to breach its sanctions
What is Chinese foreign policy based on?
The 5 Principles for Peaceful Coexistence
- Respect for national sovereignty
- Non-aggression
- Non-interference in internal affairs of other states
- Equality + mutual benefit
- Peaceful coexistence
What actions don’t appear to be in accordance with the 5 principles?
China’s actions over South + East China Seas
esp. concerning non-aggression
Why are there tensions between 5 principles + China’s involvement in IOs?
Involvement in IOs relies on greater openness + sometimes involvement in each other’s affairs
e.g. peacekeeping
Thus China participates in IOs with a certain degree of ambivalence
Is China becoming more assertive in its FP?
- Has become more assertive in its FP
- Has moved away from mutual coexistence
What has foreign policy been like under Xi Jingping?
- Abandonment of ‘lay low’ doctrine
- Aggressively expansionist approach
- Rapid military modernisation
- Defeating any form of Taiwan independence
- Enhancement of soft power -> developing socialist art + literature
- Promise never to pursue hegemony on world stage
How did the 2008 crisis help China to build influence?
- Emerged in strong financial position
- Overtook Japan in 2014 as 2nd largest economy
- In developing world, bolstered credibility of China’s economic growth model
- Crisis caused reputational damage to US model of capitalism
What is China’s greatest objective?
- Greatest objective is stability
- This objective drives its conduct
Why does China need a stable global environment?
- Needs a stable growth environment to pursue the very high growth rates it needs
- Growth rates only slightly above minimum level needed to maintain employment, standards of living + CCP’s governing legitimacy
How has China’s greater assertiveness in IOs been shown?
- Reflecting China’s growing economic might
- Seen in its ability to shape policies
- Ability to promote national interests
- Use IOs as a platform to project hard + soft power
- Has grown very direct in articulating its interests
How has China’s expanding influence in IOs been shown?
- Influence over IOs has increased, esp. after financial crisis
- Increasing sensitivity in IOs to Chinese concerns -> more automatically factored into the decision-making of others
How has China’s extreme effectiveness IOs been shown?
- Highly effective player in advancing own agenda + deflecting objectionable proposals
- e.g. negotiating skill it used to ensure an outcome to Copenhagen Climate Summit almost entirely in line with its own interests
- Results from high quality delegates China sends to participate in IOs
How has China been playing a defensive game in some IOs?
- In APEC, China is an active participant solely to monitor agenda + deflect proposals it finds objectionable
- As US plays prominent role in APEC, China wants alternative IO (without China) to play same role
How has China been an increasingly valuable + constructive participant in IOs?
China has made constructive contributions to UN peacekeeping operations
How does China utilise its participation in IOs to promote the sanctity of its One China policy?
- Primacy of Taiwan
- Developing countries that adhere to One China = often recipients of Chinese aid programs
- In IOs, countries that don’t adhere face Chinese opposition
e. g. In Asian Development Bank. China votes against every project for Solomon Islands (still recognise Taiwan)
In short, China has become…
- Increasingly important trade partner (in many cases displacing the US)
- Increasingly important source of aid + development assistance
- Increasingly relevant + attractive model of economic development
