Unit 3 AOs 2

Question 1

Sovereignty

Answer 1

<p>Legitimate or widely recognised ability to exercise effective control of a territory within recognised borders. This is the primary organising principle of global politics, providing states with the authority to represent their territorial entity within the international community. State sovereignty can be challenged internally (for example, secessionist groups) or externally (for example, one state invades another).</p>

Question 2

Power

Answer 2

<p>Refers to the ability of one global actor to influence the actions of another global actor. Power can be exercised in a range of types and forms.</p>

Question 3

National Interest

Answer 3

Used as an all-embracing concept to justify policy preferences and actions, and includes the goals or objectives of foreign policy.

Question 4

Security

Answer 4

Traditionally refers to protection of state’s borders from intruders and the maintenance of sovereignty. Has evolved to include softer forms of security, such as access to resources (economic security) and protection of ecosystems (environmental security)

Question 5

Idealism

Answer 5

School of thought in which foreign policy is influenced above all else by moral principle, as opposed to practical and pragmatic considerations.

Question 6

Pragmatism

Answer 6

School of thought in which foreign policy is influenced above all else by practical and pragmatic considerations, as opposed to moral principles.

Question 7

4 elements of the National Interest

Answer 7

National Security
Economic Prosperity
Regional Relationships
International Standing

Question 8

4 pillars of the Chinese Dream

Answer 8

Strong China = economically, politically, diplomatically, scientifically, militarily
Civilised China = equity and fairness, rich culture, high morals
Harmonious society = amity among social classes
Beautiful China = Healthy environment, low pollution

Question 9

What are the ‘Two 100s’ in the Chinese Dream

Answer 9

2021 – 100th year anniversary of the CCP – to be a “moderately well-off society” = DOUBLING 2010 GDP per capita by about 2020  GDP/capita in 2010 was $4550, in 2020 it was $10,540

2049 – 100th year of founding of the PRC – to be a “fully developed nation” =
Regaining position as world leader in science, technology, economics and business
Resurgence of Chinse civilisation, culture and military might
China participating actively in all areas of human endeavour

Question 10

What are the factors that shape China’s national interests?

Answer 10

State formation = one party state = desire to remain in power
cultural and ethnic identities = existence of Tibetans and Uighurs
Ideology = nationalism
History = Century of Shame + Middle Kingdom (rejuvenation)
International Relationships
Economic necessity

Question 11

What are China’s National Security interests?

Answer 11

Political security  maintenance of CCP rule
Territorial integrity  maintain sovereignty (includes Taiwan, East China Sea and South China Sea)
Economic Security – access to resources, trade routes and grow wealth

Question 12

What are China’s Economic Prosperity interests?

Answer 12

Continue economic growth – Xi says ‘new normal’ is 6-6.5% per year
Maintain access to trade
Resource security – Food and Energy
‘Common prosperity’ - Reduce inequity
Made in China 2025 – move from being the ‘world’s factory’ and upgrade manufacturing to being ‘technology-intensive powerhouse’  i.e. create higher paid jobs – to transition to being a consumer economy + reduce dependence on foreign suppliers

Question 13

What are China’s Regional Relationship interests?

Answer 13

Creating positive bi-lateral relationships that are ‘win-win’ – e.g. trade
Have Sovereignty claims recognised by regional neighbours
Desire to be regional hegemon

Question 14

What are China’s International Standing interests?

Answer 14

To become a ‘responsible great power’ – create new and alternative institutions e.g. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) + engagement in existing institutions of global governance + role in Climate Change

Question 15

What are the factors that shape China’s National Security interests?

Answer 15

1. Maintenance of CCP rule - popular nationalism must be upheld - t/f importance of sovereignty
2. Cultural Identity - creates secessionist groups that need to be quelled (Uighurs, Tibet)
3. History - justification for sov claims + Century of Shame shapes approach

Question 16

What are the factors that are shaping China’s Economic Prosperity interests

Answer 16

1. Maintenance of CCP rule (regime security)
2. Middle Class expectations
3. Economic and social inequity = GINI rising
4. Environmental security = impact of pollution impacts approach to Ec Pros
5. International relations = impacts trade relations/requires shift to becoming more self-dependent

Question 17

What are factors shaping China’s Regional Relationships interests?

Answer 17

1. History - symbolism of middle kingdom
2. Maintenance of CCP rule = importance of appealing to popular nationalism
3. Economic necessity - access to trade

Question 18

Factors that shape China’s International Standing interests

Answer 18

1. Economic necessity - trade
2. History
3. Maintenance of CCP rule
4. Leader of South-South development

Question 19

How does History shape National interests?

Answer 19

Century of Shame - CCP used term as propaganda for 100 years prior to 1949 revolution - part of their justification of being better government is that they have not allowed themselves to be subjugated like prev. regime BUT shapes China’s NI b/c can’t be seen to be losing face t/f makes sov. claims key for NS + impacts the way they operate on international stage which impacts international standing and regional relationships

Middle Kingdom - symbolic past that Chinese Dream links to in terms of ‘rejuvenation’ - particularly Strong China - links to National Security and Economic Prosperity

Question 20

How does maintenance of CCP rule shape National Interests?

Answer 20

= number 1 priority
currently under threat from:
impact of COVID-19 on the economy + rising inequality
Threat of Uighurs
Position of Xi Jinping

t/f regime has fostered popular nationalism - has led to Wolf Warrior diplomacy - has won CCP kudos at home (although alienated abroad) contributes to:
- aggressive pursuit of sovereignty claims (National Security)
- reaction to Australia for questioning COVID-19
- doubled down efforts to defend Huwawei

Question 21

Differing interpretations of National Security

Answer 21

CCP = Territorial Integrity essential to national security t/f defend threats to sov. over disputed territory = increased militarisation
vs.
DPP in Taiwan = Taiwan is an independent and sovereign country
+
US/Australia in SCS= international waters, Senkaku Islands (US recongises Japanese sov.)

Question 22

Differing interpretations of Economic Prosperity

Answer 22

Xi Jinping = Common Prosperity = restore state control over economy in order to address wealth divide and restore equity

vs.

Liu He (Deputy Premier) = focus on GDP growth through market capitalism - allow private sector to continue to grow

Question 23

Key economic stats that support Common Prosperity interpretation

Answer 23

wealthiest 1% hold 30.6% of the country’s wealth cf. 209% 20 years ago
+ 600 mil Chinese live on a monthly income of US$154

Question 24

Key economic stats that support market capitalism as an approach

Answer 24

private sector = 50% of tax revenue, 60% of GDP and 70% of technological innovation + 80% of urban employment
China has 124/500 of the world’s largest companies (Fortune 500) but the average profit margin is 4.5% compared to 8.9% for US companies + return on assets is 1.9% vs. US 4.9%
BECAUSE 94/124 are SOEs
– ave return of assets of SOEs is 1.2% vs. 3.7% for private Chinese businesses and Private companies have 7% profit margin vs. 3.5% for SOEs
SOE accounted for +50% of corporate debt but only 22% of GDP = inefficient

Question 25

Differing interpretations to Regional Relationships

Answer 25

Left of CCP - Support NK at all costs ‘close as lips and teeth’ b/c it is ideologically and geopolitically crucial

vs.

Zhao Lingman - PRC should abandon NK b/c it is a diplomatic liability

Question 26

Differing interpretations of International Standing

Answer 26

Hide strength bide time (inspired by Deng Xiaoping) - in order to protect trade for economic development = peaceful rise

vs.

Peace through strength (Xi Jinping) - in order to prevent being isolated on international stage by US - need to be more outward looking e.g. SCS, BRI, AIIB

Question 27

Key strengths of China’s Economic Power

Answer 27

GDP = $24.861 trillion (2021 est.) – 1st in the world
2021 Economic growth = 8.1% = 38th in the world
Low Budget Deficit and low Public Debt (47% of GDP)
#1 Exporter i the world, #2 Importer
#1 for reserves of foreign exchange and gold - $3.48tr

Question 28

Key weaknesses of China’s economic power

Answer 28

Low GDP per capita - 99th in the world $17,600
Economic growth has slowed
GINI coefficient 38.2 and rising
Reliance on imports of high tech - reliance on US and Taiwan for semi-conductors

Question 29

States that rely on China for trade = economic power over

Answer 29

North Korea = 68.5%
Australia = 36%
Taiwan = 34.3%
South Korea = 27.9%
Japan 26.6%
US = 15.7%

Question 30

Key strengths of China’s military power

Answer 30

• increase in military spending of approx. 7% a year for last 4 years –> funded modernisation
• largest army - 2mil.
• largest navy - 340+ ships
• nuclear capability

Question 31

Key weaknesses of China’s military power

Answer 31

• tech capacity improving but still far behind US
• mil spending 1/4 of US
• Airforce relatively small
• only 2 aircraft carriers vs. US 11 = lack of blue water capability

Question 32

Key strengths of China’s political power

Answer 32

• One Party State
• Cult of Xi + centralisation of power in his hands incl. Xi Jinping though enshrined in constitution
  = tight controlled

Enables control of information through censorship

Question 33

Key weaknesses of China’s political power

Answer 33

• lack of plurality of ideas - failure of Li Keqiang to continue reform agenda due to Xi stranglehold on power
• lack of legitimacy overseas due to undemocratic nature + loss of democratic centralism
• transitioning form being a one party dictatorship to being a one leader dictatorship

Question 34

Key strengths of China’s diplomatic power

Answer 34

Veto in the UN
IMF voting power 6.19% increased from 3.81% in 2010 due to reforms that were adopted in December 2015
Membership of G20, APEC, WTO, ASEAN dialogue partner, many more
China as more diplomatic posts in the world than any other state – 276

Question 35

Key weaknesses of China’s diplomatic power

Answer 35

• lack of alliance network (no match for NATO/AUKUS etc.)
• reliance on trade to build relations - lack of natural affinity
• IMF power 1/3 of US

Question 36

China’s Cultural Power - what it has and limitations of

Answer 36

Confucius institutions = 530 BUT short of 1000 by 2020 aim due to controversy
3rd most foreign students in China + Chinese overseas - Lowy ranks 1st for People Exchanges in Asia region
Global Media network - 6 languages overseas but Lowy institute gave US 99.7 for information flows vs. China 19.8 t/f does not control narrative

Question 37

Causes of China’s Soft Power Deficit

Answer 37

• concerns about government influence in Chinese businesses - e.g. Huawei
• treatment of Uighurs –> criticism
• tensions in South China Sea
• concern about roll back of rights in Hong Kong
• COVID-19 suspicions
• trade war with US
• debts caused by Belt and Road
• impact of use of Wolf Warrior Diplomacy