Unit 3 AOS 2: Key Knowledge Flashcards
Interpretations (National Security)
‘One China Policy’
- One interpretation is China aims for a “peaceful reunification” with Taiwan
- Another interpretation suggests China will ultimately use military power to resolve this issue, invading Taiwan (demonstration of military force at parades)
Interpretations (Economic Prosperity)
Economic growth
- In 2018 by former US Vice President, Mike Pence, accredited China’s economic growth due to US investment and the free and fair-trade system established by the United States (“Much of this success was driven by American investment in China.”)
- Xi Jinping who accredited China’s economic growth to the Chinese people who “have added a glorious chapter to the development epic of the country and the nation.” (Boao Forum 2018)
Interpretations (Regional Relationships)
South China Sea
- President Xi Jinping said the islands “have been China’s territory since ancient times”
- Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte said, “We must fully utilise these legal tools to ensure that the South China Sea remains a sea of peace, stability, and prosperity” (referring to ICJ ruling in 2016)
Interpretations (International Standing)
Uighurs in Xinjiang
- President Xi Jinping said “The sense of gain, happiness, and security among the people of all ethnic groups [in Xinjiang] has continued to increase”
- US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield said “We will keep standing up and speaking out until China’s government stops its crimes against humanity and the genocide of Uighurs and other minorities in Xinjiang “and “In Xinjiang, people are being tortured. Women are being forcibly sterilised”
Hard Power
Power exercised through incentive or coercion to influence the actions of other global actors (Eg. often military power)
Soft Power
Ability of one global actor to shape the actions of other global actors via appeal, attraction and persuasion, with the absence of incentive or coercion
(Eg. diplomatic, cultural ties)
FPI (Trade)
Refers to the manipulation of the exchange of goods, services, labour and capital to influence the actions of another state
- Eg. China-Australia Free Trade Agreement 2015 (ChAFTA)
This trade deal is worth $183 Billion, with 95% of trade being tariff free upon full implementation)
FPI (Aid)
Refers to the provision of assistance, predominantly monetary, to global actors with the intention of influencing their decisions and actions in order to achieve a specific aim
- Eg. In 2021, Xi Jinping pledged to donate 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to African countries (“We must prioritise the protection of our people and close the vaccination gap”)
Idealism
• Principle, moral, upheld, even at the expense of …
• The means are just as important as the end
Eg. China’s claims over the South China Sea are based on historical claims such as the nine-dash line (ideological principle)
Pragmatism
• Guided by “practical considerations … even at the expense of an ideal”
• The end justifies and outweighs the means
Eg. China’s claims over the South China Sea and use of military power are a pragmatic approach as it is at the expense of international standing
Factors
- Cultural identity (Eg. Multiethnic state, detain and “re-educate” millions of Uighurs as it attempts to stifle separatist movements within its borders)
- One China policy (Beijing considers Taiwan to be a province of China, one that will eventually be fully reunified — by force, if necessary. China is adamant about this and frequently seeks to assert its claim to Taiwan on the global stage)
- Desire for hegemon status (Eg. China desires regional/ global hegemon status)
- Emerging miliary power
- China’s reliance on oil imports (Eg. 7.6 million barrels per day imported into China)
- Authoritarian system of government
- History of censorship
- One country, two systems (China and Hong Kong or Macau)
- International relationships
National Security, Military
Military Parade (70th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China)
- Showcases military firepower and emphasize Chinese sovereignty
- 15,000 troops, 580 military vehicles, 160 aircraft, 40% of all equipment on display was ‘new’
- Show of power could indicate Beijing’s intention to reclaim Taiwan, through force if necessary
- Xi Jinping’s “unification of the motherland”
National Security, Economic
Chinese Embargo on Australian Goods
- In 2020, China imposed an 80% tariff on Australian barley
- Seen as a punitive measure to allegedly pressure the Australian government into changing its public stance on an independent inquiry into the COVID-19 outbreak
- China’s ambassador to Australia Cheng Jingye further warned that Chinese consumers might boycott Australian beef and wine “out of a patriotic sense of duty”
National Security, Diplomatic
2022 state visit to China by Russian President Putin for Winter Olympics
- Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin reaffirmed their support for each other’s foreign policy, including Russia’s backing of China over Taiwan
- Both expressed concern over the AUKUS defence alliance
- New deal to increase gas exports to China to 48 billion cubic metres a year via a new pipeline
National Security, Political
2018 Detention and “re-education” of ~1m Uighurs
- China wants a ‘harmonious society’
- “Three evils”, terrorism, separatism, extremism
- Major human rights issue
