China’s Global Foreign Policy

By: Cory Kemp

• China officially states it "unswervingly pursues an independent
foreign policy of peace. The fundamental goals of this policy are to
preserve China's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity,
create a favorable international environment for China's reform and
opening up and modernization construction, maintain world peace
and propel common development."
Structure
• China's foreign policy carried out by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Foreign Affairs Ministry is subordinate to the Foreign Affairs Leading
Small Group Of the Communist Party of China
• Much of Chinese foreign policy is formulated in think tanks
• sponsored and supervised by, but formally outside of the government.
• China is distinctive for having a separate body of Chinese strategic
thought and theory of international relations which is distinct from
Western theory
Foreign Policy
• China has placed particular emphasis on the development of “good-
neighborly” relations and “partnership” with border countries in
order to prevent external threats from exacerbating internal frictions
and emphasized non-military aspects of its comprehensive national
power, adopting a three-pronged approach of:
• Setting aside areas of disagreement with neighboring states
• Focusing on confidence-building measures to promote ties
• Engaging in economic integration and multilateral cooperation to address
shared concerns
Primary Aims of China’s Foreign Policy
• China seeks to achieve modernization, create a benevolent and peaceful
external environment, and take steps that allow it to develop its domestic
economy
• The critical points of Chinese foreign policy are maintaining peaceful relations
with other states and complying with the principles of fairness and justice.
• The Chinese government contends that diplomacy should ensure the
country’s prosperity, open up new paths for the nation’s rejuvenation, and
create conditions that benefit the Chinese people.
Eight-Point Philosophy
• In 2007, Foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang made a statement about the eight-point
diplomatic philosophy of China:
• China will not seek hegemony. China is still a developing country and has no resources to
seek hegemony. Even if China becomes a developed country, it will not seek hegemony.
• China will not play power politics and will not interfere with other countries' internal
affairs. China will not impose its own ideology on other countries.
• China maintains all countries, big or small, should be treated equally and respect each
other. All affairs should be consulted and resolved by all countries on the basis of equal
participation. No country should bully others on the basis of strength.
• China will make judgment on each case in international affairs, each matter on the merit
of the matter itself and it will not have double standards. China will not have two
policies: one for itself and one for others. China believes that it cannot do unto others
what they do not wish others do unto them.
• China advocates that all countries handle their relations on the basis of the United Nations
Charter and norms governing international relations. China advocates stepping up international
cooperation and is against unilateral politics. China should not undermine the dignity and the
authority of the U.N. China should not impose and set its own wishes above the U.N. Charter,
international law and norms.
• China advocates peaceful negotiation and consultation so as to resolve its international disputes.
China does not resort to force, or threat of force, in resolving international disputes. China
maintains a reasonable national military buildup to defend its own sovereignty and territorial
integrity. It is not made to expand, nor does it seek invasion or aggression.
• China is firmly opposed to terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. China
is a responsible member of the international community, and as for international treaties, China
abides by all them in a faithful way. China never plays by a double standard, selecting and
discarding treaties it does not need.
• China respects the diversity of civilization and the whole world. China advocates different cultures
make exchanges, learn from each other, and complement one another with their own strengths.
China is opposed to clashes and confrontations between civilizations, and China does not link any
particular ethnic group or religion with terrorism.
Africa
• Establishment of modern Sino-African relations dates back to the late
1950s
• China signed the first official bilateral trade agreement
with Algeria, Egypt, Guinea, Somalia, Morocco and Sudan
• In the 1960s and 1970s, China’s interest was building ideological
solidarity
• Chinese interests evolved into trade, investment, and energy after
Cold War
• Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), held in Beijing in
October 2000 was the first collective dialogue between China and
African nations.
• Sino-African trade quadrupled between 2000 and 2006
• 2006 China becomes second largest trader behind the US
• China is Africa's third largest commercial partner after the US and
France, and second largest exporter to Africa after France
• China has 14 military attachés in 14 different African countries; there
are 18 African countries who maintain their attachés in Beijing
• China provides military training and equipment to a few countries
• Criticized for supporting authoritarianism and autocracy
Asia
• It has contributed to stability on the Korean Peninsula, cultivated a
more cooperative relationship with members of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and participated in the ASEAN
Regional Forum.
• In 1997, the ASEAN member nations and China, South Korea and
Japan agreed to hold yearly talks to further strengthen regional
cooperation, the ASEAN Plus Three meetings
• In 2005, the "ASEAN Plus Three" countries together
with India, Australia and New Zealand held the inaugural East Asia
Summit (EAS)
• China and Russia joined with the Central Asian nations of Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan to found the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization (SCO) in June 2001. The SCO is designed to
promote regional stability and cooperate to combat terrorism in the
region.
• July 2001, China and Russia signed a Treaty of Friendship and
Cooperation with President Putin and President Jiang
• Relations with India have also improved considerably
• Relations in the 21st century between the world's two most populous
states have never been more harmonious
• Collaborate in several economic and strategic areas
• Both countries have doubled their economic trade in the past few
years
• China became India's largest trading partner in 2010.
Arab World
• Established relations with Egypt and Saudi Arabia in the 1930s
• Gamal Abdel Nasser established new tie with the People's Republic of China in
1956
• By the 1990s all Arab states had recognized the People's Republic of China as the
legitimate state of China
• Relations between China and Arab League as an organization, officially started in
1956
• 1993 the Arab League opened its first Office in China
• 1996 Chinese president Jiang Zemin visited the Arab League headquarters in
Cairo to become the first Chinese leader to have an official visit for the Arab
League
• The Sino-Arab Cooperation Forum established in January 2004
• Signed the Joint Communiqué on Environmental Cooperation on June 1, 2006
Latin America
• Caribbean relations mainly based on trade, credits and investments
• Trade between China and Latin America increased by 1,200% or from $10
million to $130 billion between 2000 and 2009 (US only larger trading
partner)
• Politically China is viewed as an alternative to US and Europe for support
• This trend has been accompanied by a rise in bilateral agreements
• Many nations still hold diplomatic relations with Taiwan but believed to be
holding out for better offers from China
• China is training increasing numbers of Latin American and Caribbean
region military personnel
United States
• Fought against each other in the Korean and Vietnam War
• “Ping Pong Diplomacy” helped to open relations between the two
countries
• May 1973, established United States Liasion Office in Beijing
• Formally recognizes the PRC in 1979
• US suspended certain trade and investment programs in 1989 after
the Tiananmen Crackdown (including an arms embargo that is still
shaping diplomatic talks and maneuvering)
• US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue establish April 2009
European Union
• Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) established in 1996
• 3 Pillars: Political Pillar, Economical Pillar, and Social, Cultural and Educational
Pillar
• EU is China's largest trading partner, and China is the EU's second
largest trading partner
• Between 2009 and 2010 alone EU exports to China increased by 38% and
China's exports to the EU increased by 31%
• Sources of tension: human rights and the EU's arms embargo on
China
• EU-Chinese trade increased faster than the Chinese economy itself
• tripling in ten years from USD14.3 billion in 1985 to USD45.6 billion in 1994
Strategy Change Since Xi Jinping’s
Empowerment
• China is a more aware, involved international actor
• Pursuing innovative initiatives with the hope of becoming a new sort
of great power
• Three big changes in China’s foreign policy:
• instead of looking at issues from a China-centric perspective, Beijing now
looks at issues from a more global angle
• now more aware of and takes more initiative on issues of global importance
• Places greater emphasis on innovation and awareness
Role of Developing Countries
• Developing countries are a cornerstone of China’s foreign policy
under Xi Jinping
• Developing countries and emerging powers are China’s reliable
friends and sincere partners
• These relationships support China’s overseas interests and
investments
• Xi Jinping’s first trip after assuming power was to Russia, which
indicates that Beijing prioritizes emerging countries and also testifies
to China’s emphasis on great-power relationships.