Chinese Foreign Policy Pragmatism And Strategic Behavior

This volume explores how China is adapting to international norms and practices while still giving primacy to its national interests. It examines China's strategic behaviour on the world stage, particularly in its relationships with major powers and Asian neighbours.

This volume explores how China is adapting to international norms and practices while still giving primacy to its national interests. It examines China's strategic behaviour on the world stage, particularly in its relationships with major powers and Asian neighbours.

This study of Chinese foreign policy is intended for academics and graduates of Chinese studies and of international relations, international economics and those interested in decision-making theory.

Since the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, and particularly after the opening brought about by economic reforms roughly thirty years thereafter, China has become an influential player in regional and global affairs. Increasingly, both American and European policymakers examine Chinese foreign policy as a flexible, pragmatic, and significant element in world affairs. This has accelerated in the middle of the new first decade of this century, as business firms and political officials have developed interests in the sources, processes, and significance of China's reemergence as a global force. This volume examines how, in conjunction with rapid economic growth and profound social transformation, China's foreign policy is experiencing significant transition. The purpose of this truly deep and probing collection is to deepen Western understanding of the sources, substance, and significance of Chinese foreign policy--with a focus on the post Cold War environment. Contributors include academic specialists, area researchers, and distinguished journalists, all with firsthand experience in the field of China studies. The volume is divided into four parts: (1) theory and culture; (2) perspective and identity; (3) bilateral relationships; and (4) retrospective and prospective essays on Chinese policy concerns. The volume is sensitive to changes in national leadership and Communist Party structure as well as continuity and change in foreign policy. As Lowell Dittmer of the University of California notes in his Foreword, "precisely because it is so difficult to do well, the analysis of foreign policy is often conducted rather tritely. Thus it is a real pleasure to find assembled here a treasure trove of some of the finest work by some of the field's most penetrating minds. This is fortunate, for at the core of this volume is one of the biggest and most portentous questions to confront the world at the outset of the twenty-first century. That

The book examines, linking two key variables – ‘political leadership’ and ‘foreign policy’ – the role of Deng Xiaoping in China’s foreign policy shift after Mao in politico-strategic and economic domains. The book finds out that guided by his own personality, worldview, experience, pragmatism, belief and style Deng attempted to resolve the long-standing domestic and foreign policy issues. Most importantly, Deng moved from the primacy of politics to economic modernisation which resulted in far-reaching changes in China’s external engagement. The book's central inquiry is to assess the contemporary relevance of Deng’s foreign policy paradigm. It establishes that the relevance of Deng’s policy continues in the present context except for China’s pro-activeness towards issues pertaining to its territorial integrity and sovereignty. Using China’s case, the study advances the framework of understanding pertaining to the role of political leadership in foreign policy.

This report analyzes the implications of political-military, social, intellectual, and economic change within China for the evolution of Chinese foreign policy over the next 10-15 years. The purpose of such analysis is to discern whether and how the profound changes under way in China could prove adverse to U.S. interests in Asia. The report finds that strong incentives will likely remain for China to adhere to the central tenets of its existing foreign policy during the period examined, marked by overall caution and pragmatism, a recognition of the need for a placid Asian security environment, and a balancing of both cooperation and competition with the West. China will probably become neither significantly more cooperative nor extremely uncooperative and/or belligerent toward the West; nor will it lapse into chaos and confusion as a result of domestic collapse or political fragmentation. Although policy continuity could pose significant challenges to Asia's security environment, the report argues that such challenges should prove manageable for the United States over the next 10-15 years. However, the report stresses that more adverse forms of Chinese external behavior could emerge during this period, largely associated with military intervention in politics or a major increase in the influence of ultra-conservative nationalistic sentiments upon foreign policy. To minimize the chances of such adversity, the report recommends that the United States strengthen and expand contacts with Chinese civilian and military leaders, avoid vaguely defined or broadly punitive economic or diplomatic actions against China, encourage more extensive and durable economic links with China that promote moderate growth, establish greater coordination and communication on China policy with regional allies and friends, and maintain current U.S. force levels in Asia.

Politics & Government.

What is pragmatism? Is it a means to an end, or an end in itself? Is it antithetical to ideology or morality? Arguing that pragmatism is a skill much more than an attribute, Phua examines how viewing it in this way can help achieve better foreign policy outcomes. He examines and contrasts the ways in which the United States, China and Singapore have incorporated pragmatism into their approaches to foreign policy. In doing so he debunks dualistic myths around pragmatism and ideology and promotes the view of pragmatism as a skill that can be developed. An essential primer for students, analysts and policymakers, with a fresh and practical approach to pragmatism.