China is one of the oldest countries in the world. The preservation of their territories is the result of centuries-old traditions. China, whose foreign policy has unique features, consistently defends its interests and at the same time skillfully builds relations with neighboring states. Today, this country is confidently claiming world leadership, and this has become possible, among other things, thanks to the “new” foreign policy. The three largest states on the planet - China, Russia, the United States - are currently the most important geopolitical force, and the position of the Celestial Empire in this triad looks very convincing.
History of China's foreign relations
For three millennia, China, whose border even today includes historical territories, has existed as a major and important power in the region. This vast experience in establishing relationships with a variety of neighbors and consistently defending one's own interests is creatively applied in the country's modern foreign policy.
China's international relations have been shaped by the nation's general philosophy, which is largely based on Confucianism. According toAccording to Chinese views, the true ruler considers nothing external, therefore international relations have always been considered as part of the internal policy of the state. Another feature of the ideas about statehood in China is that, according to their views, the Celestial Empire has no end, it covers the whole world. Therefore, China thinks of itself as a kind of global empire, the “Middle State”. China's foreign and domestic policy is based on the main position - Sinocentrism. This easily explains the rather active expansion of the Chinese emperors in different periods of the country's history. At the same time, Chinese rulers have always believed that influence is much more significant than power, so China has established special relations with its neighbors. Its penetration into other countries is connected with the economy and culture.
Until the middle of the 19th century, the country existed within the framework of the imperial ideology of Greater China, and only the European invasion forced the Celestial Empire to change its principles of relations with neighbors and other states. In 1949, the People's Republic of China is proclaimed, and this leads to significant changes in foreign policy. Although socialist China declared partnerships with all countries, the world was gradually divided into two camps, and the country existed in its socialist wing, together with the USSR. In the 1970s, the PRC government changes this distribution of power and declares that China is between superpowers and third world countries, and that the Celestial Empire will never want to become a superpower. But by the 80s, the concept of "three worlds" began to givefailures - a "coordinate theory" of foreign policy appears. The rise of the United States and its attempt to create a unipolar world has led China to announce a new international concept and its new strategic course.
The "new" foreign policy
In 1982, the country's government proclaims a "new China", which exists on the principles of peaceful coexistence with all states of the world. The country's leadership skillfully establishes international relations within the framework of its doctrine and at the same time respects its interests, both economic and political. At the end of the 20th century, there is an increase in the political ambitions of the United States, which feel like the only superpower that can dictate its own world order. This does not suit China, and, in the spirit of the national character and diplomatic traditions, the country's leadership does not make any statements and changes its line of conduct. The successful economic and domestic policy of China brings the state to the rank of the most successfully developing at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries. At the same time, the country diligently avoids joining any of the parties to the numerous geopolitical conflicts of the world and tries to protect only its own interests. But increased pressure from the United States sometimes forces the country's leadership to take various steps. In China, there is a separation of such concepts as state and strategic borders. The former are recognized as unshakable and inviolable, while the latter, in fact, have no limits. This is the sphere of interests of the country, and it extends to almost all corners of the globe. This concept of strategic boundaries isthe basis for modern Chinese foreign policy.
Geopolitics
At the beginning of the 21st century, the planet is covered by the era of geopolitics, i.e. there is an active redistribution of spheres of influence between countries. Moreover, not only superpowers, but also small states that do not want to become raw materials appendages to developed countries declare their interests. This leads to conflicts, including armed ones, and alliances. Each state is looking for the most beneficial way of development and line of conduct. In this regard, the foreign policy of the People's Republic of China could not help but change. In addition, at the present stage, the Celestial Empire has gained significant economic and military power, which allows it to claim more weight in geopolitics. First of all, China began to oppose the maintenance of a unipolar model of the world, it advocates multipolarity, and therefore, willy-nilly, it has to face a conflict of interests with the United States. However, the PRC is skillfully building its own line of conduct, which, as usual, is focused on defending its economic and domestic interests. China does not directly claim dominance, but is gradually pursuing its "quiet" expansion of the world.
Foreign policy principles
China declares that its main mission is to maintain world peace and support the development of all. The country has always been a supporter of peaceful coexistence with its neighbors, and this is the basic principle of the Celestial Empire in building international relations. In 1982In 1999, the country adopted the Charter, which fixed the basic principles of China's foreign policy. There are only 5 of them:
- the principle of mutual respect for sovereignty and state borders;
- principle of non-aggression;
- the principle of non-interference in the affairs of other states and non-admission of interference in the internal politics of one's own country;
- principle of equality in relationships;
- the principle of peace with all the states of the planet.
Later, these basic postulates were deciphered and adjusted to the changing world conditions, although their essence remained unchanged. The modern foreign policy strategy assumes that China will contribute in every possible way to the development of a multipolar world and the stability of the international community.
The state proclaims the principle of democracy and respects the differences of cultures and the right of peoples to self-determination of their own path. The Celestial Empire also opposes all forms of terrorism and in every possible way contributes to the creation of a fair economic and political world order. China seeks to establish friendly and mutually beneficial relations with its neighbors in the region, as well as with all countries of the world.
These basic postulates are the basis of China's policy, but in each individual region in which the country has geopolitical interests, they are implemented in a specific strategy for building relationships.
China and the US: partnership and confrontation
The relationship between China and the United States has a long and complicated history. These countries have been inlatent conflict, which was associated with America's opposition to the Chinese communist regime and with the support of the Kuomintang. The reduction of tensions begins only in the 70s of the 20th century, diplomatic relations between the United States and China were established in 1979. For a long time, the Chinese army was ready to defend the country's territorial interests in the event of an attack by America, which considered China its enemy. In 2001, the US Secretary of State said that she did not consider China an adversary, but a competitor in economic relations, which meant a change in policy. America could not ignore the rapid growth of the Chinese economy and its military buildup. In 2009, the United States even proposed to the head of the Celestial Empire to create a special political and economic format - G2, an alliance of two superpowers. But China refused. He often disagrees with the policies of the Americans and is unwilling to take some of the responsibility for them. The volume of trade between states is constantly growing, China is actively investing in American assets, all this only reinforces the need for partnerships in politics. But the United States periodically tries to impose its scenarios of behavior on China, to which the leadership of the Celestial Empire reacts with sharp resistance. Therefore, relations between these countries constantly balance between confrontation and partnership. China says it is ready to be "friends" with the United States, but will not allow their interference in its politics in any case. In particular, the fate of the island of Taiwan is a constant stumbling block.
China and Japan: difficult neighborly relations
The relationship of two neighborsoften accompanied by serious disagreements and strong influence on each other. From the history of these states, there are several serious wars (7th century, late 19th and mid-20th centuries), which had serious consequences. In 1937 Japan attacked China. She was strongly supported by Germany and Italy. The Chinese army was significantly inferior to the Japanese, which allowed the Land of the Rising Sun to quickly capture large northern territories of the Celestial Empire. And today, the consequences of that war are an obstacle to the establishment of more friendly relations between China and Japan. But these two economic giants are now too closely linked in trade relations to allow themselves to clash. Therefore, the countries are moving towards a gradual rapprochement, although many contradictions remain unresolved. For example, China and Japan will not come to an agreement on several problem areas, including Taiwan, which does not allow the countries to get much closer. But in the 21st century, relations between these Asian economic giants have become much warmer.
China and Russia: friendship and cooperation
Two huge countries located on the same mainland, simply cannot help but try to build friendly relations. The history of interaction between the two countries has more than 4 centuries. During this time there were different periods, good and bad, but it was impossible to break the connection between the states, they were too closely intertwined. In 1927, official relations between Russia and China were interrupted for several years, but at the end of the 1930s, ties began to be restored. After World War II, China comes to powerCommunist leader Mao Zedong begins close cooperation between the USSR and China. But with N. Khrushchev coming to power in the USSR, relations deteriorated, and only thanks to great diplomatic efforts could they be improved. With perestroika, relations between Russia and China are warming significantly, although there are contentious issues between the countries. At the end of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st century, China is becoming the most important strategic partner for Russia. At this time, trade relations are intensifying, the exchange of technologies is growing, and political agreements are being concluded. Although China, as usual, first of all looks after its interests and steadily defends them, and Russia sometimes has to make concessions to its big neighbor. But both countries understand the importance of their partnership, so today Russia and China are great friends, political and economic partners.
China and India: strategic partnership
These two largest Asian countries have more than 2,000 years of relationship. The modern stage began in the late 40s of the 20th century, when India recognized the PRC and established diplomatic contacts with it. There are border disputes between states, which hinders greater rapprochement between states. However, the economic Indian-Chinese relations are only improving and expanding, which entails the warming of political contacts. But China remains true to its strategy and does not concede in its most important positions, carrying out a quiet expansion, primarily to the markets of India.
China and South America
Sucha major power like China has interests all over the world. Moreover, not only the closest neighbors or countries of equal level, but also very remote regions fall into the field of influence of the state. Thus, China, whose foreign policy differs significantly from the behavior of other superpowers in the international arena, has been actively seeking common ground with the countries of South America for many years. These efforts are successful. True to its policy, China concludes cooperation agreements with the countries of this region and actively establishes trade relations. Chinese business in South America is associated with the construction of roads, power plants, oil and gas production, and developing partnerships in the field of space and automotive.
China and Africa
The Chinese government is pursuing the same active policy in African countries. The PRC is making serious investments in the development of the states of the "black" continent. Today, Chinese capital is present in the mining, manufacturing, military industries, in the construction of roads and industrial infrastructure. China adheres to a de-ideologized policy, observing its principles of respect for other cultures and partnership. Experts note that Chinese investment in Africa is already so serious that it is changing the economic and political landscape of the region. The influence of Europe and the United States on African countries is gradually decreasing, and thus the main goal of China is being realized - the multipolarity of the world.
China and Asia
China, as an Asian country, pays a lot of attention to neighboring states. However, in foreign policythe stated basic principles are consistently implemented. Experts note that the Chinese government is extremely interested in a peaceful and partner neighborhood with all Asian countries. Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan are areas of special attention for China. There are many problems in this region that have become more acute with the collapse of the USSR, but China is trying to resolve the situation in its favor. The PRC has made significant progress in establishing relations with Pakistan. Countries are jointly developing a nuclear program, which is very scary for the US and India. Today, China is negotiating the joint construction of an oil pipeline to provide China with this valuable resource.
China and North Korea
An important strategic partner of China is the closest neighbor - the DPRK. The leadership of the Celestial Empire supported North Korea in the war in the middle of the 20th century and always expressed its readiness to provide assistance, including military assistance, if necessary. China, whose foreign policy is always aimed at protecting its interests, is looking for a reliable partner in the Far East region in the face of Korea. Today, China is the largest trading partner of the DPRK, and relations between the countries are developing positively. For both states, partnerships in the region are very important, so they have excellent prospects for cooperation.
Territorial conflicts
Despite all the diplomatic skill, China, whose foreign policy is distinguished by subtlety and good thought, does notcan solve all international problems. The country has a number of disputed territories that complicate relations with other countries. A sore subject for China is Taiwan. For more than 50 years, the leadership of the two Chinese republics has not been able to resolve the issue of sovereignty. The leadership of the island has been supported by the US government for all years, and this does not allow to resolve the conflict. Another unsolvable problem is Tibet. China, whose border was determined in 1950, after the revolution, believes that Tibet has been part of the Celestial Empire since the 13th century. But indigenous Tibetans, led by the Dalai Lama, believe they have a right to sovereignty. China is pursuing a tough policy towards the separatists, and so far no solution to this problem is in sight. There are territorial disputes with China and with Turkestan, with Inner Mongolia, Japan. The Celestial Empire is very jealous of its lands and does not want to make concessions. As a result of the collapse of the USSR, China was able to get part of the territories of Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
