China's Foreign Policy

China foreign policy is based on the concept of soft power. In other words, they spread their influence peacefully, without any major military conflicts in the last 100 years. In the last 9 years alone, US is involved in 2 military conflicts: Afghanistan and Iraqi War, more news on those conflict later. Back to soft power. The concept was developed by Joseph S. Nye, Jr., former Assistant Secretary of Defense and Dean of Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.


China's Soft Power Key points:

· soft power is an alternative to hard (military power)
· China primary goal is simply to maintain peace on its periphery, that allows china’s economy to grow.
· China uses its soft power to push Japan, Taiwan and even United States out or regional influence.
· China’s soft power – ability to influence by persuasion rather than coercion include economic measures, culture, as well as investment and aid. Ex, Cambodian students attend Chinese – language schools that receive assistance from Mainland China sources. Universities will enroll over 120,000 foreign students,
· Soft power can be “high” directed at elites, and “low” directed at broader public
· At high level, Beijing has increased influenced over leaders in less democratic nations. At low level, in places like Philippines leader can move closer to china since the public supports warming relations
· China is a rising hegemon in East Asia with hegemonic aspirations
· China crafted more nuanced strategy reinforcing the concept of peaceful development. Secondly, china establish institutes and language schools as leading South East Asian universities.
· In order to counterbalance China power Us is trying to ally with India (military alliance)
· As a part of their soft power China promotes Beijing Consensus, Chinese model for development. (china was able to maintain political dictatorship, and still have marketing economy). Model is tied to Chinese’s aid packages. China promise it won’t interfere in other countries domestic issues, “win-win” situation, china is only interested in resources. Ex. China get oil from Sudan, in exchange China does not care about mass genocide in Darfur. China wiped out all of Africa’s loans. In return, they signed minerals deals, which gave china opportunity to extract resources on favorable contracts)
· China in order to expand it influence peacefully in Central Asia, created, Shanghai Cooperative Organization. Designed as self help org, features three major oil countries form Central Asia.
· Disputes over Diaoyu islands between Japan and China may cause abandon of China’s soft power and use of military. Secondly, Taiwan is another example. China would not accept Taiwan movement to establish republic of Taiwan. US has defense treaty with Taiwan to prevent Chinese takeover.




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