23 January 2015
New Trends in Chinese Foreign Policy
Executive Summary
On 28 November 2014, the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) organised a conference on the theme of “New Trends in Chinese Foreign Policy”. China’s emergence as an increasingly important global stakeholder has become clearer following the leadership transition since the 18th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Concurrently, China’s rise has also generated concerns amongst members of the international relations fraternity that the Asian giant may be moving away from keeping a low profile towards adopting an assertive stance in its foreign policy as evinced by its recent maritime behaviour.
The first panel addressed recent institutional developments within the Chinese political landscape, with a particular focus on the overhaul of both the civilian and military institutions that oversee China’s foreign policymaking. Under the 5th generation of leaders, considerable restructuring of the previous models under the Hu-Wen administration has been noted, with the formation of the National Security Commission (NSC) in November 2013 and the proliferation of Leading Small Groups (LSGs) – a host of which are personally led by Xi himself – having transformed the extant decision making polity on China’s foreign relations.
Panel Two focused on China’s important relations with the United States and Russia as well as the two other regional powers – Japan and India. In general, the presenters shared the opinion that China’s rise vis-à-vis the developmental trajectories of the countries concerned has led to greater complexities in their already intricate ties. Despite recent geopolitical trends having been transformed by the changing security dynamics in the Asia Pacific since the U.S. rebalance; recent leadership transitions in both Japan and India; and the political turmoil in Ukraine; the participants nevertheless expressed optimism that China’s relations with those powers should remain stable.
The next two panels addressed trends in China’s regional policy in Asia, specifically looking at China’s ties with its near neighbours on the Korean peninsula, the Central Asian republics and Southeast Asia. These relations are particularly significant in view of the initiatives that have recently been brought to the fore by Beijing; these include the new Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road as well as the newly established Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). In light of what has been described as a marked shift in Chinese behaviour over maritime claims, China’s strategic thinking with regard to its core national interests were also analysed and shown to reveal coherence and pattern in its activism.
The final panel evaluated the challenges confronting Chinese leaders in view of their country’s growing international footprint in global governance as Beijing grows into its role as an economic powerhouse and a significant military power. Apart from examining the background behind China’s acceptance (and rejection) of global norms within international institutions, the session also shed light on the increasing significance of information and communications technology (ICT) and cybersecurity on China’s domestic political stability, economic development and its foreign relations.
Executive Summary
On 28 November 2014, the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) organised a conference on the theme of “New Trends in Chinese Foreign Policy”. China’s emergence as an increasingly important global stakeholder has become clearer following the leadership transition since the 18th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Concurrently, China’s rise has also generated concerns amongst members of the international relations fraternity that the Asian giant may be moving away from keeping a low profile towards adopting an assertive stance in its foreign policy as evinced by its recent maritime behaviour.
The first panel addressed recent institutional developments within the Chinese political landscape, with a particular focus on the overhaul of both the civilian and military institutions that oversee China’s foreign policymaking. Under the 5th generation of leaders, considerable restructuring of the previous models under the Hu-Wen administration has been noted, with the formation of the National Security Commission (NSC) in November 2013 and the proliferation of Leading Small Groups (LSGs) – a host of which are personally led by Xi himself – having transformed the extant decision making polity on China’s foreign relations.
Panel Two focused on China’s important relations with the United States and Russia as well as the two other regional powers – Japan and India. In general, the presenters shared the opinion that China’s rise vis-à-vis the developmental trajectories of the countries concerned has led to greater complexities in their already intricate ties. Despite recent geopolitical trends having been transformed by the changing security dynamics in the Asia Pacific since the U.S. rebalance; recent leadership transitions in both Japan and India; and the political turmoil in Ukraine; the participants nevertheless expressed optimism that China’s relations with those powers should remain stable.
The next two panels addressed trends in China’s regional policy in Asia, specifically looking at China’s ties with its near neighbours on the Korean peninsula, the Central Asian republics and Southeast Asia. These relations are particularly significant in view of the initiatives that have recently been brought to the fore by Beijing; these include the new Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road as well as the newly established Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). In light of what has been described as a marked shift in Chinese behaviour over maritime claims, China’s strategic thinking with regard to its core national interests were also analysed and shown to reveal coherence and pattern in its activism.
The final panel evaluated the challenges confronting Chinese leaders in view of their country’s growing international footprint in global governance as Beijing grows into its role as an economic powerhouse and a significant military power. Apart from examining the background behind China’s acceptance (and rejection) of global norms within international institutions, the session also shed light on the increasing significance of information and communications technology (ICT) and cybersecurity on China’s domestic political stability, economic development and its foreign relations.
