An Orientation Analysis Of Confucian Ethics In The Morality Of Contemporary Chinese Diplomacy

It's difficult to make a moral choice in the area of diplomacy; however, diplomacy is usually made up of many moral choices. Morality factors are important dimensions of foreign policy, which are always closely related to a country's cultural tradition. Morality factors of contemporary Chinese diplomacy also show the influence of Chinese cultural tradition, especially the influence of Confucian ethics. Therefore, this study examines the moral factors of China's contemporary diplomacy, and hypothesizes that Confucian ethics shapes the moral considerations of China's contemporary diplomacy as a whole. For this purpose, we attempt to build a comprehensive and diversified moral system of pre-Qin Confucian thoughts. Using this traditional moral system, we assess the Confucian orientations and the possible forms of morality in contemporary Chinese diplomacy. The reason that we adopt pre-Qin Confucian moral thoughts is mainly because it was formed during the Spring & Autumn Warring States Period and its classic thinkers'such as Confucius and Mencius's original thoughts have been well preserved. Furthermore, the political system between states during the Spring & Autumn Warring States Period is most similar to stereotypical anarchy; therefore it has already manifested the nature of Inter-state moral thoughts. Thus it yields important implications for the study of morality and ethical issues of contemporary Chinese diplomacy.By investigating and expanding on both the ideal and practical aspects of contemporary Chinese diplomacy, this study systematically examine the features of the pre-Qin Confucian moral thoughts as reflected in contemporary Chinese diplomacy as a whole. To study the morality aspects of contemporary Chinese diplomacy from the perspective of pre-Qin Confucian moral thoughts system provides a better interpretation of the differences of the diplomatic strategies, ideas (such as the five principles of peaceful coexistence) and practices (such as Chinese Foreign Aid) of contemporary Chinese diplomacy. This study systematically analyzes the following issues:a) The holistic logic of pre-Qin ethics system; b) Historic review and general evaluation of the morality factors of Chinese diplomacy; c) To what extent do the morality factors of China's contemporary diplomacy manifest characteristics of Confucian ethics.This paper proposes a comprehensive and diversified moral ethics system, based on the holistic logics of pre-Qin Confucian thoughts. This system includes general norms about the purposes and means of morality, about the de facto and the normative, as well as the obligations and conscience. Also in the system are the trio ethic principles of benevolence, integrity and harmony, with dual ethic spirits of consideration and benevolence. Some intrinsic logical and philosophical common ground exists in between the three principles, which emphasize distinct facets for the motives, process and consequences of moral pratice. Each principle has rich moral contents. Specifically, benevolence stipulates love for others, care with things, benevolent acts of Confucius as well as loyalty and consideration for others. The integrity principle requires conformity to the rule of righteousness and the priority of integrity over interest. The principle of harmony, however, manifests itself as the ideal to maintain difference and harmony, featuring the value of pacifism.We evaluate and review the morality factors of Chinese diplomacy from an ideal and a practical angle. Via examinations from both aspects, we found the morality factors of Chinese diplomacy manifest features of Confucius ethics as a whole. Furthermore, we investigated the strength of Confucius impact on Chinese diplomacy. We unfold the analyses from two layers:On one hand, we analyzed the five principles of peaceful coexistence to some depth. As a guiding principle of China's diplomacy, this principle laid the foundation of Chinese diplomatic notions, and penetrated the different development phases of Chinese diplomacy. On the other hand, we studied three representative cases, which embody the three levels of the five principles of peaceful coexistence:namely, state sovereignty principle, economic principle, and international order. Specifically, the benevolence principle in the resolution of China-Myanmar border conflicts, the integrity orientation in China's International aids, and the harmony principle in China's nuclear strategy are elaborated.In conclusion, the morality factors of China's diplomacy reflect Confucian ethics to some extent and in certain aspects. However, as a whole, it mainly reflects the "Consideration for others" principle in pre-Qin Confucian thought system. These issues prompt us to further contemplate the role pre-Qin Confucius thought system plays in re-building China's diplomacy ethics, in the future. By nature, pre-Qin Confucius thought of integrity constitutes a strong integrity model. Recently, as China's economic power and national power ascend, should China's diplomacy accentuate the role of these ethical ideals to create a "strength and integrity" mode of diplomatic ethics? Our study supports this view, as it matches the internal logic of China's national growth and diplomatic transformation. More discussion and analyses are needed on this issue.