International System And China's Foreign Relations: Historical Evolution And Contemporary Construction

This dissertation researches the historical evolution and contemporary construction between international system and China's foreign relations, regarding the changes of characteristic and position of system's actor as a standard which judges the changes of the system. The major research has two levels: international level, it researches the structure, process and historical evolution of China's international system; national level, it researches the position, policy, guidelines and characteristic of China's foreign relations. There are four periods in China's foreign relations.Firstly, the period of Tributary System. Tributary System started from Early Qing, formed from West Han, culminated with Tang and decayed with Maguan treaty. As a relatively closed regional system, there are other different regional systems existed, such as Ancient Greek City-state system, Arab Empire System and the Dark Ages System at the same time. The characters of Tributary System are the unification of Tian-xia and in and out orders in structures and degree of order and pacificatory in process. In Tributary System, Tian-xia doctrine was the position of China's foreign relations. peacefulness is prized,"tianzi shou zai siyi", and"with the use of culture to form Tian-xia"were the guidelines of China's foreign relations. North-south confrontation between northern nomad and southern Farming peoples and canonized and tributes between ancient China and tributary states were characteristics of China's foreign relations.Secondly, the period of Unequal Treaty System. Unequal Treaty System started from Opium War, formed from Tianjin Treaty and Beijing Treaty, and decayed with Maguan treaty. During the establishment of Unequal Treaty System, there were long struggle between Tributary System and national system and two kinds of contradictions resulted from invasion and resist, advanced and backward. In Unequal Treaty System, from Tian-xia doctrine to state was the position of China's foreign relations."West force invaded the East"and"Western Learning"were characteristics of China's foreign relations. From complying with treaty to amending, even abolishing it were the guidelines of China's foreign relations.Thirdly, the period of National System in Cold War. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, China entered upon a new historical stage. At the same time, international system was split into two different political camps, in which East-West competition and balances had become the main characteristics of this system. During the Cold War, from withstanding to entering was the position of China's foreign relations. From leaning to one side to fighting with two fists and later being one's own master were policies of China's foreign relations. From revolution to pragmatic diplomacy were the guidelines of China's foreign relations.Fourthly, the period of national System in Post cold War. After the radical changes happened in former Soviet Union and East Europe, international system entered upon globalization age. At the same time, the following items not only challenge national system, but also make China confront great opportunities and challenges: the rising of Non-state actors, the emerging of global civil society, the sprouting of global governance and the reinforcing of international law. After thirty years'Reform and Opening Up, it is very difficult for China to maintain its status of a developing country. China is not just a discommender or participator, but a constructer in international system. China should actively shoulder responsibilities of great power diplomacy and play a great role in international system, vigorously promote multilateral diplomacy and improve capacity of participation and the creation of international agenda .Meanwhile, China should launch multi-depth foreign affairs and put civil society into vision in foreign policy and platform.