China Engages The World: Multilateralism With Chinese Characteristics

A great deal has been written about the rise of China and specifically its unprecedented continued economic growth. Little has been said about the political reform which is reshaping China's foreign policies. Economics is driving China's rise and carries a far greater impact globally, so such a disparity is understood. However, as Beijing continues to assert itself politically, a greater understanding of how China is reshaping its approach to international politics is required. The premise of this thesis is that there are five characteristics China applies when dealing with nations multilaterally. The five characteristics are self-restraint, pragmatism, avoiding alliances, providing access to domestic markets, and avoiding making waves with its neighbors and regional powers. These five when combined together are uniquely Chinese.The international community faces a bit of a conundrum when it comes to China's rise. China's economy has helped fuel globalization and many of the world's top economies are now tied to that of China. Liberal theorists believe that further democratic reform in China will prevent conflict which historically accompanies the rise of a great power. Democratic peace theory has its merits, but there many who doubt Beijing's willingness to expand democratic reform. China is not a democracy, and realists predict that China's economic growth will fuel political rivalries and allow Beijing to challenge Washington's global influence. Such theorists as Stephen Walt draw comparisons to the U.S. Monroe Doctrine which allowed the U.S. to dominate the Western hemisphere and exclude the other great players. (Walt,2010)The world is not eager to see Beijing flex its economic or political muscles, yet when it comes to issues such as global warming and piracy, many would like to see China do more. China for its part views itself as a developing nation, with vast sections of the country still living well below the poverty line. The economic growth of the coastal regions cannot be ignored and has placed Beijing in the spotlight, perhaps before it was ready. Internal debate within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is not something one will find covered on CNN or any other media outlet. This makes understanding Chinese politics extremely difficult. Beijing has remained consistent in its five characteristics of multilateralism. Most important of which has been pragmatism. A pragmatic approach first opened China to economic reform under Deng Xiaoping. Incremental change sparked remarkable growth in the coastal regions of China. This same measured change now characterizes political reform. While many in the West would like to see deeper reform, specifically democratic reform, it is unrealistic to expect the CCP to expose itself to political competitors when there is underwhelming demand for democracy. The CCP is largely concerned with remaining in power, and it is this concern combined with pragmatism which drives increased participation in multilateral organizations and further political engagement.This thesis examines the characteristics of Chinese multilateralism through four examples:the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Six-party talks on North Korea, the expansion of the PLA Navy, and China's involvement in UN Peacekeeping Operations (UN PKO). These four cases provide a myriad of examples in how China has adopted its policies over the last two decades, and allow one to draw insight into how China might continue to evolve its foreign policies and ultimately what its end goal might be. Concern from regional neighbors and the U.S. warrants further investigation into Beijing's intentions. Is it really a peaceful rise? Or is Beijing biding its time until it has the necessary political and economic clout to impose its will particularly on its Asian neighbors? These questions fuel the ongoing debate on whether to contain or engage a rising China.There is no easy answer when it comes to this debate. Nor do I believe there is a right answer. Very little in life is black and white, but rather the answers lie in those shades of gray in between. Due to lack of transparency from Beijing, both politically and militarily, one is warranted in remaining suspicious about Beijing's intentions. However, in examining the case studies as well as delving further into Chinese history and culture, there seems to be little reason at this time to assume China seeks to replace the U.S. as a regional or global hegemon. That is not to say China would not welcome a diminished role for the U.S., which would allow China to occupy a larger role in the region. China remains primarily concerned with its own territorial integrity and sovereignty, and this concern carries over into its foreign policies. How China votes in the UN Security Council has more to do with these issues than economic ties or oil supply lines. Beijing remains wary of alliances which have victimized China in the past. As a result, it prefers to join organizations which are limited in scope and ambition, focusing on mutually exclusive arrangements which benefit each of the members equally. China relies heavily on the UN to authorize peacekeeping operations and interventions, and limits its forces in their ability to engage or intervene through force. Again, this gets back to China's emphasis on sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as self-restraint. China looks to the UN and other international laws as a means to keep global powers in check, and avoids setting precedents which might limit its interests in years to come.Beijing is very calculating and patient, which allows it to look far into the future and wait for change to come incrementally. This is one vast difference between Beijing and other Western nations, whose governments are subject to recall and must answer to their constituents about their performance. This makes applying Western IR theory and concepts difficult in China, and requires that scholars better understand the culture, the people, and those leaders who are charting China's path. Western nations must continue to find ways to engage China, as more and more the economies and futures of our nations are entwined. Until Beijing becomes more transparent, containment must also be considered by those governments who stand to lose interests and influence in the region. This misunderstanding and potential conflict can be resolved through communication and interaction. The expansion of the PLAN is just one example where increased contact with the West, without increased communication and understanding can lead to another aerial or naval incident such as the EP-3 collision near Hainan. Yet the lack of established institutions and organizations able to effectively address concerns over China's naval ambition is concerning. China's intention of not entering into alliances allows it to remain neutral and chart its own course, but also arouses suspicion and eliminates potential stabilizing mechanisms. Efforts such as the Six-party talks on Korea could expand to address regional military affairs. It is just one example of how a more proactive Beijing can avoid upsetting its neighbors with its ambition and growth, while at the same time taking on a more responsible role. China's rise is undeniable. Its intentions and the time-line in which it will assume a larger role, remains unclear.