China's Foreign Policy Changes

The needs of states can be reflected in policies. Foreign policies are what policy-makers choose in face of needs of states and real environment. The so called "system" and "state" are by nature the abstract conception of political interest and reality. It is citizens that make "system" or "state" functional and lead the domestic development. The status of a state originates from civil needs which decide how the state will play in international relations. The foreign policies change in accordance with domestic needs and seek for certain balance.This paper is written according to the hierarchy of needs: survival needs, safety needs, needs of development and belongings and needs of esteem. Some adjustments are necessary when applying the hierarchy of needs on a state. Firstly, beside fundamental materials for survival, a state needs a government. Secondly, safety needs are closely related to survival needs. In most cases, frustration of either of the two needs cause similar reactions. Thirdly, the transition from safety needs to needs of belongings can be changeable according to satisfaction of the lower needs and historical memories. Finally, the needs of esteem is hardly be realized on national level because the international system changes far speedier than the national needs do and states may have setbacks to the lower needs which must be regained.China's foreign policies are made according to the alternation of needs in a logical way. Currently, China is raising its needs to esteem together with the need of development. As long as China can meet its needs, there will be no need to fear China becoming hegemony. China does not grow to defeat any state. Conflicts may exist between China's needs and those of other states, however, all sides including China are supposed to gain mutual understanding and reduce disagreement instead of suspecting and causing all-side loss.