New Progresses In Constructing Chinese International Relations Theory:Relationality And Tianxia

For the past few years, some new progresses have been achieved in constructing a Chinese IR theory. By giving detailed introduction and evaluation to the researches of Qin Yaqing and Zhao Tingyang, which has been regarded as the most prominent works among Chinese scholars’ efforts in constructing a Chinese IR theory, this paper tries to explain the pivotal role of the "Historical Turn" in Chinese IR study that attempts to find theoretical sources in traditional Chinese ideas. On this basis, the author’s viewpoints on the "Theoretical Possible Space" and "Theoretical Fundamental Problem" of the construction of Chinese IR theory will be offered. The author holds that "Process and Relationality" is the "Theoretical Possible Space" and stresses the key importance of "Theoretical Fundamental Problem" in constructing Chinese IR theory. Answering the "Theoretical Fundamental Problem" that is "China’s Rise" will give birth to real Chinese IR theory. To achieve which, "the Historical Turn of Chinese IR Study" with "Relationality" and "Tianxia" as two notable research findings so far is a hopeful approach.