China's Foreign Policy Essay Example

The purpose of this briefing is further to explain the nation of China's foreign policies. These are policies in which we must uphold when dealing with the countries of the world. After the founding of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 1949, interactions on the world stage were and are crucial to our development. Virtus of the Chinese people and Communist ideologies have and will be the forefront of policy brought forward. The work done internationally will benefit China domestically. Though seemingly straight forward our strategies are complex and non-traditional in the usual policy adaptations. We, of course, deal within our region of the world in South East Asia with land and power struggles and lead various campaigns around the globe within third world nations. Within the decisions dealing with land disputes, the South China Sea disputes, and even asserting dominance globally, the CCP promotes an authoritarian one-party state capable of dramatic power.

The nation of China is enormous, and of the fourteen bordering countries, nine have land disputes. Most notably with India to the South and Mongolia to the North. Though the Mongolian conflict is not escalated and poses domestic issues, we may digress from discourse on that topic for now. Currently, there has been more significant contention at the China-India border within the Tibet Autonomous Region. On June 15th, 2021, there was a clash between forces within the Galway Valley; no shots were reported (BBC). With only casualties on the Indian side and zero recorded on our end, this was the first death since 1975. Afterward, tensions remained high, and standoffs continued in the contested land area. There is an agreement from 1996 that no guns nor explosives may be used at the border, yet there are occurrences of shots. This situation requires a range of procedures to control the region from escalating and a dominating position to proceed positively for China's long-term goals.

Defense spending is one of the most direct ways of measuring a country's potential military capability. China's nominal spending as of 2019 was 266.4 billion USD, approximately quadruple the second-highest spending in India (SIPRI). With only 70.8 billion USD reported, we are outspending and can hold back Indian troops. It is now a fact of tactfully utilizing the already present hard powers but skillfully administering the soft powers. India has a conflict of interest in various denominations that require our cooperation. Such as Beijing's collaboration in putting pressure on Pakistan-based terrorist groups within the region and admission to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). We have a high ground in negotiating and will not be flexible outside our terms. To remain strong in this conflict is of the Chinese people's and nations' interest.

Longstanding geopolitical, ethnic, and economic ties have shaped our policy in the region. Author Bill Hayton once wrote 'In our era, what happens in the South China Sea will define the future (Zhou 2018). There are contest shipping lanes, energy resources, and fishing areas for grabs within this vital sea. Previously only clashing with Vietnam, the competition is now amongst the Japanese, Philippines, Malays, and more (Zhou 2018). We must instill our presence in the area and control complete dominance. We have done with in the past through building islands and placing military bases crossing some international borders. Luckily for us, many of these borders have been contested for centuries, and with this gray area, China can attempt to push back any foreign adversaries. While this is a seemingly regional issue, the likes of the United States are increasing its resistance in the area in retaliation. Keeping our aggressiveness and increase of power controlled will help negate any tensions that may arise within the US. However, this needs diplomacy and crucial improvement of South China Sea movements.

Secondly is our foreign policy in regards to third world nations. Increasing interests in protecting our overseas interests and the international image were partly caused by by-election into the UN. The need to save third-world nations has become a decisive factor in the equation of Chinese foreign policy (Ghiselli 2021). This mainly rooted in the Civil War fought in Libya, where China needed to evacuate thousands of nationals—causing the policy to be affected by countries far from our neighborhood in Asia. As you have stated, President Xi, protecting China's overseas interests is a vital part of the efforts to defend the country's economic development and national security. To support one thing, we then continue to grow as a nation. China's ability to balance military and diplomacy proves that it can focus not only on domestic frontiers but also on far-reaching ones. China has implemented new policies such as lending loans out to developing nations. As of 2018, $101.7 billion was spread out to 68 countries. China's loan policy is geared to replace the existing political, military, and economic dimensions of the western democratic order (Franklin 2020). We assert our dominance over the west by proving ourselves wealthy and robust enough to support these failing third-world donations. Already resenting the west or have been left out of the western sphere of influence, we can step in and increase diplomacy and favorability. Most of these nations are in Africa, and we sponsor various infrastructure projects that boost the economy. 

We are progressing from a closed-off impoverished nation destined to fail to a feared powerhouse. Through the late president, Deng Xiao Pings, opening-up policies and step onto the global stage. Many scholars represent our three great leaders as different steps of China's evolution. From "standing up" under Mao, "getting rich" with Deng, and finally, China is "gaining strength" through your political brilliance, Mr. Xi. (Viswanath 2020). Our nation boosts our strength and stability through long-term planning, such as the Two centenary Goals (2021). Even though these goals are exclusively domestic policies to be implemented, such as the recent poverty alleviation campaign, external challenges present obstructions—for example, climate change and effects of tariffs and sanctions on the economy.

Finally is our foreign policy in handling the United States. The US has become a complex adversary on the world stage, and the relationship is uncertain. Diplomacy and tensions go through highs and lows and usually through the means of economic competition and retaliation. For example, there is still some lingering resentment toward the Trump Administration due to the ongoing trade war. Where imports into China fell 23 percentage points from 2018 to 2019 (UNCTAD). While China loses out on economic gain, other nations prosper and grow. The CCP allows the world to create improvements off our losses. While our trade levels dropped and our citizens paid higher prices, governments worldwide gained billions, such as European Union exports earning $2.7 billion or Mexico's exports increasing 3.5 billion, all at the cost of the Chinese people (UNCTAD). The only means I recommend dealing with this situation are pure soft powers and diplomacy. While China is equipped and trained for war, this is not in the party's best interest. Through our decades of diplomacy and work within intergovernmental organizations, China has created some leverage while working internationally. Our foreign minister, Wang Yi, recently asked President Joe Biden to restart negotiations with China to remove tariffs and sanctions (Hsu 2021). Perhaps we should work with President Biden directly on the international climate summit and create a favorable environment for consultations. Chairman Xi, for the legitimacy of our party's strength and integrity of our people, this trade war must be abolished.

Thank you for your time Chairman Xi, and I hope a greater understanding of the scope of our foreign policy was reached. Our geopolitical, ethnic, and economic relations in the area have truly shaped our policies. For example, land disputes with India and struggles over resources in the South China Sea. Both need to be handled with a mix of hard and soft powers to keep tensions from bubbling over. Furthermore, with China's rise to power and influence, we have broadened our diplomacy and foreign ties. Of course, with regional policies still in mind, China is capable of spreading resources to third-world nations building their economies. Finally is the importance of our approach in regards to the United States. While the previous conflicts involved a combination of the United States, we need to remain cautious. The trade war and heightened observers of China's actions need to be negated and put to an end. We are only using diplomacy to gain the nation's favor to continue our rise to power and control of the region. In turn, all these policies create the most suitable environment for domestic prosperity and party assets. The understanding of the CCP will remain resilient and powerful by the Chinese people and the world.