China's Foreign Political and Economic Relations

An Unconventional Global Power

By (author) Sebastian Heilmann, Dirk H. Schmidt

Not available to order

Publication date:

09 January 2014

Length of book:

266 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

ISBN-13: 9781442213036

This balanced and thoughtful book presents a thorough analysis of the dynamics of China’s foreign relations. Sebastian Heilmann and Dirk H. Schmidt provide a comprehensive and discriminating view of the complex, often competing factors (domestic influences, regional tensions, global uncertainties) that shape Chinese foreign policy. They portray the PRC as a land of multiple identities—a nation that is becoming more assertive in East Asia as it explores novel approaches to its foreign economic policies, while simultaneously displaying thin-skinned sensitivities when confronted with international criticism. The authors argue that unconventional approaches to foreign relations—in particular a unique combination of long-term strategies with multilevel policy experiments—are driving Chinese global expansion. The provocative and challenging final chapter, designed to spur discussion, considers China’s imperial identity warring against the decentralized activities conducted in the “shadow of the empire.” Illicit transnational “guerilla-like” networks have thus become powerful driving forces behind the continued development of China’s foreign policy as well as its foreign-trade relations. The authors contend that the activities of these “niche nomads,” with their largely invisible or chameleon-like presence, constitute the most alarming dimension of China’s foreign relations as they gain ground and resources in many parts of the world with the potential to shake the very foundations of other societies.

Chapter 1: Introduction: What Does China Want?
Chapter 2: Foreign Policy Decision Making
Chapter 3: Reorientations in China’s Foreign Policy
Chapter 4: China's Security Policy
Chapter 5: China in the World Economy
Chapter 6: China’s Role in International Environmental and Climate Policy
Chapter 7: China and International Human Rights Policy
Chapter 8: The Taiwan Issue
Chapter 9: China’s Relations with Japan and Korea
Chapter 10: Sino-American Relations
Chapter 11: China’s Relations with Europe
Chapter 12: Empire and Guerrilla: China’s Multifaceted Foreign Relations
Sources and Literature
Appendix: Chinese-English Glossary

This superb review of China’s international relations and policy has astonishing breadth, covering security and economic dimensions as well as traditional foreign policy issues. The authors have packed in an enormous amount of material, and they do not pull any punches. The book presents the full scope of China’s rise and global ambitions, backed up with abundant documentation, in a clear and objective style that leaves readers free to draw their own conclusions. At the same time, the authors provide many fresh and unique insights into Chinese behavior and impacts. Accessible to those seeking an introduction to Chinese international policy, this volume will provide something new to even the most experienced reader.