China- Politics

Sources/Forms of power- Economic

Overall size of economy: 18.74 trillion approx in GDP for 2024

1. Cheap labour force: 

• Joined the WTO in 2001 led to rapid expansion of manufacturing sector

• Using cheap labour to become largest exporter in world

• Since 1979, China experienced the largest international migration in history (more than 200 million moved to join manufacturing industry, large labour force= more productivity

2. Growth of domestic economy: 

• Adopted reform to reduce reliance on exports/supply chains, stimulating domestic demand, prioritising technological manufacturing )leading exporter)

• Made in China Policy: 2015, to increase production in 10 high tech industries (invested US 300 billion) 3.

3. Foreign Direct Investment: Investment made by a firm/individual in one state to another (assets)

• Money brought in is used to develop businesses, provide jobs, leading to new skills in Chinese market

• China has the largest FDI recipient after US (based on 80% of china’s economy)

Sources/forms of power: Military

1. Armed Forces - People’s Liberation Army, aligned with CCP- 3rd most powerful armed force after US, Russia, largest standing military (approx 2.3 million)

Source: Budget for military in 2025, 246billion USD, 7.2 increase from coming year

• China plans to overtake the US navy in number of ships

2. South China Sea: Cluster of more than 100 small islands/ reefs, fishing grounds, oil/gas deposits, located near shipping lanes 

• China claims 90% of the SCS, according to 9 dash line map but this is argued against

• Woody island: Military base, deployed HQ 9 surface air missiles that can strike incoming missile, builds anti access zone to deter US from forces

• Second Thomas Shoal: Submerged reef, occupied by Phillipine navy 

• Paracel Islands: Claimed by China and Vietnam, in 1974, China occupied the island building a military installation

• Spratly islands: Divided between China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Phillipines, Brunei- Airstrips, naval bases, radar systems developed by China, oil and gas reserves, natural resources (fish)

Sources/forms of power: Cultural power

Utilisation of soft power to seem more attractive to other global actors

1. Confucius Institutes

• Educational/cultural programs to promote Chinese language/culture in schools and unis globally

• Offers language classes, organises cultural events, scholarships, study tours, ran by Chinese International education foundation

2. Panda Diplomacy

• Loans and gifts of panda’s to other countries to foster positive relationships

• eg. 2017: Sent Indonesia 2 panda’s to celebrate 60 years of bilateral ties

Sources/forms of power: Diplomatic

1. USNC Veto:

• Permanent member of United Nations (China. France, US, UK, Russia) right to unilaterally block an official action

• Exerted power through Taiwan being rejected UN membership min 15 times 

• eg. May 2022: Russia and China vetoed resolution that would have imposed sanctions on North Korea due to military programs (resolution aimed to reduce oil exports to NK

• Use of de facto veto power: Potential to use veto power to block actions that don’t support NI, Chins has prevented SCS from being completely claimed by other regions, competing claims

• China upholds non intervention and non interference in other’s affairs to ensure peaceful co existence

2. Belt and Road Initiative: Improve relations by connecting Asia with Africa and Europe through roads, railways, ports

• eg. Cambodia: Second belt and road forum on international co-operation, Cambodia and China signed 6 agreements to import 400,000 tons of Cambodian rice into China, 70% of roads/bridges in Cambodia are from Chinese funding

Sources/forms of power: Political

1. Chinese Communist Party: one of the largest political party with 90 million members -

2. China is a one party state, CCP has monoposlised control over citizens through the “socialism with Chinese characteristics” system

• Complete control of military, Xi Jinping is chairman of CCP

eg. 2017: CCP held 19th party congress, CCP delegates voted unanimously to change constitution altering presidential term limits (was 2 years) making XI president for life until he chooses

2. HONG KONG AND NATONAL SECURITY LAW

• June 2019: Hong Kong had large protest against a Chinese endorsed bill allowing the extradiction of accussed criminals from Hong Kong to trials in China

• Bill was withdrawn in Sept 2019, so China passed a law on 30 June 2020 to criminalise expression of differing opinion, adopting defs for crimes (terrorism, secession, collusion with foreign powers)- Allowed Beijing to establish security force in HK to influence selection of judges (to ensure stability after protest)- law eliminates forms of politcal opposition

General power defs

Military: Use of threat/force to achieve an interest through military forces

Economic: Use of payment or economic reward to achieve an interest such as aid, investment, trade

Diplomatic: use of international dialogue to achieve an interest such as speechs, international agreements, participation in intergovernmental forums

Politcal: use of state’s legislation to achieve an interest, laws may be administrative mechanisms or broad policies

Cultural: State’s cultural beliefs or practises to achieve an interest