State study: China

What does the region of the indopacific encompass?

60% of the world’s population and GDP, five of the world’s largest economies, 8 of the 10 largest armies in the world.

security

Refers to the need for a state to ensure its continued survival, including concerns such as territorial integrity and protecting a state from external threats. An example of a state ensuring its security against a perceived threat is China ‘deradicalising’ the Uyghurs as they allege that their existence in Xingjiang is a threat to the existence of Han chinese people.

economic prosperity

Relates to the desire for states to generate wealth. EG. China investing into green energy and renewables to be able to dominate the market of renewable technology, such as that of Electric Vehicles (EV’s), subsequently aiming to overtake companies such as Tesla in the process.

regional relationships

States value positive relationships with their neighbours, mostly because of its flow-on impact for national security and economic prosperity. Eg. The BRI project was created for China to be able to expand its regional relationships through economic aid.

regional standing

The overall perception of the state among actors in the region. Eg. The south china sea issue is important to China’s regional standing.

military power

The use of threat of force to achieve an interest, in most cases, carried out by the state’s military. Eg. Chinese military ships being used to intimidate Filipino fishing boats out of the south china sea to assert their sovereignty over it.

economic power

The use of payment or economic reward to achieve an interest. Eg. China donating over 20 billion USD to

Diplomatic power

The use of international dialogue to achieve an interest. Eg. China's use of trade accompanied with economic incentives were used to switch the recognition of states such as Nauru and Solomon Islands.

Political power

The use of a states legislation to achieve an interest. Eg. China utilising legislation to prevent Uyghurs from practising or passing down their culture.

Cultural power

The export of a state's cultural beliefs or practices to achieve an interest. Eg. China's use of mask Diplomacy and panda Diplomacy to strengthen regional relationships (more recently in July, Albanese's visit to China resulted in a gift of two new pandas to Australia)

Hard power

Coercive, threatening.

Soft power

Diplomatic, persuading.

Foreign policy instruments

Diplomacy, trade, foreign aid.

How can the current international order be characterised?

High degree of global interconnectedness, a ‘rules based order’, promotion of liberalism.

Examples of China's aggressive actions in pursuit of national interests

Increasing military presence in south china sea, increased threats towards Taiwan, implementing authoritarian laws in Hong Kong and Xingjiang, cyberattacks and intellectual theft from Western corporations, diplomatic support to authoritarian regimes, imposing trade restrictions on Australia, wolf warrior Diplomacy.

quote proving china’s desire to become a global power

“…The chinese people have become the masters of their future, the Chinese nation has achieved the great transformation from standing up and growing prosperous to becoming strong, and China’s national rejuvenation has become a historical inevitability.”

source of economic power

-developments in the global economy since the 1990’s

-joining the WTO in the early 2000’s

-use of cheap labour to become the largest exporter in the worl

-GDP growth of 9% per year between 2000-2019

-second largest GDP in the world

source of military power

-military buildup in south china sea

-intimidation of Taiwan using airspace

-incarceration of the uyghurs

national interest of security (Taiwan)

-key element of China’s ‘national rejuvenation’ project

-CCP considers there to be ‘one China’, encompassing both China and Taiwan, with CCP governing

-majority of the world recognises the PRC, as it is a prerequisite for doing business with China

-however, western states maintain informal relations with Taiwan despite a lack of recognition

-US maintains strategic ambiguity

-Taiwan’s use of democracy is resistance to the ‘One China’ goal

-China has used military actions to intimidate Taiwan

diplomatic isolation of Taiwan

-both PRC and ROC have campaigned to be internationally recognised

-In 2024, the PRC encouraged Nauru to internationally recognise mainland China rather than Taiwa, as well as Kiribati and the Soloman islands in 2019

-These deals are often accompanied by economic incentives eg. the switch of recognition by Nauru was incentivised by a 125 million investment deal over several years

-Solomon islands was also given financial aid to switch recognition to the PRC

-Taiwan was denied WHO membership in 2023, after claims ofChina influencing top WHO officials, as well as interpol

-delegitimises their claim to sovereignty and establishes the idea of PRC being the only representative of China

Uyghurs