1 of 10

Foreign Policy of China: Major determinants and Objectives

Dr Punita Pathak

2 of 10

Introduction

  • Before the 2nd world war, china was considered as the ‘Sick Man of Asia’.
  • China was included in the 2nd rank nations of the world.
  • In 20th century, Sanyat Sen’s leadership- Emerged as a powerful party in China- To end the foreign exploitation- Overall development of china.
  • After Sanyat Sen- His party was divided into two groups- Nationalist and Communist and there was conflict between both and the communist group became the conqueror.
  • 1st Oct 1949- Establishment of communist china and after the Communist revolution China emerged as a super power.
  • Chayang- Kai- Shek ( Nationalist Group)- Went for Formosa Island and formed the Exile Nationalist government there.

3 of 10

  • USA and UNO gave recognition to this Nationalist China in western politics, on 26th oct 1971, Communist China got recognition at world level and also entitled with the membership of ‘P5’ (UNSC).�
  • Change in the status of China
  • Impact on USA
  • Emergence of new balance of power

​

Determining factors of the foreign policy of china

​

  1. Mao’s believe in power (power flows from the barrel of gun)
  2. Communism (expansion of ideology)
  3. Pro Nationalism
  4. National Interest
  5. Policy to emerge as a world power

​

4 of 10

Means of Chinese foreign policy

  1. Use of military power

​

  • Expansion of communism

​

  • Peaceful co-existence

​

  • Policy against capitalism

​

​

​

5 of 10

Main stages of development

  1. Era of internal reconstruction (1949-1953)
  2. Policy of peaceful co-existence (1954-1957)

Geneva Convention- signed in 1956 (1954, Laos-Cambodia- India)

  1. Era of new radical and revolutionary policies (1958-1962)

​

On 8th November 1957 Mao talked about East Wind ( Socialism) and West Wind (Capitalism) on the occasion of Moscow’s 40th anniversary.

​

6 of 10

A rigid approach had been adopted during the Lebanon crisis(1958) and Laos crisis ( 1959)

In 1959, china also demolished the autonomy of Tibet and Dalai Lama had to come India for political shelter

​

  1. Era of the adoption of policy of terror and violence (1963-1970)

In 1963 Chau En lai visited Algeria, Ghana, Sudan, Mali, Guinea, Ethiopia etc . In 1964 Pakistan, Myanmar and Sri Lanka to expand the Chinese influence and ideology and to contain the influence US and USSR.

In 1964 China helped revolutionaries in Zambia, in 1965 china supported Pakistan in the IndoPak war. In 1965 supported revolutionaries in Indonesia. In 1969 china was also involved in boarder dispute with USSR.

​

  1. Era of cooperation and fraternity (1971- Till date)

7 of 10

America and China Relationship

  • In 1950-1953 Korean crisis
  • In 1971- USA gave recognition to China
  • American foreign policy, to create balance in Asia and for this purpose they maintained a friendly relationship with china.
  • In 1972 Nixon visited to china, in 1989 George Bush Sr. went to Peking.
  • China also supported US on Kuwait issue.
  • Ziang Zhemin in 1997 visited America, in 1998 Clinton visited China.
  • Spy plane crisis of 2001- Again the relation became sour between both but had been resolved.
  • COVID-19 Issue

8 of 10

China and USSR

  • In 1957 the relation between both was harmonious, but since 1958 the relation between both had been deteriorated because of several issues such as

Tibet issue

Invasion on India

when Yugoslavia became the part of USSR and

Border dispute

But after the death of Mao (1976) and end of cold war the relationships improved.

In 1997, Boris Yelstein visited china and also solved the 399 years old border dispute.

In 2002, a team visited china and also signed a treaty with Xiang Zhemein to improve the bilateral relations

​

9 of 10

India and China Relation

  1. Geo-strategic reason (Pakistan)
  2. Boarder dispute
  3. Tibet issue
  4. Doklam issue
  5. One china policy
  6. UNSC, demand for permanent membership

10 of 10

Main objectives of China’s foreign policy�

  1. Maintaining Independence
  2. Firm believe in world peace
  3. Supporter of peaceful coexistence
  4. To maintain harmonious relation with neighboring and ally nations
  5. Opening policy
  6. Rising China (a challenge to US hegemony)