Chinese Foreign Policy Midterm
cooperation with Indonesia:
$21.7 billion Chinese investment in Indonesia to strengthen countries' economic and political ties. Indonesia wants a larger role in supplying nickel and other raw materials for China's fast-growing electric car makers. Nickel smelting plants in Indonesia are part of China's Belt and Road transnational development program.
China Military:
- China is now the second biggest spender in the world on military Hypersonic missiles Hard to detect and can travel more than 5 times the speed of sound Build a global military network PLA campaign to build at least 5 overseas bases and 10 logistical support sites by 2030 Advancing aircraft carriers Preparing for far-sea operations
US-China trade war
1. Massive trade deficit between the U.S. and China due to corporate labor outsourcing; current trade deficit stands at $222.6 billion. 2. China is the number 1 holder of U.S. debt, artificially keeping U.S. interest rates low, and keeping the Yuan -> USD exchange rate stable 3. Tariffs and trade disputes have resulted in large amounts of territorial, political, and military tensions between U.S. and China- outcomes result in unemployment, higher trade prices, and cut off routes. The Trump administration imposed tariffs on a wide range of Chinese goods, leading to retaliatory measures from China. This trade dispute escalated due to concerns about China's unfair trade practices, including intellectual property theft and subsidies to Chinese industries.
Belt and Road Initiative
A global development strategy adopted by the Chinese government involving infrastructure development and investments in more than 150 countries and international organizations in Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas. Geopolitical tool Launched in 2013, Xi Jinping's signature foreign policy initiative Seeking new markets; contributing to the Global South, cementing ties Global public good or "exploitative"; lack of transparency; Env costs
China Ensuring stable economic growth
Bank of China cuts rates to stimulate economy China's central bank cut reserve requirement ratio Sending message that it is trying to tackle challenges and boost economic recovery
US trying deepen ties with strings of islands in South Pacific:
Because China hopes to project military power in this region. US-Pacific Islands Forum Summit President Biden hosted the first ever U.S.- Pacific Island Country Summit in Washington, D.C. in September 2022. The Summit demonstrated the United States' deep and enduring partnership with Pacific Island countries
Increased US and Chinese naval activities in disputed waters off China's coast
Both the United States and China have been asserting their interests in the South China Sea, where territorial disputes exist among multiple nations. China's military buildup and territorial claims in the South China Sea have raised concerns, and the US has increased its naval presence and conducted freedom of navigation operations in the region to challenge China's claims.
US trying to maintain the sovereignty and independence of Central Asian States (summit)
C5+1 Presidential Summit the presidents of the United States, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan - met on the occasion of the first-ever C5+1 Presidential Summit
Censorship of press
CCP cannot be trusted to tell public what is actually happening. Cover-ups of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central government elites do not want to see the PRC's reputation tarnished on the international stage. Consequence: lack of free press in China hampered prompt dissemination of knowledge about Covid to general public in China.
Signs of China's insecurity (systemic insecurities of the Chinese Communist Party)
Care a lot about their international reputation The Great Wall Reaction during COVID Censorship of press
Djibouti
China has a military base in Djibouti
What began tensions between China-US
China's assertiveness on international stage since 2008 financial crisis and since President Xi Jinping rose to power in 2012-2013. Global Financial Crisis of 2008, was the most severe worldwide economic crisis since the Great Depression China increased its standing as a responsible global actor during the crisis. Causes tougher more competitive US approach toward China
China's Nationalism
Consciousness of backwardness Powered by feelings of national humiliation and pride Xi's campaign of "rejuvenating the Chinese nation" Territorial integrity
Reaction during COVID
Did not want CCP's legitimacy to be harmed so did not reveal to the public the origins of the pandemic and their weak/destructive early responses to it. Blamed other countries for COVID, ex: Africa
Becoming more self-reliant/domestic buildup:
Drive to make China more self-reliant in the face of mounting challenges Domestic innovation Xi's visit to Northeast China Ensuring stable economic growth National Day in China (flag raising ceremony)
Venezuela
Elevated their ties to an "all-weather" partnership a deepening of political and economic cooperation between the two nations The countries agreed to advance cooperation on the joint building of the Belt and Road, economy and trade, education, tourism, science and technology, health, aerospace and civil aviation.
National Day in China
Flag-raising ceremony Unique romance exclusively belonging to Chinese The Flag Raising Ceremony is a traditional military ceremony of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of the People's Republic of China (PRC) which is done publicly on Tiananmen Square in the capital of Beijing
Pakistan
Have had Military interactions and exchanges that have further depend pragmatic cooperation between the "Iron Brothers" Iron Brothers: All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership has grown into a towering tree with deep roots in the heart of the two peoples. Chinese like to affectionately call Pakistani friends "iron brothers"
Palestine
Israeli-Palestinian conflict China is willing to promote an immediate ceasefire and provide humanitarian support for the Palestinian people China has continued to support the PLO in international forums, though it dropped its support for militant organizations. China has recognized the State of Palestine since 1988.
Middle East
Middle Eastern children are attending classes in China's official language Saudi Arabia Mandated Mandarin lessons in all public and private secondary schools
Factors of China (4)
Military posture: Aimed at Taiwan; defense-focus; limited nukes; NFU Economic interdependence: Chimerica Regime survival: Internal focus; checks/balances in place Identity seekers: Global status
Cultural bans/restrictions:
No Barbie in Vietnam due to a scene in which a map depicting the "nine-dash-line" is featured. The nine-dash-line is a U-shaped line that is used to illustrate the territory in the South China Sea, which both China and Vietnam claim as their own Advocates for gender rights/social causes choose to remain anonymous Restrictions on press/internet Restrictions on certain movies Banning clothing Clothing that is deemed "detrimental to the spirit of the Chinese people" Aimed at Chinese citizens wearing traditional Japanese clothing
Cambodia
Ream Naval base (was upgraded by China) China has cultivated strong ties with Cambodia, gaining access to its sea ports that can allow China to exploit oil reserves in the Gulf of Tonkin. During the visit, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen described China as Cambodia's "most trustworthy friend." U.S. Consequence: U.S. officials have voiced suspicions the facility, being upgraded by China, will be used exclusively by China's military.
Geopolitical shift in Middle East
Region was traditionally regarded as a sphere of US influence China becoming more involved in Middle East with countries like Saudi Arabia
Massive repression against Uighurs in Xinjiang
Reports of widespread human rights abuses, including mass detentions, forced labor, and religious persecution against the Uighur Muslim minority in China's Xinjiang region, have drawn international condemnation.
War between Russia and Ukraine
Russia-China strategic partnership was becoming increasingly challenging for the United States and its allies A win for Russia is a win for China
Chinas Cooperation with other countries shows:
Shows China's growing role in the world and China's ambitions to be a global leader
Dilemma for Belt and Road Initiative nations:
Some are skeptical of economic benefits from BRI 70% of ASEAN public were cautious, while some protest against China Greater concerts from the US, the EU, Australia and Japan Exit of Lithuania CPEC: some benefits but Pakistan's economic struggle Greece: needs investment from Beijing without losing its autonomy Dilemma between China and US National development v. sustainability, autonomy, security Hambantota, Djibouti, Gwadar part of "string of pearls"
China's Initiatives: (NAMES of the 4)
Strengthening relationships with countries that aren't close with the west, such as the global south Efforts in the UAE BRICS+ Belt and Road Initiative
COVID:
Systemic insecurities of the Chinese Communist Party vs political and psychological insecurities of Trump One domestically insecure government (CCP) with a legitimacy crisis that plays out in form of domestic repression under a single authoritarian leader who can never be questioned or criticized vs one insecure executive branch in the US under a vainglorious president who is running for reelection and demanding his partisan troops never criticize his response to the COVID crisis.
Digital Silk Road
The DSR assistance goes toward improving recipients' telecommunications networks, artificial intelligence capabilities, cloud computing, e-commerce and mobile payment systems, surveillance technology, smart cities, and other high-tech areas. 5G network, fiber optic cable, satellite, AI, cyber
Taiwan as a factor of tension btw US and China
The U.S.'s role at the heart of the Taiwan problem The Taiwan Strait crisis of 1995-96; arms sale the effect of a series of missile tests conducted by the People's Republic of China (PRC) in the waters surrounding Taiwan 2005 Anti-secession Law: threat of force in case of Taiwanese independence The Taiwan Relations Act (signed by the Carter administration and Taiwan in 1979; a de facto defense treaty; The American Institute in Taiwan)
Taiwan
The biggest problem for stateness Outside the current territories as an independent political entity A model of prosperity and democracy for the mainland Hot economy and cold politics Economic trade and 1 million residents in the PRC Political tension over independence
Pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong
The mass pro-democracy protests that erupted in Hong Kong in 2019 were met with a heavy-handed response from the Chinese government. The United States, along with many Western countries, voiced support for the protestors and criticized China's actions. (interference in its internal affairs)
Japan and South Korea
Trilateral Summit in coming months ( last time was in 2019) Make new progress in trilateral cooperation and make new contribution to regional peace, stability and prosperity Cooperation in fields such as culture, economy, trade, scientific/technological innovation, sustainable development and public health.
Countering the Belt & Road Initiative
US has plans for new rail and shipping corridor that would connect India and Europe through the Middle East Would connect the region countering China's years-long backing of massive infrastructure projects around the world.
Zambia
Upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership a high-level and multifaceted relationship between two countries. It signifies a deep and comprehensive collaboration that goes beyond traditional diplomatic relations
US alliance with India designed to contain China
Xi to skip G-20 in India Biden made several agreements in science, technology and supply chain security designed to bolster U.S. relations with India and Vietnam.
Development of "safe cities": surveillance state; China's media PR
which integrate data from intrusive surveillance systems to predict and prevent everything from fires to natural disasters and political dissent
