DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS OVER 70 YEARS

By Jon Taylor

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Republic of China （PRC）， a period in which the world has changed rapidly. China has played a signifi cant role in that change through international relations and global governance. It has moved from standing up to opening up to growing rich and strong.

Chinas relations with the rest of the world have seen historic changes over the past 70 years on its road to becoming the worlds second largest economy. Its prosperity， enhanced national strength and restoration to preeminence on the world stage have given the nation the ability to defend both its sovereignty and fundamental interests. Nowhere is this more apparent than in its diplomatic efforts. Since 1949， the goals of the PRCs foreign policy have been consistent： safeguarding the countrys development environment while supporting both global peace and development efforts.

Basis of foreign policy

In reviewing Chinas diplomacy， it is important to understand the role that it has played in the modern international relations system. Much like any other great power， it is crucial to comprehend that Chinas history， national interests， international responsibilities and current role in global affairs all color the nations foreign policy and have a significant impact on an ever-evolving international system of governance.

During the past 70 years， China has moved from international isolation to become one of the worlds major powers. After the founding of the PRC， domestic weakness and external vulnerability came to an end. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China （CPC）， the nation sought to regain the respect and dignity of being a great nation that was lost after a century of humiliation， one that saw external powers engage in hegemony in both China and East Asia. That experience of victimization at the hands of Western and Japanese powers was a critically infl uential and the formative basis for Chinas foreign policy， which remains a cornerstone of contemporary Chinas approach to foreign relations.

If the West is at all interested in understanding what drives Chinas foreign relations and diplomatic efforts， it is essential to comprehend the impact that a century of hegemonic victimization from 1840-1949 had on the nation. It provides insight into what has driven much of Chinas foreign policy for the past 70 years. Simply stated， to grasp why China is concerned with issues such as sovereignty， national reunifi cation and territorial integrity， look no further than the humiliations of the 19th and 20th centuries. The restoration of China as powerful and a globally preeminent nation has allowed it， much like other great powers， to assert its national interests.

Its interests have become of increasing concern for those in the West who are more than happy to ratchet up differences of opinion into full-blown trade wars and calls for combating the so-called “China threat.” Nowhere is this more evident than with issues that the West believes are international in scope， but are central to Chinas view of sovereignty. Western support for the independence of Taiwan or Tibet—particularly from the countries that were formerly invaders and colonizers of China—is perceived to be both rank hypocrisy and an encroachment on Chinas inviolable core interests.

To have a general understanding of 70 years of Chinese foreign policy， one only needs to review its objectives， guiding principles and strategies. China defi nes these as follows： domestic political stability， sovereign security， territorial integrity and national reunifi cation， and sustainable economic and social development. These objectives have been consistent over the past seven decades.

The history of the PRCs foreign relations and diplomacy can best be understood through two periods： before and after reform and opening up that began in 1978. For the first 30 years （1949-78）， the focus of Chinas foreign policy and diplomatic efforts was to oppose the threats posed by the two superpowers， the consolidation and enhancement of the nations independence， and the safeguarding of the countrys sovereignty and territorial integrity. Since 1978， China has gradually reoriented its foreign policy and diplomatic efforts by creating an external environment that has been conducive to both its domestic economic development and its return to prominence in international relations.

Since reform and opening up began， Chinas role in foreign affairs has moved from one of relative isolation within East Asia to one of the worlds two largest economic powers with a global reach. Backed by both expanding economic and political power， this global reach has allowed China to extend its infl uence virtually everywhere and not only to demonstrate its diplomatic intentions as a peaceful and responsible power， but also to both advance and foster myriad development opportunities for a number of countries.

A new era

Under President Xi Jinping， Chinas diplomacy has expanded on a global scale as the nation has restored its place as a major country. China has invested heavily in global infrastructure and governance， worked hard to further economic integration and invested in trade and infrastructure in emerging economies， which is aimed at assuring both stability and regional security.