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China’s Open-up Strategy (1978–2018) pp 13–36Cite as

Theoretical Framework of China’s Strategy

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Abstract

At the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs on November 28th and 29th, 2014, President Xi made it clear that “identifying the global development trend and staying relevant is an ever-changing mission of paramount importance”.

Today, economic globalization and regional integration are progressing quickly. The future and interests of different countries and regions are tightly intertwined. Therefore, we must move away from the outdated zero-sum mentality. We cannot seek gains at the expense of others, harm others for our own interest, pursue victory through another’s loss, or wish for winner-take-all. Only when justice and interests are both taken into consideration could both be maintained. Only when a balance between the two is struck could both be obtained.

Xi Jinping on July 4, 2014 [1]

For major powers, globalization and regionalization act as constructive strategic straitjackets, making the pursuit of national interests more a matter of relative than absolute gains.

Snidal [2]

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Notes

  1. 1.

    According to Bodin, the fundamental distinction between a state and any other social or political organization is the presence of supreme sovereignty. Sovereignty is a property and basic characteristic of a state. It is an absolute, perpetual, indivisible, and inviolable power. The Westphalia treaty defines sovereignty as having two dimensions: internal and external. Internally, each state has exclusive sovereignty, over its own territory, unfettered by any domestic legislation. Externally, sovereignty is ultimate and independent from outside powers and does not tolerate outside intervention in the realm of sovereign jurisdiction [45, 46].

  2. 2.

    One example is the WTO framework, currently dominating the international trade system. The greatest flaw of such a system is that it overlooks the economic and policy autonomy that developing countries need in economic globalization [70]. Yang Kai-huang believes that China is proposing a new and different type of globalization with the Belt and Road Initiative as its centerpiece, representing its renewed willingness to support those who have less power [38].

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  1. School of Political Science and International Relations, Institute for China and the World Studies, Tongji University, Shanghai, China

    Honghua Men

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Men, H. (2020). Theoretical Framework of China’s Strategy. In: China’s Open-up Strategy (1978–2018). Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-4047-9_2

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