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A New Chinese National Identity: The Role of Nationalism in Chinese Foreign Policy

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Chinese National Identity in the Age of Globalisation

Abstract

Under the leadership of Xi Jinping, the People’s Republic of China has moved to a more proactive foreign policy. While the Chinese economy’s increased importance within global production has given China a greater influence on the world stage, a more proactive Chinese foreign policy has its roots in the rise of a new Chinese nationalism. This chapter analyses two case studies of the effects of China’s new nationalism on Chinese foreign policy: Sino-Japanese relations during the Senkaku Islands/Diaoyu Islands disputes of 2013–2019 (reactive case), and Sino-Malian relations during Chinese peacekeeping missions in 2013 (proactive case). It argues that in policy formation, domestic Chinese nationalism is a factor that warrants greater consideration for Chinese foreign policymakers than it had elicited prior to Xi Jinping’s administration.

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Correspondence to Niall Duggan .

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Duggan, N. (2020). A New Chinese National Identity: The Role of Nationalism in Chinese Foreign Policy. In: Zhouxiang, L. (eds) Chinese National Identity in the Age of Globalisation. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-4538-2_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-4538-2_7

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore

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