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2021 | OriginalPaper | Chapter

6. New System of International Relations? Which Way Forward into the Rest of the Twenty-First Century?

Author : Nicolai S. Mladenov

Published in: China's Rise to Power in the Global Order

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

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Abstract

The chapter addresses the viability of China’s claims and insistence for the need of a new more just, democratic and inclusive system of international relations, and Beijing’s “from within” and “from outside” the existing global order, third path approaches, and strategic behavior. The discussion depicts how China continues to selectively demonstrate its “responsible stakeholder’s stands regarding the centrality of some of the existing systemic structures such as the UN, WTO, WHO, G-20, and in parallel sought the establishment and enlargement of new international structures and platforms in which Beijing is playing a leading role—BRIC, SCO, CICO, BRI, and AIIB, enhanced by its global network of strategic partnerships.

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Chen Xiangyang, “A Diplomatic Manifesto to Secure the China Dream”, China-US Focus, December 31, 2014, at http://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/a-diplomatic-manifesto-to-secure-the-chinese-dream.htm.

See Michael D. Swaine, “Chinese Views on Global Governance Since 2008–9: Not Much New”, 2016, China Leadership Monitor, No. 49.

Interview with Chinese President Xi Jinping, The Wall Street Journal, September 22, 2015, at http://www.wsj.com/articles/full-transcript-interview-with-chinese-president-xi-jinping-1442894700.

Barry Buzan, “A World Order Without Superpowers: Decentered Globalism”, 2011, International Relations, Vol. 25, No.1, pp. 1–23.

Andrew J. Nathan and Andrew Scobell, “How China Sees America: The Sum of Beijing’s Fears”, Foreign Affairs, Vol. 91, No. 5, September/October 2012 Issue, https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/china/2012-08-16/how-china-sees-america.

Ibid.

See President Xi Jinping interview, The Wall Street Journal, September 22, 2015.

See transcript of the speech at https://qz.com/512886/read-the-full-text-of-xi-jinpings-first-un-address/.

See, Fu Ying speech “Putting the Order(s) in Perspective”, February 13, 2016, at https://www.securityconference.de/en/activities/munich-security-conference/msc-2016/speeches/speech-by-fu-ying/.

Ibid.

Cui Liru, “International Order in a Time of Transition”, China-US Focus, March 22, 2016.

Ibid.

See “China Plays Key Role in Maintaining Multilateral World Order”, People’s Daily, February 22, 2017.

Fu Ying, “My Take-Aways from 2020 Munich Security Conference”, China-US Focus, February 23, 2020, at https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/my-take-aways-from-2020-munich-security-conference.

Patrick Wintour, “Top Diplomats Disagreed Over the Global Relevance of the West at the Munich Security Conference”, The Guardian, February 16, 2020, at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/16/westlessness-is-the-west-really-in-a-state-of-peril.

See Steinmeier address transcript at http://www.bundespraesident.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/Reden/2020/02/200214-MueSiKo-Englisch.pdf?__blob=publicationFile.

Ibid., pp. 6–10.

Noah Barkin, “The U.S. and Europe Are Speaking a Different Language on China”, Foreign Policy, February 16, 2020, at https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/02/16/the-u-s-and-europe-are-speaking-a-different-language-on-china/.

See the transcript of Secretary Pompeo speech at https://www.state.gov/the-west-is-winning/.

See the transcript of Secretary Esper speech at https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Speeches/Speech/Article/2085577/remarks-by-secretary-of-defense-mark-t-esper-at-the-munich-security-conference/.

See Patrick Wintour, “Top Diplomats Disagreed Over the Global Relevance of the West at the Munich Security Conference”.

Ibid., pp. 3–4.

See Noah Barkin, “The U.S. and Europe Are Speaking a Different Language on China”.

See the transcript of NATO SG Stoltenberg’s opening remarks at https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_173709.htm?selectedLocale=en.

See at https://www.economist.com/international/2020/06/08/nato-sets-its-sights-on-china.

See the transcript of Wang Yi speech at https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202002/16/WS5e490ce7a310128217277dc8.html.

Ibid.

See Fu Ying, “My Take-Aways from 2020 Munich Security Conference”.

See Patrick Wintour, “Top Diplomats Disagreed Over the Global Relevance of the West at the Munich Security Conference”.

See Steinmeier address transcript, pp. 7–10.

See Noah Barkin, “The U.S. and Europe Are Speaking a Different Language on China”.

Frank Jordans, “Merkel: Germany ‘Can Afford’ More Debt to Fund EU Recovery”, The Washington Post, June 26, 2020, at https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/merkel-germany-can-afford-more-debt-to-fund-eu-recovery/2020/06/26/f3195214-b7c0-11ea-9a1d-d3db1cbe07ce_story.html.

Joel Gehre, “Westlessness’ in Munich: A Preview of Topics on Tap at Annual Security Conference”, Washington Examiner, February 14, 2020, at https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/westlessness-in-munich-a-preview-of-topics-on-tap-at-annual-security-conference.

John Irish and Noemie Olive, “France, Germany Sign Contract to Develop Fighter Jet Prototype”, Reuters, February 20, 2020, at https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-defense-fighterjet/france-germany-sign-contract-to-develop-fighter-jet-prototype-idUSKBN20E1JF.

See Fu Ying, “My Take-Aways from 2020 Munich Security Conference”.

Chen Dingding, “Xi Jinping’s Evolution of Chinese Grand Strategy”, The Diplomat, December 2, 2014.

See Michael D. Swaine, “Chinese Views on Global Governance Since 2008–9: Not Much New”.

Xi Jinping address at the UN GA, September 28, 2015, http://qz.com/5128886/read-the-full-text-of-xi-jinping-first-un-address/.

Ibid., p. 2.

Ibid., pp. 3–5.

Ibid., p. 6.

See Dries Lesage, “The G8 and G20: How Far Can the Parallel Be Drawn”, 2010, International Organisations Research Journal, Vol. 5 (31), pp. 93–94.

Ibid., p. 94.

Stephen S. Roach, “The Globalization Disconnect”, Project Syndicate, July 25, 2016, at https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/find-solutions-for-free-trade-backlash-by-stephen-s--roach-2016-07.

See Stephen S. Roach, “Global Growth—Still Made in China”, Project Syndicate, August 29, 2016, at https://www.projectsyndicate.org/commentary/china-still-global-growth-engine-by-stephen-s--roach-2016-08.

See at https://www.reuters.com/article/us-economy-global-kemp-column/china-has-replaced-u-s-as-locomotive-of-global-economy-kemp-idUSKBN1XF211.

He Yafei, “China’s Role at G20: Team Player and Growth Driver”, China-US Focus, September 21, 2016, at http://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/chinas-role-at-g20-team-player-and-growth-driver/#sthash.xmxgwgwn.dpuf.

Jiang Jie, “China Expected to Take Larger Role in Global Governance Amid Calls for De-globalization”, People’s Daily Online, September 22, 2016.

Ibid.

He Fan, “Putting the G20 back on Track”, November 14, 2014, at http://thebricspost.com/putting-the-g20-back-on-track/#.V-eDCvQbIgQ.

Ibid.

Xi Jinping message and attached Theme and Key Agenda Items, at http://www.g20.org/English/China2016/G202016/index.html.

Xi Jinping speech, “A New Starting Point for China’s Development—A New Blueprint for Global Growth”, at http://en.people.cn/n3/2016/0904/c90000-9110023.html.

Ibid., pp. 8–9.

See “Xi Calls for Reforms on Global Governance”, Xinhua, September 29, 2016, at http://en.people.cn/n3/2016/0929/c90000-9121228.html.

Ibid.

See Xi Jinping’ opening speech ….

At Beijing’s invitation, 2016 G-20 Leaders’ summit was attended by the presidents of Chad and Senegal, the Chairman of the African Union, and the event was covered by 28 African journalist representing 27 countries, some even dubbing the event as the “African G-20”.

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi article, “G-20 Offers Chinese Proposals to World Economic Governance”, People’ Daily, September 30, 2016, at http://en.people.cn/n3/2016/0930/c90000-9122214.html.

See the respective G-20 Leaders’ Declarations at https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/09/05/g20-leaders-communique/; http://www.g20.utoronto.ca/2017/2017-G20-leaders-declaration.html; http://www.g20.utoronto.ca/2018/2018-leaders-declaration.html; https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/economy/g20_summit/osaka19/en/documents/final_g20_osaka_leaders_declaration.html.

Ibid., see 2018 Buenos Aires and 2019 Osaka Declarations.

All the above available and discussed statements, remarks, interventions, and press releases can be found at http://www.g20.utoronto.ca/summits/2020riyadh.html.

Ash Jain, “Trump Just Missed a Perfect Opportunity to Reassert American Leadership”, Foreign Policy, April 2, 2020, at https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/04/02/g20-helped-beat-ebola-but-not-coronavirus/.

See at https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-signing-h-r-748-cares-act/.

Patrick Wintour, “G7 Backing for WHO Leaves Trump Isolated at Virtual Summit”, The Guardian, April 16, 2020, at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/16/g7-backing-for-who-leaves-trump-isolated-at-virtual-summit.

Dinakar Peri, “U.S. Defense Secretary to Visit India”, The Hindu, December 5, 2016, http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/U.S.-Defence-Secretary-to-visit-India/article16761129.ece.

See Goa Action Plan, at http://brics2016.gov.in/upload/files/document/580389cbe5ed3GoaActionPlan.pdf.

See GOA Declaration of the 8th BRICS Summit, pp. 1–4, at http://brics2016.gov.in/upload/files/document/58038a52e09d4GoaDeclaration.

Ibid., pp. 5–8.

Ibid., pp. 8–9.

See Wang Hui, “BRICS Still Playing an Important Role in International Affairs”, China Daily, January 11, 2017.

Johannesburg Declaration, at http://www.brics.utoronto.ca/docs/180726-johannesburg.html.

See BRICS Joint Statement, at http://www.brics.utoronto.ca/docs/190628-osaka.html.

Brasilia Declaration, article 3, at http://www.brics.utoronto.ca/docs/191114-brasilia.html.

See at https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/external-affairs-minister-speaks-of-international-law-in-meeting-with-russian-chinese-foreign-ministers/article31898275.ece.

See at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/11/world/asia/china-iran-trade-military-deal.html.

SCO Charter, at https://people.unica.it/annamariabaldussi/files/2015/04/SCO-Charter.pdf.

See Eleanor Albert, “The Shanghai Cooperation Organization”, October 14, 2015, Council on Foreign Relations, at http://www.cfr.org/china/shanghai-cooperation-organization/p10883.

Ibid.

See Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit 2018, at https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2018/06/12/shanghai-cooperation-organisation-summit-2018/.

Iranian President tells SCO Summit that President Trump poses “Serious Risk” to Stability, RadioFreeEurope, June 14, 2019, at https://www.rferl.org/a/shanghai-cooperation-organization-starts-summit-in-bishkek/29998881.html.

SCO Bishkek Declaration, at https://www.voltairenet.org/article206808.html.

Almaty Charter, at http://www.s-cica.org/page.php?page_id=7&lang=1.

Xi Jinping speech at 4th CICA summit, May 2014, at http://www.china.org.cn/world/2014-05/28/content_32511846_2.htm.

Ibid.

“Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations Produces Rich Outcomes”, Xinhua, May 25, 2019, at https://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-05/25/c_138087088.htm.

“Xi Propose Pathway to Building ‘Cooperative and Sustainable Security’ in Asia”, China-US Focus, April 29, 2016.

Dushanbe CICA Declaration, at http://www.s-cica.org/admin/upload/files/Declaration_of_the_Fifth_CICA_Summit.pdf.

See, MFA of the PR of China, Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation between the PR of China and the Russian Federation, July 21, 2001, at http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/wjdt_665385/2649_665393/t15771.shtml.

Sovereignty and security issues are also regulated in the China-India common statement in 2005, China-Vietnam joint statement in 2008, while China and Mongolia (2011), Uzbekistan (2012), Tajikistan (2013) and Kyrgyzstan (2013) have stated in their joint statements that neither side should join any military or political alliance against each other, or allow a third party to use its territory against the other.

Holly Ellyat, “China’s Xi Calls Putin His ‘Best Friend’ Against a Backdrop of Souring US Relations”, CNBC, June 5, 2019, at https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/05/putin-and-xi-meet-to-strengthen-ties-as-us-relations-sour.html.

“China, Russia Aim to Double Trade Volume, Intensify Cooperation”, Xinhua, September 18, 2019, at http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-09/18/c_138399432.htm.

See at http://en.people.cn/n3/2020/0709/c90000-9708551.html.

EP hearings, at http://www.europarl.europa.eu/hearings-2014/en/schedule/06-10-2014/federica-mogherini.

See http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2015/06/26-euco-conclusions/, II. Security and defense, 10.b.

Antonio Missiroli (ed.), “An EU Global Strategy”, 2015, EUISS, at http://www.iss.europa.eu/uploads/media/Towards_an_EU_Global_Strategy.pdf.

Ibid., p. 123.

Ibid., p. 142.

See Anne-Marie Slaughter, A New World Order, 2005, Princeton: Princeton University Press, and Michael Mandelbaum, The Case for Goliath: How the United States Has Become the World’s Government, 2006, New York: Public Affairs.

See Antonio Missiroli (ed.), “An EU Global Strategy”, p. 124.

100

He Zhigao, “EU’s Security Needs Rethink After Brexit”, Global Times, July 7, 2016, at http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/992922.shtm.

101

Ibid.

102

Speech by HR/VP, Federica Mogherini at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, China, July 13, 2016, at http://eeas.europa.eu/statements-eeas/160714_01_en.htm.

103

Ibid.

104

Ibid.

105

Remarks by President Donald Tusk after the 18th EU-China summit, Beijing, July 13, 2016, http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/07/13-tusk-remarks-eu-china-summit/.

106

“EU-China Relations Factsheet”, EEAS, October 18, 2019, at https://eeas.europa.eu/topics/external-investment-plan/34728/eu-china-relations-factsheet_en.

107

“China—A Strategic Outlook”, EC and HR/VP contribution to the European Council, March 12, 2019, at https://ec.europa.eu/commission/sites/beta-political/files/communication-eu-china-a-strategic-outlook.pdf.

108

Foreign Affairs Council, March 18, 2019, Council of the EU, at https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/fac/2019/03/18/.

109

Michael Peel, “China Hits Back at Brussels Over ‘Systemic Rival’ Warning”, The Financial Times, March 18, 2019, at https://www.ft.com/content/471a49f6-497a-11e9-bbc9-6917dce3dc62.

110

See at https://america.cgtn.com/2019/03/20/chinese-president-xi-embarks-on-three-nation-european-trip.

111

“Xi, Merkel, Macron and Juncker Meet in Paris”, DW, March 26, 2019, at https://www.dw.com/en/xi-merkel-macron-and-juncker-meet-in-paris/a-48060985.

112

Jorge Valero, EU, China agree on joint statement as Beijing makes last-ditch concessions, EURACTIV, April 9, 2019, at https://www.euractiv.com/section/economy-jobs/news/eu-china-agree-on-joint-statement-as-beijing-makes-last-ditch-concessions/.

113

https://europeansting.com/2020/06/23/on-the-22nd-china-eu-summit-negotiating-partner-economic-competitor-and-systemic-rival-is-this-the-right-eu-approach-to-address-its-2nd-biggest-trading-partner/.

114

Ibid.

115

Xi’s remarks, at https://news.cgtn.com/news/2020-06-22/Xi-Jinping-meets-with-EU-leaders-via-video-conference-Rxp7dSEJfG/index.html.

116

Mei Xinyu, “China and TPP Are Not Made for Each Other”, China Daily, March 16, 2017.

117

“Xi Gives Speech to Indonesia’s Parliament”, China Daily, October 2, 2013, at http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2013xiapec/2013-10/02/content_17007915.htm.

118

See Annex A, Lima Declaration on FTAAP, at http://www.mofa.go.jp/files/000205151.pdf.

119

Donald J. Lewis, “China Ushers in New FTAAP Era”, at http://chainadaily.com.cn/opinion/2016-11/22/content27456948.htm.

120

Jane Perlez, “China Creates a World Bank of Its Own, and the U.S. Balks”, The New York Times, December 4, 2015, at https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/05/business/international/china-creates-an-asian-bank-as-the-us-stands-aloof.html.

121

“China-Led AIIB Approves 13 New Members, Canada Joins”, Reuters, March 23, 2017, at http://www.cnbc.com/2017/03/23/reuters-america-china-led-aiib-approves-13-new-members-canada-joins.html.

122

See Jane Perlez, “China Creates a World Bank of Its Own, and the U.S. Balks”, The New York Times.

123

“Why China Is Creating a New ‘World Bank’ for Asia”, The Economist, November 11, 2014, at http://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2014/11/economist-explains-6.

124

Ibid.

125

Ibid.

126

Elliot Wilson, “Asia: Could Covid-19 Be the Making of the AIIB?”, Euromoney, April 22, 2020, at https://www.euromoney.com/article/b1l9lyrb8ztsqc/asia-could-covid-19-be-the-making-of-the-aiib?copyrightInfo=true.

127

“China Focus: What to Expect from Belt and Road Forum”, Xinhua, May 1, 2017.

128

“China Champions Economic Globalization, Braves Challenges”, Xinhua, March 26, 2017, at http://en.people.cn/n3/2017/0326/c90000.html.

129

Ibid.

130

China’s Belt and Road Initiative in Global Trade, Investment and Financial Landscape, OECD, 2017, at https://www.oecd.org/finance/Chinas-Belt-and-Road-Initiative-in-the-global-trade-investment-and-finance-landscape.pdf.

131

“Chinese BRI Set to Become Project of the Millennium”, at https://www.silkroute.news/article/783436/.

132

See at https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2018/10/28/japan-joins-to-shape-chinas-belt-and-road/.

133

“Belt and Road Helps Build Lasting Economic and Trade Relations”, China Daily, December 12, 2019, at http://www.china.org.cn/business/2019-12/12/content_75505431.htm.

134

See Fareed Zakaria, The Post American World, 2008, New York: Norton.

135

B. Zhang, “Overview: The Evolution of China’s Diplomacy and Foreign Relations in the Era of Reforms, 1976–2005”, in Y. Hao et al. (eds.), Challenges to Chinese Foreign Policy: Diplomacy, Globalization, and the New World Power, 2009, Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, pp. 15–30.

136

Z. Chen, “Huoban Zhanlue: Sheji zhiliao Zhongguo de Xianshi Lixiang Zhuyi Waijiao Zhanlue [Partnership Diplomacy: China’s Realistic Idealistic Diplomacy Strategy at the Turning of the Century]”, 1993, Taipingyang Xuebao [Pacific Journal], No. 3, pp. 12–20.

137

See Georg Struver, “China’s Partnership Diplomacy: International Alignment Based on Interests or Ideology”, 2017, The Chinese Journal of International Politics, Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 31–65.

138

Ibid., Appendix, Table A1.

139

Georg Struver, “China’s Partnership Diplomacy: International Alignment Based on Interests or Ideology”, Appendix, Table A1.

140

See Feng Zhongping and Huang Jing, working paper 8, “China’s Strategic Partnership Diplomacy: Engaging with a Changing World”, June 2014, European Strategic Partnership Observatory (ESPO).

141

“China, Israel Announce Innovative Comprehensive Partnership”, at http://singapore.shafaqna.com/EN/SG/161568.

142

See Feng Zhongping and Huang Jing, working paper 8, “China’s Strategic Partnership Diplomacy: Engaging with a Changing World”, June 2014, European Strategic Partnership Observatory (ESPO), p. 12.

143

Yan Xuetong, “Inside the China-U.S. Competition for Strategic Partners”, The Huffington Post, November 2, 2015.

144

Ibid.

145

See Feng Zhongping and Huang Jing, working paper 8, “China’s Strategic Partnership Diplomacy: Engaging with a Changing World”, pp. 13–14.

Title: New System of International Relations? Which Way Forward into the Rest of the Twenty-First Century?
Author: Nicolai S. Mladenov
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Book: China's Rise to Power in the Global Order
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-66451-0

Electronic ISBN: 978-3-030-66452-7

Copyright Year: 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66452-7_6

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