Why Does China Actively Practice Multilateralism Since 1980s?

Why Does China Actively Practice Multilateralism since 1980s?

Abstract

China has conforming to the trend and actively practices multilateral policy since 1980s. Different schools have different point of view on the reason why China actively practices multilateralism since 1980s. Realist believes that getting more involvement in international regime is for the pursuit of power and interest. Liberal may argues that through cooperation, the relationship of the states could realize “joint-maximizers” (Li 77). Through the development of Chinese multilateralism, this paper analyses the case of Chinese Multilateralism-- the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) from realist and liberal schools to see the congruence in it.

Introduction

Multilateralism is an essential foreign policy tool in contemporary international relations. Victor D. Cha argued that “multilateralism is necessary to bind the great power, discourage unilateralism, and give the small powers a voice and voting opportunities that they would not otherwise have, whether in the form of membership in an alliance or in international institutions” (Cha 165-166). If the superpower—the United States seeks control of small powers, it is likely to be considered as having the political ambition to take full charge of other countries; if the United States seeks control of a great power, then the multilateral relationship is very useful. The crisis of multilateralism emerged in the 1980s in a tendency on the part of the United States and some other powerful countries to reject the United Nations as a vehicle for international action and a movement on the part of these countries towards either unilateralism or collective dominance in world economic and political matters. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the configuration of power giving context to multilateralism changed again. Cox illustrated that “The Soviet Union, beset by economic crisis at home and undergoing a major transformation of its political being, proclaimed 'new thinking' about world relationships and the United Nations system” (Cox 164). So, the main aim of Soviet Union’s foreign policy is to remain the good relations with the United States. With the absence of Soviet power, US tends to build “new world order” to control the trend of the world. Under this international background, multilateralism is actively practiced by many countries, and China has more connection with other countries since being at the stage of development.

Literature Review

With the remarkable growth of China’s national strength, western voices and assertions like “China Collapse”, ”China Threat” and others have kept us company since 1980s, yet none of these predictions turned out correct. China has practiced “Peaceful Rise” policy, and has practiced multilateralism to disarm other countries especially Asian countries and advance national interests (Wang Li 1).

So, what does multilateralism exactly mean? Literally, it means “the practice of co-ordinating national policies in groups of three or more states” (Keohane 731). However, it misses “the qualitative dimension of the phenomenon that makes it distinct” (Ruggie 566-568). Thus, Ruggie presents a precise and useful definition, “institution of multilateralism” (Martin 766). According to this definition, multilateralism consists of three principles: “indivisibility, nondiscrimination, and diffuse reciprocity” (qtd. in Martin 767). First, indivisibility is elucidated by collective security arrangements, an attack on one country within which is considered as an attack on all. Secondly, nondiscrimination shows that the members should be in equal status in the international trade. Thirdly, Lisa L. Martin explains “diffuse reciprocity” as “states do not rely on specific, quid-pro-quo exchanges, but on longer-term assurances of balance in their relations” (Martin 767). By participating and establishing multilateral organizations, China takes more responsibility in the world.

Since the People’s Republic of China was founded, the multilateral policy in China can be divided into four stages: forced exclusion (1949-1971), preliminary participation (1971-1979), extensive participation (1979-1996), and proactive construction (1996 to now) (Zhang et al 178). In 1950s, multilateral organizations were seen as instruments of imperialism and there was no reason for China to take part in them, which based on “Two Camps” theory. This kind of multilateralism can be categorized as nominal multilateralism. In the late 1970s, Chairman Mao’s theory of “Three Worlds” allowed for selective and symbolic involvement in international organizations, particularly the U.N., where the third world countries made up the majority and were increasingly assertive in pursuit of their own interests (Wang Hongying 478). However, the diplomatic activities were very limited at that time. In deciding multilateral affairs, China often abstained, and even did not vote (Wu 11-12). After reform and opening up, the main goal of China’s foreign policy is to maintain a peaceful world and provide supporting conditions and environment to stimulate the economy. Johnston and Ross argued in their book that “In that period, China participated in most international organizations, in order to develop economy and integrate into the international community” (Johnston and Ross 289). Since 1990s, China has put increasing emphasis on multilateralism, promoting multilateral diplomatic strategy both on international level and regional level. One of the proofs that China practices multilateralism is that it strongly supports U.N. to play the central role in international order and conflict resolution in post-cold war period. China’s attitude has gone through some important changes since returning to U.N. in 1971, especially in the cognition of U.N. collective security mechanism and function in the international conflict resolution, from doubt and standing aside to passive participation, and to the active advocacy of multilateralism and the U.N. (Wang Jianwei 79-81).