In Xi’s new era, Chinese diplomacy will be a display of hard power
Deng Yuwen says China’s communist leaders signalled at their 19th party congress that a muscular foreign policy, seen as vital for the country’s peaceful development, will guide decisions on core interests
What kind of foreign policies will China adopt following the 19th party congress? Will Beijing maintain the hardline stance it has adopted in its disputes with others, or take a softer and more flexible approach? These are questions that the international community is asking, especially China’s neighbours.
These words appear to signal that China is preparing to soften its forceful, sometimes aggressive, diplomacy. However, if we were to compare what was said in the 18th party congress report to what China actually did in the five years hence, there is reason to believe that what Beijing says may not be what it will do.
Chinese diplomacy over the past five years has largely left the international community with the impression of a tough China. Today as Beijing tries to counter the “China threat” theory, it may try to exercise some restraint in words, if not in deeds. Still, it is unlikely to back down over issues seen as encroaching on its “core interests”, such as territorial integrity and national security. In short, China could be soft in words, but tough in action.
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