China’s main foreign politics drivers

There is a central element when we analyse the driver behind China’s foreign policy: it strives for leadership, a clear ambition depicted by its leadership. This ambition is depicted in five main aspects: China’s ambition to position itself as a leader of the restructuring of the global governance; A greater activism in the multilateralism; and the promotion different aspects, including: an alternative model of development and governance of the world; a post-occidental vision and new standards / international norms.[1]

This aspiration is supported by a range of means, and first of all, by a vastly improved economic power in the recent decade. Beijing has come out of the economic crisis in far better shape than other leading economies. This has transformed the economic power balance, at both regional and international level. This has resulted in an increased confidence on behalf of China in its own capacities. Secondly, Beijing has an advantage in terms of human resources, both on quantitative but also in qualitative terms.[2] Thirdly, the technical means, that have been put at the disposal of its internal as well as external policy, have been greatly improved and reinforced. Finally, China has greatly improved its capabilities to communicate, notably through the development of its official press network.[3]

Domestically, it is still the development of its internal economy that plays an important role. This impact two respective aspect: the policy adopted regarding the foreign direct investment and Beijing investment abroad; and an increasing necessity to ensure the securitisation of its raw material supply (energy or mineral).[4]

In its regional approach, there has been a clear shift in its foreign policy priorities. It is relatively safe to say that China has two main priorities In the Asia-Pacific region: the omnipresence of the terrorist threat, mostly in South and South-east Asia and the defence of its “core interests”. This last aspect relates to the primordial defence of its territorial integrity and sovereignty. This has also a prominent role in its relation to the USA. [5]

Finally, on the international stage, three core reasons can be asserted. First of all, we have the recent and impressive modernisation and transformation of its military capabilities. The second reason is linked to an increased engagement with the countries of investment. In the recent past, China has begun to take into account, no only the necessity to monitor its investment, but also to take into account the risks that are linked to them. This includes the economic, political as well as diplomatic. Finally, we have the ensured protection of its national.[6]