Traditionally, China has been perceived as an aggressor in Central, Southeast and Northeast Asia and the fear of Chinese expansionism has been considerable. But at the same time, China has also been one of the most prominent trading nations in the region, central for the economic development as well as for the regional stability. China's importance both as an economic and military power has substantially increased since 1949, and especially since the liberalization in the 1980's. This development has been viewed in both positive and negative ways by its regional neighbors and international community. Despite China's increased importance as a regional trading partner enriching the region, this development has also been perceived as a threat due to the low competitive prices, decent quality and availability of cheap labor that China can offer. A similar pattern can be identified in China's relation with the international community. Chinese engagement and interdependence with the outside world did not eliminate the military threat that China could pose. With the expanding economy the military power of China, with 2.8 million men under arms and an increasingly modern military forces with nuclear capability, guarantees China a dominant position in the region, a position that its neighbors do not feel comfortable with.  

This negative perception has been changing in recent years, when China has found itself in the midst of a number of changes in its foreign policy's aim of being seen as a responsible actor on the international arena. Correspondingly, the traditional perception of China has changed and neighboring states are becoming more at ease with China, though suspicion of her intents still remains. A good example of this change is the Chinese policy during the financial crisis in 1997, where most Southeast Asian states viewed China as a positive force when it came to handling the negative effects of the crisis (especially when seen in comparison with the European Union, Japan and the USA, that were perceived as being inactive in the light of the financial hardship that hit the region).

The primary focus of this research project is to enhance the understanding of Chinese foreign policy towards its neighbors in Central and Northeast Asia. The project also aims at increasing the understanding of the dynamics in China's foreign policy towards the international community and its members. This project is working in close cooperation with the program's Conflict Management in North East Asia project and its partners in China, thereby securing the local and regional involvement in the research process. In addition, the project aims at being in the forefront of research on Chinese foreign policy, and to function as a focal point for the European academic, policy and public debate. It will also facilitate a better communication and understanding between the research community and policy makers in China, and their regional and European counterparts. The undertaken research will be oriented towards policy relevant issues, and the findings will be disseminated not only through publications in academic journals, but also will be brought to the attention of policy makers and wider public.

The research's main focus is on China's policy towards a number of central issues for its foreign policy:
* China's policy towards Taipei, the South China Sea, and the Korean peninsula. 
* China's changing foreign policy towards its Western border after the independence of the Central Asian states in 1991, and the discontinuation of the Russian border against a large part of the Chinese border.

This project is part of the by the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs funded research on Conflict and Security in Asia.

Archive

20 Feb 2004 - Presentation on China at FFI, Oslo