Title: China's Periphery Policy and Changing Security Environment in the Asia-Pacific Region
Abstract:For a long time, China was seen as a regional power without a regional policy. Since the early 1980s, reform-minded Beijing leaders have made a deliberated effort to devise an integrated regional poli...For a long time, China was seen as a regional power without a regional policy. Since the early 1980s, reform-minded Beijing leaders have made a deliberated effort to devise an integrated regional policy, known as ”zhoubian zhengce” (periphery policy) or ”mulin zhengce” (good neighboring policy). This policy of seeking mutual interests with Asian neighbors has served China's interests in establishing a stable regional security environment and promoting economic modernization along pragmatic lines. In particular, China has maintained and expanded strategically important relations with Russia, newly independent Central Asian republics, two Koreas, and major Southeast Asian countries after the end of the Cold War. However, China still faces many serious challenges if it want to further improve its security environment in the periphery. Although Beijing’s leaders have declared the victory of the good neighboring policy, the success has largely been along its land borders in the north and West. The security environments along China's East and South frontiers, particularly the coastal frontiers where China's major economic and political centers are located, have not been improved as much. Some new problems have also been occurring in these areas. The key issue in China's periphery policy is how China can pursue its vital national interest without disrupting regional stability and if China can bring its belligerent behavior in line with its benign face. This paper analyzes the formation of China's periphery policy, the subsequent change in Beijing's relations with its Asian neighbors and the impact on the regional security environment, and the challenges Beijing faces in Asia.Read More
Publication Year: 2001
Publication Date: 2001-10-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 3
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