It is not the Middle Kingdom mentality but practical needs that decide China

behavior in the international scene. To you agree with this view of Chinas
foreign relations since 1978?
Stemmed from the Chinese cultural pride 5000 years ago that it was the most
civilized nation and by extension the suzerain-nation of the other countries,the
Middle Kingdom mentality to a certain extent still does have effect over China
even after 1978 as a part of her still has the desire to regain her former glory as
a global power and take her rightful place in the international stage. However,
given the changed socio-economic realities, that it no longer is the unparalleled
force it once was and the world power dynamics have also changed, how she
carries herself today is not up to what China sees herself as but what she needs
to do and what is the best move for her to take such that it is best in her
interests. Hence, this essay seeks to argue that in the short term at least, it is
not the Middle Kingdom mentality but practical needs that decide Chinas
behavior in the international scene because it is not yet a hegemonic power for it
to allow Middle Kingdom mentality to run its foreign policy.
Strong popular Chinese nationalistic sentiments have sometimes compelled
Beijing to adopt tough diplomatic stance that is reminiscent of Chinas Middle
Kingdom mentality. China has displayed its thirst for great power status through
the display of military might over the row with Taiwan at the Taiwan Strait. During
the then President Jiang Zhemins administration, China has forcefully warned
Taiwan that should the latter go for unilateral independence with or without
American support, China would effect a military invasion of Taiwan to protect
Chinas sovereignty and territorial integrity. Between 2001-2008, China fired
several missles across the Taiwan Strait to warn Taiwanese not to vote for Chen
ShuiBian of the Democratic Progressive Party which called for Taiwans
independence. This sparked off international fear of an imminent war in East
Asia, complicated by the American intervention. The fear was a reminiscent of
the Manchu invasion of the island in the 17 th century and Mao Zedongs
attempted invasion of the Kuomintang in Taiwan in 1949 that brought the US 7 th
nuclear fleet into the Taiwan Strait.
Still, in spite of pressure from the Chinese nationalists, Beijing has strived to act
rationally to its diplomacy to allay fears of China unrest, which could impede the
countrys global rise. Between 2001-2008, Taiwan called for independence away
from China. Chinas policy, in particular, was to isolate the island internationally
to deny its diplomatic space and thus prevent its permanent separation. In 2009,
with president Ma Ying Jeous warming relations with China, the tensions
between both thawed. China has reiterated its peaceful unification with Taiwan
through economic integration. In the same year, Hu Jing Tao changed Chinas
foreign policy from peaceful rise to peaceful development. It is argued that
Chinas option today does not allow for a war scenario in East Asia, especially in
the context of the global financial Crisis in 2009 when many countries look to
China as a source of economic assistance and for her to bring about economic
recovery due to global credit squeeze that originated in the USA.
Chinas aspiration to become a leader of the region and of the developing world
has struck a cord with those who think it still possess the Middle Kingdom
mentality. Chinas role in the creation of Shanghai Cooperation Organization with
the Central Asia Republics and the East Asia Summit has raised fears of the
China military threat. At the last summit of the SCO in 2008, Russian President
Dmitri Medvedev pushed the SCO to recognize the independence of Abkhazia &

South Ossetia in Georgia but the SCO baulked the groups Central Asian
membersKazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistanwould not have
stood up to the Kremlin without Chinas support. China has sent arms supplies to
Sudan since 2007 to support the rogue regime there. China has also send arms
to Sri Lanka in 2009 to help the latter to crush the Tamil Tiger Movement that has
embroiled Sri Lanka in a civil war of 28years.
The Middle Kingdom mentality may be projected through the insistence and
assertiveness of Beijing in trying to secure trade route in the region. China has
demonstrated her search for great power status through a global search for
natural resources and energy needs. It has been alleged that Chinas aggressive
foreign relations in the following areas are the results of her middle Kingdom
mentality to establish tributary claims. Chinas claims over the Spratly Islands in
the South China Sea with Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Philippines; Chinas
historical dispute with Japan over the Senkaku Islands or Diaoyutai, SinoJapanese oil and gas claims in the East China Sea. Chinas economic inroads into
Southeast Asia via cooperation with ASEAN since 1997 Asian Financial Crisis viz.,
ASEAN+3, ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA), etc. China has
established economic relations with Sudan and Venezuela.
Nevertheless, Chinas pragmatic diplomatic doctrine aimed at thriving in an
increasingly multipolar world shows Beijing is fully aware that Middle Kingdom
mentality is already outmoded. The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence is
the basis of Chinas diplomatic. To attain the great power status, China has been
willing to keep a low profile and focus on domestic development first. Chinese
leaders from Deng to Xi have repeated stressed Beijing commitment to Peaceful
Development that China would not become a hegemonic power even as it
turns stronger. China focus on aggressive economic reforms has result its
adoption of peace and development as central themes of diplomacy. Peace and
stability facilitate progress in economic diplomacy by opening up markets and
attracting investments. China continues to concentrate on improving relations,
engaging in constructive dialogue, normalizing and managing of historical issues
with other countries. The Chinese leaders want to improve Chinas image in the
international community such that it can become a great power.
Even Chinas confrontation with other countries stems from differences in
interests rather than the willful desire to exhibit its Middle Kingdom mentality.
Given the need to strengthen legitimacy via sustaining economic growth, in
search for energy, China inadvertently would have to compete with major powers
over energy resources, which is also vital for their economic development. As
such, Chinas entrance into the crude oil market in the Middle East which was
traditionally US dominated might be genuinely due to its economic interests, but
it does not prove that China wants to vie with the US for superpower status.
PLAs repeatedly incursion of the borders of India over the Himalayas might not
be because of thinks that it is the central Kingdom and therefore India has to pay
deference to her but perhaps due to the vested-interest involved. Likewise for
Chinas nine-dotted claim over South China Sea, and her persistent refusal for
disputes over territories in the East and South China Seas through arbitration at
the International Court of Justice are likely to be due to the economic interests
involved.
Like the other major powers, China is shrewd to alternate between conciliation
and conflict in its dealings with different countries, depending on the context
which best serves its national interest. China is aware that handling of territorial

claims will affect its international credibility. Hence, Chinas conduct of foreign
policy alternates between heavy and soft approaches. China has consistently
rejected armed intervention in the affairs of other states. Beijing has repeated
affirmed its no-first use pledge on nuclear weapons. Except battles against
Vietnamese up till 1988, which to the Chinese are for self defense, Beijing
advocated negotiations over military confrontation in all in territorial disputes.
Beijing has diffused potential armed tensions with Southeast Asia through the
Treaty of Amity and Cooperation with ASEAN.
In conclusion, the Middle Kingdom mentality is an outmoded world view that
does not dictate Chinas actions in the international scene. Beijing has
recognized that unlike in the past, China today is no longer the power dominant
within its known world. For China to emerge as a global power, at least in the
short term, China would have to pursue its interests through diplomacy that is
predicated upon the realities of a globalized world.