China’s Views of International Order

It is Chinese national interests of security, sovereignty and development that determine how it views the international order something that has been expressed in its official and unofficial documents and statements. Limited by poverty and political isolation during the Maoist era, China increased its interactions with the international system in the late 1970s following recognition by the United States and entrance into the United Nations. The legitimacy, predictability and stability of the international order is appreciated especially where Beijing can exert influence and resented where they view disproportionate benefits towards the United States. Support is seen in participation in international organizations such as the United Nations(UN) and the World Trade Organization(WTO) whereas criticism of the liberal norms and values that are a hallmark of the current international order are a sign of resentment. Western values that emphasize human rights, democracy and military alliances within the international order are therefore considered problematic by the Chinese.

In the UN, China has the veto power whereas in the WTO, all members have an equal vote and ability to initiate the dispute resolution process which is fine with Beijing but they put up a fight in institutions where the state has less influence such as the successful push to have Chinese currency as one of the reserve currencies of the International Monetary Fund(IMF). In institutions where its national interests are limited, China has opted to build those that give it a greater role such as Shanghai Cooperation Organization(SCO) and Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank(AIIB). Despite calling for more influence in the international system from non-Western countries, China vetoed a proposal to expand the UN Security Council in 2005 that could have brought in the likes of Japan, Germany, India and Brazil. At the same time, China was critical of United States violation of the UNSC resolutions following the 2003 invasion of Iraq but has rejected the authority of the Permanent Court of Arbitration(PCA) over its territorial dispute with the Philippines since its ruling did not favor Beijing. 

China’s Behavior Towards the International Order

China is considered to be generally supportive of existing institutions having joined almost every major international institution as an active participant. It is important to note that the support for various elements in the current international order varies for instance there is more Chinese engagement on matters economics and non-proliferation than issues like human rights hence its compliance is somewhat uneven although there is improvement. China has been receptive to the general multilateral order built on the UN system but critical and even confrontational towards components it views as enhancing United States predominance.

In several institutions, China has increasingly become an active contributor and powerful voice such as being a top contributor of troops among the Permanent Five members towards UN peacekeeping operations. China is a member of major institutions like UN, WTO, IMF, WB, ILO among others and also a member or signatory of hundreds of minor institutions, conventions, treaties, agreements and committees. On the other hand, Beijing has joined Washington in resisting international institutions that they view as a threat to their interests such as the International Criminal Court(ICC), International Court of Justice(ICJ) and the Land Mines Convention.

There are fears that China could be quietly working within the system to exert its influence which may be difficult to detect but could be destabilizing in the future. Regionally, its growing influence in institutions such as the Association of South East Asian Nations(ASEAN) which have become platforms to ease regional fears of China’s looming power and to enhance its predominance as a regional hegemon is something to watch out. However, in terms of institutional compliance, there is progress in integrating International Labour Organization(ILO) rules into Chinese domestic law, support towards climate issues remains positive as well as significant domestic reforms to meet the conditions required by WTO membership have been implemented.

All in all, China’s approach towards the international order is complicated hence cannot be termed as either hostile or supportive but somewhere in between. What is clear is that China wants to be viewed as a responsible leader of a multi-lateral order but one not afraid to challenge existing rules and norms. Since alienating China is not a good idea, it is upon the likes of the United States to pursue a stable competition that does not end up in an adversarial situation but keeps the option for collaboration on issues of mutual concern alive.

Reference

Michael, J.M., Timothy, R.H., & Astrid, S.C. (2018). China AND THE International Order. US: RAND Corporation.