China as a Dominating State

The rise of China has inevitably been profound. Its development as an important figure in the international system has attracted attention from all corners of the world and has even been considered to end the United States of America predominance era. However, with its style of governing and geographical position in Asia, its dissatisfaction with the current international system may cause tension with the West and even alter the current international order. The essay will explore if China’s rise to global importance will end the United States Unipolar era and if it will pursue to become part of the existing order or will it abolish the system and use it to control and change the rules of the international order around the world. It will also explore why and how China is fast changing hegemony from the West to the East, how will it become a threat to the existing international order and how will states react and be influenced by this hegemony and whether China will remain status quo or become a revisionist state.

In recent years, China has become one of the most influential and powerful state in the international system. In just 60 years, China’s GDP has risen dramatically, with GDP growth of 6.7% per year since the beginning of 1950 and has increased to 8.3% per year from 1978 onwards. With this accomplishment, China, in the contemporary world, has the world’s second largest economy. It also has become one of the world’s largest trading nations and has acquired large holdings of foreign reserves. By opening trade barriers to the outside world, China’s economy has grown and has enabled China to use soft power such as globalising Chinese culture; this can be seen in Australia where China has opened the Confucius Institute in which it promotes the Chinese language and culture. Although its economic growth is astounding, it is still behind the more advanced states. However with its vast population that still continues to grow, its economy is expected to become the largest by the mid-21st Century. While its economy grows, so does its political and military power. China has come out of its isolation and has open up to the world, enabling China to deepen its relationships with other states. It has gained diplomatic recognition from other states and has contributed in the international system, for example, China is a permanent member on the United Nations Security Council, it also offers foreign aid, which allows China to have some sort of influence over other developing states. China’s military has been improved with its foundation coming from its strong economy; it has enabled China to create technologically advanced weapons and improve its military. “In 2008, China became the world’s second highest military spender.” With these radical achievements, China could one day, become a global leader like the United States. It is already a powerhouse and China would want to shed the label as a ‘developing nation’ and into a more established ‘developed country.’

With this sort of success, it is no wonder why China is seen as a threat to the International Order, most notably the United States. It has gained power that could ultimately lead to hegemony and even a change to the international order, but China can also continue its ‘peaceful rise’ and remain as ‘status quo’, however this topic is debatable. First, as an authoritarian government, China could seek to change the international order to suit its interest and other states in the system will begin to see China as a security threat. This view is held by realists such as John Mearsheimer, who suggests that it creates tension between states and can lead to distrust and miscommunication which can cause conflict such as war. Second, with China becoming an influential leader in Asia, the West can lose much of its Asian allegiance such as Japan and South Korea and inevitably become weaker. Third, China has attracted states outside its region such as Africa, Latin America and the Middle East through its success of political economy. It has reinforced this through aid and access to growing markets. This lets China gain recognition and enables them to participate in global practices such as organisations and aid which gives China a chance to be taken seriously. However, the major threat coming from China’s rise to global dominance is that it will end the United States’ predominance era. A major shift from one side of the Pacific to the other side means that the United States will, to a certain extent, lose the luxury of creating policies that will benefit its interest and having the full backing of other states. Also, the United States has lost much due to investing heavily in defence and security such as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Having to face threats from transnational terrorism in which the United States must protect itself from, makes it more difficult to supress a growing China.

However, with many arguments of power shift between the United States and China will clash, many have stated that China will rise as a ‘status quo’, acting “cautious, responsible, focusing on internal problems and avoiding conflict.” Also, as previously stated, China still lags behind many of the developed states. China still has to deal with internal conflicts such as inequality against minority groups such as Tibet, the falling agriculture sector and mass migration to urban cities as well as mass migration overseas. Corruption within the government itself can have states mistrust China and may not want to deal with China. Also, with many states emerging with nuclear weapons, it is less likely that China will go to war as they have more to lose than gain, and it is unnecessary in this century to go to war. China has also participated in UN peacekeeping missions becoming more interactive with neighbouring states as well outside of its region by settling disputes and other conflicts. “This helps to alleviate fears, and reduce the likelihood of other countries allying to balance a rising power.” According to Joseph S. Nye Jr, China in the future is “unlikely to become a hegemonic challenger as other states will join together and bandwagon to balance its power.” As China became the largest exporter, it is dependent on other states to buy its products as well relying on others to import resources in order to survive. This influences other states to create policies “to avoid conflicts that would interfere with trade.” China’s leaders have travelled abroad more than ever than previously, this demonstrates China “engaging in the existing order” than rebelling against it. China may want to fix its internal problems before stepping out on the world stage as a global competitor; this may take a long time for China to be considered a threat for hegemony. However, in a rapidly changing world, many things can happen, especially with China’s behaviour is shifting from a revisionist power to a status quo and vice versa. Many states have reacted to China’s rise in a negative as well as a positive outcome. The United States, as the current dominant power, sees China as a threat that could ultimately dismantle the United States. However, States in Europe see China as an opportunity to broaden their own interests in trade and deepen its relationship with China politically. For example, in 2006, China and Europe held the tenth EU-China summit in Beijing in which they agreed to “launch negotiations on a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement to encompass the full scope of their bilateral relationship.” The EU are willing to help China “to invest in the development of the country, but in turn, China must meet a number of standards and demands.” The European Union take a humanitarian approach compared to the United States more brutal confrontation. The European Union is willing to compromise and even neglect hard-power in order to keep things peaceful as “China and the European Union have a common interest in enhancing social equality and welfare.” Australia, who may not be as large as the European Union, is a much important actor on a global scale. It has a relationship with both China and the United States making it a useful tool for both states. The gateway to Asia for the United States is Australia, with its geographic location; the United States allegiance with Australia is highly important. However, economically, the Sino-Australia relationship is also very strong with “bilateral trade soaring from US$9.9 billion to US$57.4 billion, making China the largest trading partner of Australia.” China has influenced many developing states in which creates a positive relationship and allegiance to China. It has invested heavily in many developing states such as Nigeria, Angola and Iran and has provided aids such as infrastructure as well as employment and social aid. This allows developing states to improve life expectancy and build a healthier new generation. Engaging in multilateral projects can provide China to succeed in obtaining their national interest as well as creating a positive image for itself.

With its growing population and economy, China, in the future will become an important actor on the world stage. However, it does not necessarily mean it will become a revisionist state and it will seek to challenge the current hegemony and change the international system to its liking. China has many conflicting problems within its own boarders to deal with and may even take a long time to reach the status of becoming a threat. However, with its relationships across the globe and its rising economy and military, China is not to be taken lightly and it will grow to be an important figure in the future.

Bibliography: Xie, Tao & Page, Benjamin, ‘Americans and the Rise of China as a World Power’, Journal of Contemporary China, 65/19 (2010), 479-501 Kastner, L. Scott & Saunders, C. Phillip, ‘Is China a Status Quo or Revisionist State? Leadership Travel as an Empirical Indicator of Foreign Policy Priorities’, International Studies Quarterly, 56/1, (2012) 163-177 Nye Jr, Joseph S., ‘The Future of American Power,’ Foreign Affairs, 89/6 (2010) 36-49 Geeraerts, Gustaaf, ‘China, the EU, and the New Multipolarity,’ European Review, 19/1 (2011) 57-67 Ikenberry, G. John, ‘The Rise of China and the future of the West: Can the Liberal System Survive?’ Foreign Affairs, 87/1 (2008), 23-37. Cox, Michael, ‘Power Shifts, Economic Change and the Decline of the West?’ International Relations, 26/4 (2012) 369-288 Vogt, Roland, Europe and China: Strategic Partners or Rivals? (Hong Kong, Hong Kong University Press, 2012),

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[ 1 ]. Tao Xie and Benjamin Page, ‘Americans and the Rise of China as a World Power’, Journal of Contemporary China, 65/19 (2010), 479-501.
[ 2 ]. Ibid, 480
[ 3 ]. Scott L. Kastner and Phillip C. Saunders, ‘Is China a Status Quo or Revisionist State? Leadership Travel as an Empirical Indicator of Foreign Policy Priorities’, International Studies Quarterly, 56/1, (2012) 163-177
[ 4 ]. Joseph S.Nye Jr, ‘The Future of American Power’ Foreign Affairs, 89/6 (2010) 36-49
[ 5 ]. Tao Xie and Benjamin Page, ‘Americans and the Rise of China as a World Power’, Journal of Contemporary China, 65/19 (2010), 479-501.
[ 6 ]. Ibid, 481
[ 7 ]. Gustaaf Geeraerts, ‘China, the EU, and the New Multipolarity’ European Review, 19/1 (2011) 57-67
[ 8 ]. G. John Ikenberry, ‘The Rise of China and the future of the West: Can the Liberal System Survive?’ Foreign Affairs, 87/1 (2008), 23-37.
[ 9 ]. Joseph S.Nye Jr, ‘The Future of American Power’ Foreign Affairs, 89/6 (2010) 36-49
[ 10 ]. G. John Ikenberry, ‘The Rise of China and the future of the West: Can the Liberal System Survive?’ Foreign Affairs, 87/1 (2008), 23-37.
[ 11 ]. Joseph S.Nye Jr, ‘The Future of American Power’ Foreign Affairs, 89/6 (2010) 36-49
[ 12 ]. Tao Xie and Benjamin Page, ‘Americans and the Rise of China as a World Power’, Journal of Contemporary China, 65/19 (2010), 479-501.
[ 13 ]. Joseph S.Nye Jr, ‘The Future of American Power’ Foreign Affairs, 89/6 (2010) 36-49
[ 14 ]. Ibid, 42
[ 15 ]. Ibid, 42
[ 16 ]. Ibid, 43
[ 17 ]. Tao Xie and Benjamin Page, ‘Americans and the Rise of China as a World Power’, Journal of Contemporary China, 65/19 (2010), 479-501
[ 18 ]. Scott L. Kastner and Phillip C. Saunders, ‘Is China a Status Quo or Revisionist State? Leadership Travel as an Empirical Indicator of Foreign Policy Priorities’, International Studies Quarterly, 56/1, (2012) 163-177
[ 19 ]. Ibid, 163
[ 20 ]. Roland Vogt, Europe and China: Strategic Partners or Rivals? (Hong Kong, Hong Kong University Press, 2012), 24
[ 21 ]. Gustaaf Geeraerts, ‘China, the EU, and the New Multipolarity’ European Review, 19/1 (2011) 57-67
[ 22 ]. Ibid, 65
[ 23 ]. Tao Xie and Benjamin Page, ‘Americans and the Rise of China as a World Power’, Journal of Contemporary China, 65/19 (2010), 479-501
[ 24 ]. Ibid, 484

Bibliography: Xie, Tao & Page, Benjamin, ‘Americans and the Rise of China as a World Power’, Journal of Contemporary China, 65/19 (2010), 479-501 Kastner, L. Scott & Saunders, C. Phillip, ‘Is China a Status Quo or Revisionist State? Leadership Travel as an Empirical Indicator of Foreign Policy Priorities’, International Studies Quarterly, 56/1, (2012) 163-177 Nye Jr, Joseph S., ‘The Future of American Power,’ Foreign Affairs, 89/6 (2010) 36-49 Geeraerts, Gustaaf, ‘China, the EU, and the New Multipolarity,’ European Review, 19/1 (2011) 57-67 Ikenberry, G. John, ‘The Rise of China and the future of the West: Can the Liberal System Survive?’ Foreign Affairs, 87/1 (2008), 23-37. Cox, Michael, ‘Power Shifts, Economic Change and the Decline of the West?’ International Relations, 26/4 (2012) 369-288 Vogt, Roland, Europe and China: Strategic Partners or Rivals? (Hong Kong, Hong Kong University Press, 2012), [ 4 ]. Joseph S.Nye Jr, ‘The Future of American Power’ Foreign Affairs, 89/6 (2010) 36-49 [ 5 ] [ 8 ]. G. John Ikenberry, ‘The Rise of China and the future of the West: Can the Liberal System Survive?’ Foreign Affairs, 87/1 (2008), 23-37. [ 9 ]. Joseph S.Nye Jr, ‘The Future of American Power’ Foreign Affairs, 89/6 (2010) 36-49 [ 10 ] [ 11 ]. Joseph S.Nye Jr, ‘The Future of American Power’ Foreign Affairs, 89/6 (2010) 36-49 [ 12 ] [ 13 ]. Joseph S.Nye Jr, ‘The Future of American Power’ Foreign Affairs, 89/6 (2010) 36-49 [ 14 ] [ 17 ]. Tao Xie and Benjamin Page, ‘Americans and the Rise of China as a World Power’, Journal of Contemporary China, 65/19 (2010), 479-501 [ 18 ] [ 21 ]. Gustaaf Geeraerts, ‘China, the EU, and the New Multipolarity’ European Review, 19/1 (2011) 57-67 [ 22 ] [ 23 ]. Tao Xie and Benjamin Page, ‘Americans and the Rise of China as a World Power’, Journal of Contemporary China, 65/19 (2010), 479-501 [ 24 ]