Cultural Approach to China Foreign Policy

china foreign J OF CHIN POLIT SCI DOI 10.1007/s11366-012-9192-4 R E S E A R C H A RT I C L E

Chinese Foreign Policy Making 2010–2011: Using the Cultural Approach to Explain Complexity
Mark W. Lai

# Journal of Chinese Political Science/Association of Chinese Political Studies 2012

Abstract The rising economic strength of China over the past decade has aroused concern over the imbalance of global power. Research on Chinese foreign policy has again become of critical importance to the study of international relations and comparative politics. This article will begin with an overview of pertinent studies, categorizing them into cultural and non-cultural approaches, then it will re-examine the methodological problems associated with studying Chinese foreign policy making. Essentially, this article argues that that any research approach can generate methodological mistakes if undertaken without due care and attention. Rather, a multi-approach with emphasis on cultural factors will be a good model for future study. In other words, we have advocated an improved synergy of rational choice, structural, and cultural approaches. In the case study of Chinese foreign policy making between 2010 and 2011, the multi-approach provided a comprehensive picture of the Chinese thinking process behind seemingly irrational or illogical policy choices. It was the rising sense of frustration, the combination of over-confidence and self-doubt, which made foreign policy choices reflect the national interests at certain times and not at other times. Keywords Chinese Foreign Policy . Cultural Approach . China Study . Sino-US Relation . China in 2010

The rising economic strength of China over the past decade has aroused concern over the imbalance of global power. Research on Chinese foreign policy has again become of critical importance to the study of international relations and comparative politics.1
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For an updated literature review of Chinese foreign policy research in

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Kleine-Ahlbrandt, Stephanie, Andrew Small. 2008. China’s new dictatorship diplomacy. Foreign Affairs 87(1): 00157120 Mark Lai is Assistant Professor, Department of International Affairs, Wenzao Ursuline College of Languages. With doctoral degree from State University of New York, Albany, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, master degree from New York University, and bachelor degree from National Taiwan University, his academic career specialized in international relations, political economy and foreign policy analysis. Published works are in Review of Global Politics, Feng Chia Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, and book chapter published by Rowman and Littlefiled-Lexington Books. He is currently working on various projects titled: Rethinking Rogowski’s Model in Taiwan’s Case (using statistical model to detect the relations between foreign policy and domestic politics over time) and Friend or Foe— Empirical Study on the Global Reaction to US Hegemon 2011.