The growth of the Chinese economy has allowed Beijing to gain international clout, making it capable of challenging the existing world order. China’s rise is often seen with a suspicious eye, leading several traditional world leaders to question its intentions. Given China’s expanding footprint in global geopolitics, economics, and technological realms, analysing the doctrine of peaceful rise, provides critical insights into how the nation projects itself as a global leader while managing internal and external pressures. This doctrine plays a pivotal role in shaping global perceptions of China’s growing influence and assessing its diplomatic and military strategies, as well as economic policies.
Zheng Bijian, former vice-president of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), is known for coining the notion of peaceful rise during 2002-2007. In his article for Foreign Affairs, he stated that through its achievements, China had taken a new strategic route suiting its national atmosphere while confronting its Century of Humiliation. According to him, this path towards modernisation could be called “the development path to a peaceful rise”.
Bijian suggested that this path enables China’s emergence peacefully without plundering the resources of other countries through “invasion, colonisation, expansion, or even large-scale wars of aggression” and that its emergence has been driven by resources acquired through peaceful methods. This was spearheaded by Bijian to counter the “China threat” theory prevailing in the West regarding the country.
He reasons that China does not seek hegemony or predominance in world affairs. It advocates a new international political and economic order, one that can be achieved through incremental reforms and the democratisation of international relations. China’s development depends on world peace, a peace that its development will, in turn, reinforce. The doctrine of peaceful rise assures the rest of the world that China will not challenge the existing global powers through coercive or aggressive means but will advocate for the country’s international consolidation and cooperation. Many argued that the term “rise” generated anxiety among China’s neighbours. Hence, it was replaced by “development” when the government published an official White Paper titled China’s Peaceful Development, emphasising the peaceful nature of Chinese foreign policy.
Under Xi Jinping’s presidency, the CCP has claimed to uphold the principles of the doctrine of peaceful rise by stating that the nation will always be a “builder of world peace.” Xi has called for greater international cooperation on matters concerning regional conflicts, terrorism, and cybersecurity, among others. The peaceful rise doctrine has attracted diverse responses from the international community, reflecting optimism and scepticism. Initially worried about China’s “rise” in status, Asian countries have welcomed this approach and taken the opportunity to enhance trade with Beijing. China has signed a treaty of amity and cooperation with ASEAN and begun bilateral negotiations. It has also established economic and diplomatic relations with South American and African countries. Additionally, it has settled territorial disputes with Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Critics argue that China’s peaceful rise stops at the Japanese and Taiwanese borders. These countries have been reluctant to buy into China’s claim of ‘rising peacefully’. Taiwan’s scepticism stems from Beijing’s “strong national sentiment for reunification,” with the government stating that it is willing to “bear any costs for that goal.” Similarly, Japan has been reluctant to accept this doctrine due to increasing military activities in the disputed waters between the two nations, where China is aggressively staking claims. The United States’ response to China’s peaceful rise has transformed through administrations. When the doctrine was first proposed, former President Barack Obama welcomed a peaceful, stable, and responsible rise in China’s international status. However, this took a turn when President Donald Trump took charge and labelled China as a “strategic competitor” and a “revisionist power”. Under Joe Biden, policies countering China have been put forward, showcasing that Washington is equipped for a power competition. The changes in the US’ attitude toward China are against the backdrop of Beijing’s changing strategies in its approach to foreign relations and diplomacy.
In conclusion, one can safely state that the doctrine of peaceful rise has been crucial in shaping Chinese foreign policy since its introduction. Through this doctrine, China has sought to foster a positive international image and curb fears regarding its growing influence. However, this narrative has not been universally accepted. It has drawn several responses from other countries, particularly the US and Asian nations. Utilising the doctrine as a propaganda tool, China counters narratives of threats emerging from its growing power and portrays itself as a responsible power. The state’s diplomatic tactics have shifted from “peaceful” to more assertive. Under Xi, China has resorted to techniques like the “wolf-warrior diplomacy” tactic to shape its international image.
As China continues to “rise” globally, the effectiveness of the peaceful rise doctrine will depend on its ability to align its actions with its principles to promote stability and cooperation. The future trajectory of this doctrine and China’s diplomatic approaches remain uncertain. If Beijing wishes to maintain credibility, fostering a cooperative international environment amidst growing skepticism and navigating regional challenges thoughtfully is paramount.
