China's New Imperialism: Nature, Causes, and Rationalization

This book explores China's international reassertion, highlighting its belief in high moral authority and its use of non-force strategies for expansion. It argues that this morality underpins China's foreign policies, overseas activities, worldview, and vision of a Chinese world order. However, the book concludes that Beijing's self-privileging high morality might reinforce its behavior that defies international order, increasing the likelihood of non-armed and armed conflicts.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 13 January 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate nature of China's current international resurgence and the underlying beliefs and ideologies that drive it. It argues that the Chinese leadership possesses a firm belief in its own high moral authority, emphasizing inclusion, equality, and mutual benefits. This moral framework serves as the guiding force behind China's foreign policies, rationalization of its overseas activities, overarching worldview, and vision of a Chinese world order. The book highlights how China's expansion has primarily been characterized by spreading influence through non-forceful means and strategies of "cooperation" and "managed conflict" under the overarching concept of "winning without fighting." A set of geo-strategic reasoning in China aligns with its pattern of overseas activities, emphasizing the interplay between land power and sea power to achieve a favorable balance of power. The book employs an empirical approach, drawing from original research into policy-making writings that provide realistic assessments of global politics and China's international capacity. It also incorporates narratives for public consumption that prioritize self-interest and realpolitik to a lesser extent. Through this comprehensive analysis, the book concludes that Beijing's self-privileging high morality may inadvertently reinforce its behavior, which defies international order and elicits disapproval from others. This heightened likelihood of non-armed and armed conflicts serves as a concerning outcome of China's international assertiveness.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032075716