Getting China Wrong

The West's strategy of engagement with China has failed, as the country has become more repressive, aggressive, and intent on establishing itself as the world's preponderant power. This study identifies the assumptions underpinning engagement and explains the counterstrategy that China's Communist Party rulers devised to exploit the West's openness while defeating its plans. The democracies must take seriously the Party's determination to crush opposition, build national power, and fulfill its ideological and geopolitical ambitions if they wish to preserve their prosperity, protect their security, and defend their common values.

Format: Hardback
Length: 246 pages
Publication date: 25 March 2022
Publisher: Polity Press

The West's engagement strategy with China has proven unsuccessful, resulting in a country that is wealthier and more powerful than it would have been otherwise. However, the growth and development achieved have not led to a relaxation of the Chinese government's grip on political power, the abandonment of mercantilist economic policies, or acceptance of the rules and norms of the existing international system. Instead, China has become more repressive at home, more aggressive abroad, and more determined to establish itself as the world's preeminent power.

The democracies underestimated the resilience, resourcefulness, and ruthlessness of the Chinese Communist Party. For too long, the United States and its allies failed to take seriously the Party's unwavering determination to crush opposition, build national power, and fulfill its ideological and geopolitical ambitions.

In this timely and powerfully argued study, Aaron Friedberg identifies the assumptions underpinning engagement, describes the counterstrategy that China's Communist Party rulers devised to exploit the West's openness while defeating its plans, and explains what the democracies must do now if they wish to preserve their prosperity, protect their security, and defend their common values.

The West's engagement strategy with China has failed due to several factors. Firstly, the democracies underestimated the resilience, resourcefulness, and ruthlessness of the Chinese Communist Party. For far too long, the United States and its allies failed to take seriously the Party's unwavering determination to crush opposition, build national power, and fulfill its ideological and geopolitical ambitions.

Secondly, the West's approach to engagement with China was based on a flawed understanding of the country's political system and economic development. The democracies assumed that China would gradually liberalize its economy and political system, aligning itself with the West's values and norms. However, the Chinese government has pursued a strategy of "socialism with Chinese characteristics," which combines elements of capitalism and socialism to maintain its control over the economy and society.

Thirdly, the West's engagement strategy with China was often driven by short-term economic interests rather than long-term strategic considerations. The democracies were eager to access China's market and invest in its infrastructure, which led to a rush of trade and investment. However, this approach failed to take into account the long-term implications of China's rise, such as its impact on global trade, security, and the international political order.

Fourthly, the West's engagement strategy with China was often undermined by internal political divisions and conflicts within the democracies. Different countries within the West had different priorities and interests in relation to China, which led to disagreements and tensions. This internal fragmentation made it difficult for the democracies to develop a unified and effective strategy to engage with China.

Fifthly, the West's engagement strategy with China was often influenced by geopolitical considerations rather than economic or human rights concerns. The democracies were concerned about the rise of China as a global power and its potential impact on their own security and interests. This led to a focus on military and security cooperation with China, rather than on promoting human rights and democracy in the country.

To address these challenges, the democracies must take a more comprehensive and nuanced approach to engagement with China. This includes:

Building stronger diplomatic and economic ties with China. The democracies should work to establish closer diplomatic and economic ties with China, including through high-level visits, trade agreements, and investment projects. This can help to promote greater understanding and cooperation between the two countries.

Promoting human rights and democracy in China. The democracies should continue to press China to respect and promote human rights and democracy, including through diplomatic and economic pressure and public diplomacy initiatives. This can help to promote greater respect for human rights in China and to support the development of a more open and democratic society.

Encouraging political and economic reform in China. The democracies should encourage China to pursue political and economic reform that will promote greater openness, transparency, and accountability in the government and the economy. This can help to promote greater economic development and stability in China and to reduce the country's dependence on authoritarianism.

Countering Chinese influence in the international system. The democracies should work to counter Chinese influence in the international system, including through the development of regional and global alliances and the promotion of international rules and norms that are consistent with Western values and interests. This can help to promote greater stability and security in the international system.

In conclusion, the West's engagement strategy with China has failed due to a combination of factors, including underestimating the resilience, resourcefulness, and ruthlessness of the Chinese Communist Party, a flawed understanding of the country's political system and economic development, short-term economic interests, internal political divisions and conflicts, and geopolitical considerations rather than economic or human rights concerns. To address these challenges, the democracies must take a more comprehensive and nuanced approach to engagement with China, including building stronger diplomatic and economic ties, promoting human rights and democracy, encouraging political and economic reform, and countering Chinese influence in the international system.

Weight: 506g
Dimension: 160 x 235 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509545124