Strategic decision
making in governance is considered the catalyst for success. When examining
China and the model being created and grown, the impact of strategizing
resonates in every policy that is formulated, statement that is made and action
taken by the state. China completes four decades of openness in 2018 and is
looking to the future in ensuring prosperity within, and promoting development
not just with key allies, but across the board in order to increase
opportunities, raise standards for development and drive growth in the global
economy.
As a country grows
itself it looks to reach outside through an effective foreign policy. The
formulation and implementation of such a policy requires clarity in
understanding internal and external factors that influence foreign policy. Of
even greater significance is the ability to understand the entire structure of
the country with which relations are being established or expanded. When
examining key post-independence developments in China-Sri Lanka relations from
1950 as the first Prime Minister recognized the People’s Republic of China, to
the signing of the historic Rubber Rice Pact in 1952, the establishment of
diplomatic relations in 1957 and all key developments, the most intrinsic
aspect throughout has been the need to comprehend the other. When comprehension
has been grasped in its entirety, relations have flourished, and when critical
aspects have been ignored, issues arose.
China’s international
relations, connectivity and investments, though under constant scrutiny as
states grapple to comprehend the process by which the Chinese mechanism
operates, are the main factors that ensure the possibility of an effective
foreign policy. Whilst the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) notches half a
decade, the large scale planning behind the projects, have created a massive
impact in pushing China up the ladder of influence in the global arena.
Comprehension of China
remains the most critical factor if states are to realize a mutually beneficial
relationship. From the development prospects of the ‘Two Centenary’ goals, to
the five pronged approach of building socialism with Chinese characteristics,
to building up a socialist economy, a socialist democracy, a socialist advanced
culture, a socialist harmonious society and a socialist ecological civilization,
the Chinese leadership has sought to strategize foreign policy efficiently by
basing it on domestic demands and policy.
China’s four-pronged
Comprehensive Strategy for implementation requires deeply integrated measures
whereby emphasis is laid on the comprehensive nature of the deed. This results
in improving effectiveness and efficiency but more crucially guarantees an
inclusiveness of varied sectors from completing the building of a moderately
prosperous society to deepening reform, advancing the rule of law and exercising
strict discipline for the party in keeping with the Chinese system. Further
augmentation occurs through the five major development concepts to promote
innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development. This model which
has been activated in China is what the country looks to export to
contemporaries internationally.
Addressing the Central
Committee on Foreign Affairs in 2014, President Xi Jinping called for devotion
to “safeguarding China’s sovereignty, security and development interests,
foster an international environment that is friendly to our peaceful
development, and take advantage of this important period of strategic
opportunity for China.” His call identifies crucial factors that China is keen
on safeguarding and promoting. Just as Aristotle advocated the importance of
‘knowing thyself’ China has clearly done her homework before embarking
internationally, and teaches a valuable lesson to all countries, especially Sri
Lanka on the need to understand that which is within, and attempt thereafter to
formulate policy accordingly.
Bilateral relations
remain the bedrock upon which China has grown relationships, particularly with
countries like Sri Lanka. The Rubber – Rice Pact though concluded more than six
decades ago, is highly appreciated by China due to the significance of the
deed. The failure to conclude
this agreement would have jeopardized the provision of a vital import for China
owing to the embargo at the time and severely affected Sri Lanka’s supply of
rice. One understood the needs of the other and was able to secure a mutually
beneficial arrangement. Cultivating varied degrees of relations with countries
in all regions of the world, China has displayed the potential of a country to
deeply engage with another irrespective of size.
In his commitment to
multilateralism, Xi used the 70th anniversary of the United Nations
to call for the adoption of “a new vision of seeking positive outcomes for all,
and reject the outdated mindset of zero-sum game or winner-takes-all [and]
forge a global partnership at both international and regional levels, and
embrace a new approach to state-to-state relations, one that features dialogue
rather than confrontation, and seeks partnerships rather than alliance.”
Through interactions in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the
Conference on Interaction and Confidence-building Measures in Asia (CICA), the
East-Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), as well as through the
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), China is striving to give effect
to what Xi called “a new model of international relations underpinned by
mutually beneficial cooperation.” Recognizing a unique niche, China is not
attempting to change the existing system, which has undergone much trial, but
is instead looking to evolve a new one.
When strategizing for
diplomacy in general and when attempting to build a sound relationship with
China a thorough comprehension of several factors is required. Firstly, understanding
oneself whereby countries assess their internal requirements, are aware of
ramifications and enter the international arena with a clear vision of what it
is they wish to contribute to and gain from the international system.
Secondly, understanding
the process within China, given the energetic strategizing, in which the BRI is
just one of three massive programmes that also includes the coordinated
development of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province, and the Yangtze River
economic belt.
Thirdly, realizing the
potential of consolidating bilateral relations and assessing the value that China
attaches to bilateral interactions as well as the significance of history
through which these ties have been fostered.
Finally, recognition of
the international environment, and to note that as China continues to rise and strides
the world stage, she is taking partners and allies with her. Changing dynamics
in global governance, which have seen a rise in nationalism, isolationism and
self-centered policy formulation, have resulted in China benefiting through the
adoption of innovative measures of inclusion and cooperation.
The Brussels-based
academic Jonathan Holslag, opines that ‘today
China’s diplomacy with Asia has morphed from a rigid state-guided scheme into
an eclectic array of initiatives from many stakeholders: the state, the Party,
the military, the provinces, cities, companies, (and) thinks tanks.’ The
strategic manner in which China develops within, the cooperative manner through
which all countries are being embraced and the pioneering means by which China
aims to revolutionize global governance in the 21st century, on the
eve of the 70th anniversary of the revolution, are collectively indicative
of the progress made thus far and the goals to which she aspires.
Although Martin Jacques identifies China ‘not just as a
nation-state, [but] also [as] a civilization-state,’ the insight that
may be derived of the overall strategic approach of such a country requires detailed
comprehension, if countries are to succeed in their interactions with China.
