China's Foreign Policy

China’s Foreign Policy

China, officially the People’s Republic of China (PRC), is the world’s most populated country and the second biggest political power after the United States of America. Subsequently, its foreign policy is a key factor in today’s world due to the magnitude of influence the PRC holds and the importance of its geopolitical decisions. In addition, it is the biggest manufacturing niche and where international corporations have outsourced their production, making it the industrial superpower of the world.

Quoting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People Republic of China (FMPRC), “The PRC unswervingly pursues an independent foreign policy of peace. The fundamental goals of this policy are to preserve China's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, create a favorable international environment for China's reform and opening up, maintain world peace and propel common development.”. Although it is a generic and broad statement, it contains the fundamental elements to the foreign policies of the People’s Republic of China. For example, the PRC does not engage in diplomatic relations with any country that recognises the Republic of China, commonly known as Taiwan, which can be interpreted as an intent of preserving the PRC’s “sovereignty and territorial integrity” as previously stated by the FMPRC.  We have to remember though, that China has a long history and its foreign policies have not always been quite the same. Because the country’s history is so extensive, we will focus our vision on the eras staring from the rise to power of Mao Zedong until today’s politics.

Although the ultimate power resided on Mao, Zhou Enlai was in charge of foreign affairs and was well-known for his diplomatic and negotiating skills. During this period, China’s main objective was to protect and expand communism. Despite being close allies, the People’s Republic of China and the Soviet Union parted ways around 1960. Mao Zedong argued that the U.S.S.R. had drifted away from the true principles of communism. As a result, they both sponsored different communist parties around the world.

With the end of this alliance came a new one several years later which is still standing today. In 1972 the president of the United States of America , Richard Nixon, visited the country. Later, China backed way its support to North Vietnam in its war against the United States. Formal relations were established in 1979 by the Nixon administration and coordinated by the United States State Secretary at the time, Henry Kissinger. Since then, both countries have enrolled in prosperous diplomatic relations with a few minor disagreement regarding issues such as Taiwan or nuclear proliferation.