By Shi Yinhong
While striving to build a harmonious society at home, the Chinese
government has put forward the idea of "the world in harmony". The
concept is grounded on four primary factors.
First comes the profound and dramatic changes in the world's
political landscape.
The value of war as an effective means to advance national
interests is declining at an accelerating pace.
Meanwhile, on the international relations agenda, economic and
soft-power issues are replacing traditional security issues.
A country's performance in economics, culture, diplomacy and
moral principles is becoming increasingly more important than its
military performance. At the same time, basic values and major
policy conceptions of nations, in particular big powers, share more
attributes in common. This may be the working of the world market
and modern economics, which play an increasingly important
role.
At the same time, various kinds of cross-border non-traditional
security threats are growing.
In view of all these trends, the concept of the world in harmony
signals the major changes world politics is undergoing.
Second, the idea of the harmonious world is based on China's own
experience in its peaceful development.
China's development relies heavily on a peaceful international
environment, trade, negotiations and "smiling diplomacy", all of
which fall under the category of soft power.
These factors are the outcome of neo-internationalism practiced
by China in the context of globalization and the country's
increasing involvement in the international system.
This kind of neo-internationalism, incorporating elements of
Chinese ideology, is based on multilateral cooperation,
international organizations, the international system and
non-political transnational dealings, all of which are believed to
be working to make international relations harmonious as well as
being in the fundamental interests of China.
At the same time, China's national interests are becoming
increasingly internationalized. The country's concerns tend to
partially converge on the common interests of the international
community.
Third, the concept of the harmonious world is a manifestation of
the Chinese government's perspectives and concept of what the world
order should be.
Chinese's values in this respect have their roots in history and
tradition and also in modern experience.
China's modern experience is crystallized in Chinese leaders Mao
Zedong's and Deng Xiaoping's conviction in the justice of the world
order and their personal experience in international politics.
Both of them, representative of two generations of Chinese
leadership, despised the strong bullying the weak and could not
bear the big powers' patronizing attitude.
Equality among all countries and self-determination of small and
weak nations are important principles they selected from the pool
of Western ideas.
All countries are equal, and big powers have no right to
interfere in the internal affairs of the weak. Negotiations based
on the principle of equality, instead of power politics, are the
only legitimate means to settle international disputes.
All these elements constitute the Chinese government's basic
outlook on international politics. Although Chinese's attitudes
toward international politics have shed the radical tinges of the
Mao Zedong era, the principles remain intact.
Fourth, the concept of the world in harmony is grounded on
China's strategic needs.
The country will benefit from advocacy and implementation of the
idea.
The wielding of peaceful or soft-power means such as trade,
diplomacy, culture and the influence of a country's successful
development, meets the least resistance and yields satisfactory
results. This is because it is non-violent in nature, works in an
accumulative way and covers the widest scope.
It should also be borne in mind that military might, will and
system can play a crucial role at critical moments. In normal
times, their deterrent power, together with the awe they inspire,
their influence and occasionally compulsory diplomatic means, is
equally important.
Experience over the last three decades shows that the peaceful
development strategy is one that benefits China enormously. It is
not likely that a wise Chinese government would discard this
strategy in the future, unless changes take place in the landscape
of world politics.
The author is a professor at the School of International
Relations, Renmin University of China.
(China Daily July 5, 2007)
