The Darfur Issue:A New Test for China’s African Policy

<正>With the approaching of Sudan's very first election in nearly two decades in April 2010,Sudan,the biggest country in Africa and also the country that faced most complicated development environment both domestically and internationally,is once again becoming the focus of the world.And the ongoing conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan,about one fifth of the total area and with more than 17%of total population,plus the controversy policy taken by the Sudan government as well as China's growing economic engagement in the country,particularly in the energy field,has put China's Africa policy in the spot light.Since China and Sudan have had a long tradition of friendship and close political and economic ties,there has been an unreasonable high expectation from the international community that China alone can influence the position of the Sudanese government on this sensitive matter.The international controversy over Darfur has brought a fundamental challenge to China's long-held foreign policy of 'non-interference'.The author argued in the paper,the principle of"non-interference"should not be interpreted as non willingness to take the"responsibility to protect".As a matter of fact,in recent years,China's Darfur policy has shown more and more flexibility and the"non-interference"policy itself is also undergoing changes.Given the complexity of the Darfur issue and the volatile North/South relation in Sudan,the"engagement approach"endorsed and pushed by China is more constructive than"sanction initiative"for maintaining the stability and peace in Sudan.     

Abstracts

＂Symbiosis of International Society＂ and IR Theory of Peace and Development
Symbiosis of international society is a proposition universally valid and impeccable. Both the two world wars and the general crisis occurred in the first half of the last century indicated that the change of lR theory was at the turning point of history and that the proposition of symbiosis of international society would inevitably replace the proposition of international anarchism, though it r has not been realized to date unfortunately. The post-war development of international society has all the more offered ample resources for establishing the leading position of the symbiosis o f international society in 1R research. By virtue of the momentum, it is the time to boost the Chinese traditional culture and Chinese wisdom of harmonious philosophy in the scientific explanation of the symbiosis of international society, which is particularly necessary for creating the IR theory of peace and development, sticking to the road of peace and development and contributing to the construction of a lasting peace, co-prosperity and harmonious world.     

Addressing Global Climate Change:The Need to Shape a Multidimensional Strategy for International Cooperation

<正>How to mobilize world countries to work together in addressing global climate change is now another focus of world attention.This is a major milestone in the history of human social development and progress in modern times and also a tremendous,complex and systematic project.Its success or failure depends not only on the transformation of the traditional old model of high-emission and high-growth development,which is formed in the industrialization process over a long period of time,into a new model of low-emission and high-growth development,which is adapted to the change of the times and the ecosystem.It also depends on the political will of countries around the world to jointly attach importance to and participate in tackling global climate change,and on more awareness and consensus among them to the importance and urgency to meet the challenge.Against this background,it is highly necessary to shape a multidimensional strategy for international cooperation and work out supplementary policies and practical measures.     

Notes for Contributors

<正>Global Review is a bilingual(Chinese and English) bimonthly in IR category,the first of the kind in China,published by SIIS and the co-publisher Shanghai Association of International Relations.We invite contributions submitted by Chinese as well as foreign scholars and practitioners that bearing on the subjects of building Chinese IR theories and policy proposals for China's foreign strategy and foreign policy.A column"Overseas essays"is so designed to carry foreign experts' articles in English or in Chinese.     

New Development in Global Politics and Rethinking on China’s Multilateral Diplomacy

The new developments in global politics exert three systemic impacts on international relations. Global issues, vital to the survival of mankind, rise to the top agenda of national governments. The epicenter of global power is shifting from U.S. and Europe to the rest of the regions. The global "political excitement and zeal" is rolling on. All exact more on the competence of global governance. The current international multilateral mechanisms are in "competence deficit", worsening either in terms of adequacy, validity or legitimacy. The call for the reform of it is ever soaring. China by the way is at once engaging in the multilateral diplomacy transforming the international system and facing the growing pressure of assuming "leadership" and "international responsibility". China needs to continuously adapt to the changed national identity in the multilateral diplomacy, to reconcile the multilateral mechanisms that deal with regions and domains in China’s strategic planning and laying-out, to organically associate the short-term and long-term goals and to upgrade the concept of harmonious world in the practice of multilateral diplomacy.     

Energy Security and Climate Change in the European Union,China and Latin American Relationships:Major Challenges and Areas of International Cooperation

The author discusses the subject in both ecological and political perspectives based on a most comprehensive,authoritative and updated bibliography.Hence,Latin America and the Caribbean(LAC) is as much diversified as there are sub-regions and regional organizations in geopolitical and geo-economical terms and often dialectic regarding energy security,climate change and LAC ties with Europeans and China and so is the tripartite relations with the rest of the world so far as energy security and climate cha...     

Abstracts

In recent years, the strategic values of the Arctic are increasingly recognized by the international community. The development of the Arctic is becoming the focus of interested parties. The sense and mechanism of cooperation among Arctic states themselves, as well as between Arctic and non-Arctic states, are gradually improving. However, contradictions and conflicts among related parties are not easy to eliminate. The role and influence of multilateral cooperation mechanism, such as the Arctic Council, is significantly enhanced. The Arctic Economic Council is to be established. Taking into consideration the above trends of the Arctic, the author puts forward his suggestions on China＇s participation in Arctic affairs. First, view opportunities and challenges that China faces regarding its participation in Arctic affairs in a rational and objective way, stick to the status of ＂near-Arctic State＂ and Arctic stake-holder as well as ＂Three Adherence＂ in Arctic affairs. Second, continue to establish and improve bilateral and multilateral platforms for Arctic cooperation, make good use of accredited observer status in the Arctic Council to involve deeply in Arctic cooperation and enhance Arctic scientific research. Third, formulate comprehensive and systematic Arctic policy, promote Arctic public diplomacy. Lastly, participate in Arctic developments in a cautious and trustworthy way, and make contributions to the peace, stability and sustainable development of the Arctic.     

Challenges and Opportunities for China-EU Comprehensive Strategic Partnership——from the Perspective of Different Ideas inside the EU on the China-EU Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Although the EU President Van Rompuy expresses the belief that the EU-China strategic partnership and the people-to-people friendship will continue to flourish,more and more European intellectuals express their doubts about the strategic partnerships of EU-China relations.The reasons for the doubts are firstly European scholars place more emphasis on the differences between China and EU in ideology and political system;secondly,they believe that the establishment of the strategic partnership between China and EU was the result of EU and its Member States having implemented an "unconditional engagement" with China;thirdly,a series of differences between China and the EU on issues like trade,Africa,climate change in recent years.However the different ideas towards China EU strategic partnership have caused the partnership to face challenges as well as significant opportunities for development.     

China’s Aid to Africa:Characteristics,Its Role and Challenges ahead

Started from 1956,China’s aid to Africa has been playing a very significant role for strengthening Sino-African ties as a whole.Generally speaking,take "the reform and opening-up" policy started from late 1970s as a line of demarcation,China’s aid policy to Africa can be divided into two periods in the half century.The driving force of China’s aid policy before the line was to strengthen the diplomatic and political ties with African countries.The focus of China’s aid policy after the line is to seek mutual economic cooperation and common development.Comparing with the Western approaches,the major characteristics of China’s aid policy to Africa are mainly three:the aid is provided with no strings attached,and emphasizing on bilateral aid projects rather than multilateral system,strong focus on "hardware projects" such as physical infrastructure construction rather than "software projects" like research and capacity building.In general,China’s aid to Africa has generated effective results and helped a lot for China’s involvement in Africa.However,it is also facing new challenges at the moment and future.     

Global Power Structure Shifted and Transitional Multi-polarity Emerged

The world is facing the third important global power shift.The United States,EU, Japan,Russia,China,and the newly emerging power group are becoming the six big forces in the international center stage,while the former three forces and the latter three belong to two groups,waning and waxing respectively.The major shift in the global balance of power is bound to give rise to the transitional multi-polar configuration,which implies a shifting of leadership over the configuration,China and U.S.outweighing other forces,global issues looming large,homogeneity blending with heterogeneity,and a shifting center of world powers.The transitional multi-polar configuration is all about change,upon which China is one of the decisive forces.     

Redefining a U.S.Strategy toward China:Smart Policy and its Implications

The redefinition of the U.S.policy toward China since Barack Obama’s election has been based on a compromise between elements of hard power(military,economy) and soft power(influence,dialogue,persuasion).This new posture has been defined by several experts and policymakers as a"smart policy".However,considering the rise of China and its implications both at economic and political levels,what is the real margin of Washington in its relation with Beijing,and what are the long term implications of the smart policy? If the China policy is a priority for the Obama administration,the challenges for Washington are particularly sensitive, considering the consequences of a failure in implementing comprehensive China-U.S.relations.     

Africa's Perspectives on China-Africa Relations and Forum on China-Africa Cooperation(FOCAC)

China is in Africa in a vigorous way,and doing business in several countries like Sudan,Congo DRC,Angola,South Africa,and Nigeria.In the short term,the relationship may appear to be mutually beneficial.This paper seeks to address the issue of Africa's perspectives on China-Africa Relations and the FOCAC and examine the concept of strategic partnerships,determine the state of China-Africa relations,examines FOCAC and draw conclusion as well as recommendation on possible ways and issues for future engageme...     

Notes for Contributors

Global Review is a bilingual(Chinese and English) bimonthly in IR category,the first of the kind in China,published by SIIS and the co-publisher Shanghai Association of International Relations.We invite contributions submitted by Chinese as well as foreign scholars and practitioners that bearing on the subjects of building Chinese IR theories and policy proposals for China’s     

Abstracts

European and U.S. Responses to China＇s Rise： Theory, Strategy, and Interaction
ZHAO Huaipu ＆ WANG Zhenling
In recent years, whether China can rise peacefully has been a central topic in the policy-making circles and academia of Europe and the United States. IR theorists of different schools have analyzed this topic through their respective paradigmatic prisms, and offered their suggestions on how to respond to China＇s rise. Theoretical debates have influenced and even guided the formulation of EU and American strategies on China＇s rise, as the elements of power, institution, culture and international community are all embedded in their specific strategies and policy responses. However, due to differences in their behavior, values, and soft and hard powers, they differ in the combination of theoretical elements in their strategies. As a result, even though the U.S. and the EU have similar goals regarding China＇s rise, their approaches are very different. With new changes in the international situation in the past few years, the EU and the U.S. have strengthened their interaction and coordination in their responses to China＇s rise. But because of insufficient hard power on the part of the EU and the differences in transatlantic Asia strategies, cooperation on their China strategies is still limited. China should support and push for stronger trilateral interaction and coordination, as this will help lessen joint pressure from the two and enhance China＇s influence in the international system.     

Abstracts

Strategic Adjustment of China＇s Diplomacy at a New Starting Point YANG Jiemian For more than one year after taking office, China＇s new leadership has largely inherited and continued the diplomatic strategy of its predecessor. On the other hand, given China＇s growing comprehensive national strength, increasing international challenges, and change of governments in the world including China, it has adjusted and enriched the substance of the strategy in a distinctive way. For example, the new leadership has specified strategic self-identification, updated strategic thinking, kept strategic composure, strengthened strategic initiative and planning, and developed strategic theories. China＇s diplomatic strategy requires further adjustment for the next decade to enhance theoretical innovation and execution, China＇s diplomacy will be conducted in a more active, pragmatic, and effective way and will thrive in meeting challenges and overcoming difficulties. China＇s strategic diplomacy needs to reflect the vision and logic of a rising global power, strengthen strategic construction based on practice and experience by further adjusting strategic objectives, building strategic cooperation networks, and deepening strategic theoretic studies. China＇s diplomatic strategy requires perspectives that are all-dimensional, diversified, and transcends space and time. It needs to take into account the changing and interacting internal and external environments to further consolidate and deepen domestic support. Finally, academic circles of IR and diplomatic studies should be driven by an acute and urgent sense of calling to construct and develop China＇s strategies within the diplomatic theoretical system with Chinese characteristics to enrich the variety of public goods provided by China to the international community.     

Abstracts

Seize and Exploit the Important Strategic Opportunity of China＇s, Development
The period of the ＂12th Five Year Plan＂ is key to China＇s effort to build the all-round well-off society, to deepen reform and opening-up, and to accelerate the transformation of the mode of economic development. By analyzing the new changes of the situation home and abroad, the CPC Central Committee has made two judgments： ＂China is still dwelling in the period of important strategic opportunity＂ and ＂China is facing both precious historic opportunities and challenges both predictable and unpredictable＂.     

Understanding China's Relations with Latin America

This essay deals with the fast growing Sino-Latin American relations,touching upon the issues of the importance of Latin America to China;pros and cons of the bilateral relations;the U.S.factor;the opportunities that might be emerged from the financial crisis for the bilateral relations;China's first policy paper towards the region;the overseas Chinese contribution to the bilateral relations;Taiwan problem;the so-called neo-colonialism and the role of Europe.     

A New Posture of International Arms Control and Disarmament

About one year on,international arms control and disarmament appeared to be rebounding to become an issue of great international attention,paralleling the issues of financial crisis and climate change.International nuclear disarmament re-dawned with high profile readjustments by the United States in its nuclear arms control policy and tactics.The US and Russia signed a new agreement of bilateral nuclear disarmament.Multilateral nuclear arms control has also softened,and the nuclear security issue loomed large.The Conference on the Review of Nuclear Non-proliferation was held,the main illustration of the adjustment by the US to its arms control policy and tactics.On balance,however,the US arms control and disarmament policies remain largely rhetorical,as its two strategic objectives of nuclear weapon policy--nuclear deterrence and non-proliferation--has been kept intact,and even intensified.     

On the Features of Contemporary Regrouping of International Forces

<正>The co-relation of international forces is evolving in favor of developing countries with emerging powers as their representatives,which is unprecedentedly shaking the Western powers' dominance of world affairs.The regrouping of international forces is forming the Four Groups of gaining,defending,losing and weakening forces.The Four Groups are coping with the global problems on their respective and common positions,greatly enriching the connotation of peace and development with contemporary dimension,and giving historical task of building international system to regional and sub-regional cooperation.Although the Four Groups are still in dynamic development with proper adjustments of formation within and between themselves with different issues and at different times,the emerging powers are gaining on as world trends.While on the road towards a global power,China needs to take Emerging Powers as its strategic backup and strive for greater rights of discourse and leading roles.However,the international society should be fully prepared both intellectually and physically for the prolonged,complicated and uneven processes of regrouping of international forces and the transforming of international system in the context of peaceful conditions.     

Evolving Thinking and Policies of China's Diplomacy and China-EU Relations

Evolutions and readjustment permeate China’s diplomatic policy in the six decades’ history of PRC, thanks to the tremendous changes happened to both the world and PRC. Enormous opportunities and challenges to China coincide in the present world. China and EU are rising with bigger role to play in the world, though daunting challenges to bilateral relations beckon.