The impact of a changing China on international security

Abstract

The study focuses on the 18th CPC Congress as a milestone in China’s development, affecting the country’s internal stability, strategic priorities, international standing and general impact on security issues. It comes to the conclusion that China’s rise is the most significant element in the rearrangement of the global great power relations. An analysis is provided concerning China’s grand strategy that is aimed at the improvement of the so called Comprehensive National Power, especially its „soft” power element (which the author prefers to consider as an „intensive” factor). The study stipulates that the specific characteristics of the Chinese economic and social system can not be limited to the leading role of the CPC and the dominance of the state-ownership or the government direction of the economy. Instead of these, the most unique element of the Chinese system is the (intended) harmony of the aforementioned factors with the system of multiparty cooperation, political consultation and market economy principles. Based on the annual Pentagon report, the study touches upon the opportunities and risks of the increase of the Chinese military capabilities. It draws the conclusion that the main element of the international situation is the bilateral relationship between the U.S. and China. The U.S. follows Chinese developments with close attention and reacts to them actively. There is a great potential in the cooperation of these two giants based on mutual respect and benefits. The U.S. will develop mil to mil relations with China, but in the meantime she will maintain its military presence and readiness posture in the
Asia-Pacific region, preparing for any future contingencies.