Acta Universitatis Danubius. Relationes Internationales, Vol 9, No 2 (2016)

Abstract

Our globalised world is prone to complex challenges affecting mankind. As an ancient saying goes- China is an old civilised nation endowed with a new mission.  However, this new mission here is referred to as the “Chinese Dream” and can only be accomplished in a peaceful environment.  The concept of peaceful rise is perhaps the most important Chinese foreign policy intended to shape the global architecture.  The Chinese agenda of global sustainable peace and development is delicately interwoven with the peaceful rise concept, which can be plainly interpreted as an adherence to existing international norms and an obligation to respecting prevailing global norms.  This paper investigates China’s agenda of peaceful rise and development to provide an in-depth and evidence-based analysis of the new policy thinking and its tenets.  The study revealed that China tries to manifest the policy thinking in five major foreign policies namely: (1) Peaceful Development; (2) New Model of Major-country Relations; (3) Neighbourhood Diplomacy; (4) Cooperation with Developing Countries; and (5) Multilateral Relations.  These doctrines have assisted China in establishing itself as a part of the international society and an integral part of the global system.  This paper also examines the role of China at the United Nations, which is a priority for China’s foreign strategy in the new century.  Moreover, this paper will discuss the challenges China will have to face in developing new standards on global governance for the 21st century.  Finally, the paper will assess whether the new mission, “Chinese Dream”, is on the right path to accomplish sustainable peace and development.