Chinese conduct of foreign relations is largely based on the Five Principles of

Peaceful Coexistence. Discuss.

The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, an agreement signed by Jawaharlal
Nehru and Zhou En Lai in 1954, is a principle Beijing has constantly referred to after
1978 to explain its own diplomatic stance, perhaps to pacify fears over a rising
China which may be seen as a hostile force to certain countries. While Beijings
diplomatic conduct so far has for the most part been true to its Five Principles of
Peaceful Co-existence, as China becomes more economic interest expands, it is
difficult for them not to be more assertive at securing their expanding interests
overseas. Nevertheless, this essay seeks to argue that Chinese conduct of foreign
relations is largely based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence because in
spite of the occasional expansionistic tendencies of China, there is still a clear trend
that Beijing is holding true to this principle.
The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistenceis the basis of Chinas diplomatic
doctrine because as a well-calculated strategy and realistic doctrine,it is the most
realistic path that could direct a developing China to global greatness, while stirring
the least opposition. To attain great power status, China needs to maintain peaceful
international conditions that enable it to focus on domestic development. Chinese
leaders from Deng to Xi have repeated stressed Beijing commitment to Peaceful
Development that China would not become a hegemonic power even as it turns
stronger. China focus on aggressive economic reforms has result its adoption of
peace and development as central themes of diplomacy. Peace and stability
facilitate progress in economic diplomacy by opening up markets and attracting
investments. China continues to concentrate on improving relations, engaging in
constructive dialogue, normalizing and managing of historical issues with other
countries. The Chinese leaders want to improve Chinas image in the international
community such that it can become a great power.
Moreover, adherence to Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence allows China to
gain more strategicallyas it advocates peaceful negotiations over armed conflicts in
its dealings with other countries. China is aware that handling of territorial claims
will affect is international credibility. Hence, Chinas conduct of foreign policy
alternates between heavy and soft approaches. China has consistently rejected
armed intervention in the affairs of other states. Beijing has repeated affirmed its
no-first use pledge on nuclear weapons. Except battles against Vietnamese up till
1988, which to the Chinese are for self defense, Beijing advocated negotiations
over military confrontation in all in territorial disputes. Beijing has diffused potential
armed tensions with Southeast Asia through the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation
with ASEAN.
Furthermore, adherence to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistencesafeguards
Chinas national sovereignty and security from foreign intervention. National
security includes the maintenance of Chinas resources and energy lifelines that
support its economic growth. In this respect, the Chinese have been proactively
allying with and investing even in countries that are inherently politically unstable.
This explains for Chinas strong bond with rogue states such as Myanmar and North
Korea, which protects its flank. The CCP also views Chinas territorial integrity of the
highest importance, eg recovering territories previously considered part of China

like Taiwan. The CCP serves as guardian of the Chinese nation and nationalism. This
image is strengthened in response to decreasing legitimacy of CCP. It was
increasingly used in post Tiannanmen period because of fears of disunity and
disorder in a post-communist world. Beijing has reacted aggressively and even with
hostilities in matters where is sovereignty is infringed, such as the 2010 dispute
with Japan over Diaoyu Islands with America over its weapon sales to Taiwan. This
has resulted in the consistently spectacular increase in Chinas defense spending.
Pragmatic nationalism can be continually adapted to fit the needs of political
authorities. For examples, the use of nationalism could also backfire with overenthusiastic people, poor and angry people or separatist movements taking
advantage if nationalism is based on demagogy or invoke restoring ancient sphere
of Chinese influence.
As the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistenceis a non-interventionist diplomatic
doctrine, it also grants China the freedom to secure friendship and stability in
international environment.A friendly and sable international environment is in
Chinas interest as it would facilitate the countrys domestic development and rise
as a great economic power. China needs countries around the world as markets for
its products, suppliers of technology, capital, energy and resources to power its
economic growth. A hostile global environment would not only deny China access to
economic prosperity, but could also threaten its security and upset its domestic
stability. Beijing therefore has been downplaying all claims that it is an ambitious
power striving for regional and subsequent global hegemony. This explains for
Chinas insistence on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, multipolarism and
aggressive propagation of its soft power.
However, in order to present itself as a responsible member of the global
community, the Chinese would sometimes betray their non-interventionist policy.
China has participated actively in the 6-party talks involving South and North Korea,
the USA, Japan and Russia, in bid to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. In October
2009, Premier Wen visited North Korea in hope to dissuade North Korea from
continuing its nuclear programs. In 2009, China also agreed to economically
sanction North Korea.
Moreover, when the doctrine contradicts their need to assert territorial claims,China
would not always abide by their peaceful diplomatic doctrine.China has
demonstrated her assertiveness in the global search for natural resources and
energy needs by fiercely contesting for territories rich in energy around her
periphery even though they have always and for a long time not been part of
Chinas domestic concern. From the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea with
Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Philippines to the Senkaku Islands or Diaoyutai with
Japan in the East China Sea, China has involved itself in a range of conflicts over
territories with its neighbor to acquire energy. For fear that Taiwan may declare
independence with the support of the US, Beijing has issued war threat to Taiwan.
Besides, as Chinas overseas interests expand,the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence is becoming gradually irrelevant. Given the need to strengthen legitimacy
via sustaining economic growth, in search for energy, China inadvertently would
have to compete with major powers over energy resources, which is also vital for
their economic development. As such, Chinas entrance into the crude oil market in

the Middle East whichwas traditionally US dominated had also incurred the irritation
of the West. Due to the vested-interest, PLA has repeatedly incurred the borders of
India over the Himalayas. China has a nine-dotted claim over South China Sea.
China persistently refused to resolve its dispute over territories in the East and
South China Seas through arbitration at the International Court of Justice.
In conclusion, Beijings diplomatic conduct so far has for the most part been true to
its Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence.However, as China becomes more
economic interest expands, it is difficult for them not to be more assertive at
securing their expanding interests overseas. NeverthelessChinese conduct of
foreign relations is largely based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence
because in spite of the occasional expansionistic tendencies of China, there is still a
clear trend that Beijing is holding true to this principle.