Pearls and Irritations

Leading international relations scholar Wang Jisi from Peking University, who just met Kurt Campbell, urges Beijing not to make new enemies, focus on domestic affairs, & maintain confidence in peaceful reunification.

The Institute of International and Strategic Studies (IISS), Peking University, reported on October 25 that Wang Jisi, its Founding President and a PKU professor, visited the U.S. from October 7 to 16.

The report includes a long, eye-catching list of who’s who in America’s China policy establishment. Notable current officials who met Wang include Kurt Campbell, his Chief of Staff Leah Bray, and Mark Lambert at the State Department, Ely Ratner at the Pentagon, and Sarah Beran at the White House National Security Council.

In the perhaps highest-profile, non-official visit by a Chinese scholar to the U.S. in recent memory, Wang also met Kevin Rudd, the current Australian Ambassador to the U.S., and Stephen Hadley, James Steinberg, Stephen E. Biegun, Susan Thornton, Craig Allen, Thomas Friedman, Ryan Hass, Derek Scissors, Christopher Johnson, Jing Qian, Scott Kennedy, Yun Sun, Jessica Chen Weiss, Rick Waters, Jeremie Waterman, Daniel Kurtz-Phelan, Daniel Russel, Rush Doshi, and Evan Greenberg.

Well, if all these people want to meet him, perhaps you are interested in what he published recently. In October 28’s Journal of Liaoning University, Wang wrote a 7,400-word essay. I’ll just translate the last part below – his public advice for Beijing on foreign policy.

Global political trends and China’s national security

4. Recognise Trends and Meet Challenges

Compared to the period of rapid globalisation following the Cold War, China now faces a world that is more turbulent, chaotic, fragmented, and unpredictable. The international environment has grown increasingly complex and challenging, requiring a multifaceted strategic approach.

First, China’s “path of peaceful development” remains highly relevant and should be adhered to over the long term. Following this path means upholding the principle of “peaceful reunification, one country, two systems” regarding Taiwan and reinforcing the confidence that “the momentum and tide of history are advancing the forces for national unification.” Although the Democratic Progressive Party’s Lai Ching-te has assumed office in Taiwan and continues to express “Taiwan independence” sentiments, the military balance remains in the mainland’s favor and increasingly so. Taiwan’s number of diplomatic allies is shrinking, and its public is reluctant to pursue independence at the risk of war. While certain U.S. politicians openly support “Taiwan independence,” the main political currents and public opinion in the U.S. continue to endorse the “One-China” policy without supporting Taiwan’s independence. China must therefore intensify efforts to deter separatism while maintaining confidence in the future of “peaceful reunification, one country, two systems.”

In international affairs, China must continue to champion peaceful development, working to improve the existing international order and protect the interests of developing countries. The comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Russia should be continued, and China must also make sincere efforts to promote peace in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Any escalation or prolonged stalemate in this conflict would significantly weaken Russia’s position of strength and harm China’s strategic interests, posing major challenges to both peace and development. Additionally, the significance of the Israel-Palestine issue to the Middle East peace process should be emphasised, with continued close collaboration with Middle Eastern countries to seek a political resolution to the Palestinian question.

Second, China should adopt a firmly integrated approach to domestic and international considerations. As interactions between domestic and international affairs intensify, many domestic policies also serve as international ones, while domestic and international messaging increasingly overlap. International challenges often translate into domestic ones. To influence global perspectives and policies toward China and foster a favorable international environment, China’s priority must be getting its domestic affairs right, thereby reshaping the world through internal progress.

Finally, although the U.S. has designated China as a long-term competitor within a containment strategy, elements within American politics continue to support stability in U.S.-China relations and cooperation in trade and other areas. China should leverage these positive dynamics. Additionally, efforts should be made to improve relations with U.S. allies and partners, including the EU, UK, Japan, South Korea, and Australia, carefully managing existing differences to minimise friction. Strengthening ties with India, Brazil, South Africa, and other developing nations is also essential, as is expanding China’s influence within international frameworks such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and continuing to play an active role in the United Nations. Enlarging China’s circle of friends and reducing opposition is essential for safeguarding national security.

Republished from Pekingology, 31 October, 2024

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