Suchergebnisse

"Auf den ersten Blick scheint China eine Weltmacht und fest in das internationale System integriert. Tatsächlich spielt die Volksrepublik in der Diplomatie meist nur eine passive Rolle, ist eher halbherzig bei der Sache und hat lediglich seine Wirtschaftsinteressen im Blick. Die Verantwortung, die ihr als zweiter Macht der Welt zukommt, trägt sie nicht." (Autorenreferat)

The worst thing Washington could do is to operate on autopilot, to assume that past strategies and policies (which have generally served the United States well) are ipso facto indefinitely useful.

China's diplomacy is among the many accomplishments of China during the period of reform and opening up. The People's Republic of China is emerging fully on to the world's stage, and in a largely positive fashion. It now has both interests and a presence in parts of the world completely new to China-such as Latin America and the Middle East. Beijing has managed its relations well with the major world powers-United States, Russia, and the European Union. It has transformed its regional diplomacy in Asia, reasserted a role in Africa, and has become more active in multilateral organizations. Thirty years ago, at the outset of the "reform and opening" era, China acted hesitantly on the world stage, limiting itself largely to its united front tactics against Soviet "social imperialism." Its diplomats were not very sophisticated and rarely left their embassies abroad. In the United Nations, China's preferred medium of voting was to abstain (especially on sensitive issues). In short, China's diplomacy was hesitant and not confident, inward-looking not outward looking, parochial and not sophisticated, reactive not proactive, and composed more of words than deeds. Today, these latter characterizations better describe China's diplomacy.

It is an honour and pleasure to join in this commemorative symposium of the 50th anniversary of The China Quarterly, still the field's flagship journal. The journal is entering its "middle age" in fine form. Like most who turn 50, The China Quarterly has had its ups and downs, its signature moments and trying times, but has sustained itself with a sense of purpose and strong identity, supported by its extended family (contributors, readers, staff and editorial board). The China Quarterly has been a living chronicle and window for the world to view one of the most important countries on earth. The China Quarterly has much to be proud of over the past half century, but journal's best days hopefully still lie ahead.