Domestic Roots of China's Foreign and Security Policy

Abstract

Nuances of China's foreign and security policy should be traced to domestic factors like state-society relationship, economic reforms and political stability. And clearly domestic priorities will affect the choices that China makes in the first quarter of this century. Domestic political and economic changes have expanded China's notions of security and transformed its foreign policy and strategic priorities. As a result, the objectives of China's foreign policy, as well as the tactics and strategies employed to achieve these, have changed. Most important, however, has been the impact on the policy choices that China has made, and will likely make, to achieve its foreign policy objectives. These policy choices will significantly affect the strategic environment in the region, especially for neighbours like India who have an increasing stake in regional stability and the extension of their regional and global influence.