Rise of China: The Path of Growth for an Eastern Giant

Author: Guo Wanchao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-10-01
Features: A recent report from U.S. Goldman Sachs points out that in the next 50 years, a group of developing major countries, including China, India, and Russia, will gradually rise, leading to the emergence of a new global economic landscape. Existing geopolitical and geoeconomic plates will undergo fragmentation. However, it is regrettable that China, as a developing major country, holds a position and influence in the international political and economic system that far does not match its capabilities and growth momentum. Major countries still dominate the rule-making process, while traditional developing countries emphasize the interests of small nations. Developing major countries remain in a dilemma of whether to be proactive or passive. In international competition, they have become the "silent big players." This situation must be changed as soon as possible. As developing major countries, they must adjust their international strategies, bravely participate in the formulation of international rules, and promptly transition their roles in integrating into the global economy. Their international strategies should shift from inward-looking to outward-looking, emphasizing proactive measures and expanding strategic interests. The author places China's peaceful rise within a global perspective, highlighting that China's "peaceful rise" is a major, world-wide issue of the 21st century and an unavoidable strategic proposition. Studying this topic is not only necessary to respond to various erroneous arguments such as the "China Threat Theory," "Abnormal State Theory," "China Collapse Theory," and "China Mystery Theory," but also essential to explore the major opportunities and challenges China faces in its rise, as well as the strategic and tactical requirements it must fulfill. Accepting the term "rise" as an international vocabulary reflects China's more mature and confident attitude as a major country, demonstrates the new leadership collective, showcases major innovations in China's national strategic thinking, and provides a new strategic guideline for China to integrate into the global economy and accelerate its own development.