Rise of China (The Path of Growth of an Eastern Giant)

Author: Guo Wanchao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-10-01
Features: A recent report from U.S. Goldman Sachs indicates that in the next 50 years, a group of developing major countries, including China, India, and Russia, will gradually rise, leading to a new global economic landscape. Existing geopolitical and geoeconomic plates will experience fragmentation. Unfortunately, China, as a developing major country, holds a position and influence in the international political and economic system that is far disproportionate to 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 transform 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 country theory," "China collapse theory," and "China mystery theory," but also essential to explore the significant 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 guide for China to integrate into the global economy and accelerate its own development.