China’s rise is a challenge more to its neighbours than to the Global Order. To what
extent do you agree?
China’s historic rise throughout the past century has dramatically altered the
economic, geopolitical, and diplomatic framework of Asia and the world. Since Deng
Xiaoping’s economic reforms in 1978, China has transformed from a largely isolated,
agriculture-based society to the world’s second largest economy and an instrumental
global power. This transformation reflects not only economic development, but
diplomatic assertiveness and military modernization alongside it. The extent to which
China’s rise presents a challenge greater to its neighbours than global order is a
complex and layered question within IR.
Whilst China’s activity has created regional unease, particularly within maritime
activities as well as military expansions, its ever-growing dominance globally
suggests a more extensive and lasting transformation through the international
framework. This essay will argue that whilst the most visible and present
consequences of China’s rise may remain significantly regional regarding military
tensions in particular, its long-term effect on global order becomes increasingly
evident and pressing through economic ties and international presence.
Regional Security and Military Challenge
China’s rise to power has most notably developed in regional military dominance,
heightening worries amongst neighbouring states over security and sovereignty. The
South and East China Seas lie at the heart of this issue. China’s assertive territorial
ambitions, most clearly expressed through the ‘nine-dash line’, has further sparked
conflicts with other nations such as Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Also, the
creation of artificial islands in the Spratly Islands, as well as the confrontation with
the Philippines at Scarborough Shoal in 2012, have caused concern amongst the
ASEAN nations, revealing Beijing's readiness to assert its claims aggressively. As
noted by the National Bureau of Asian Research, 'China has been persistent in
flexing its military muscle and economic might', further exacerbating concerns among
its regional neighbours (Wong, 2024).
These regional dynamics are only further complicated by the Taiwan issue, which
prevails as one of the most critical conflict areas in the Asia-Pacific. Beijing deems
“Taiwan as a breakaway province that will eventually be under Beijing's control - and
has not ruled out the use of force to take the island” (BBC, 2024). This perception
has substantially heightened military pressure through airspace breaches and major
joint operations near the Taiwan Strait, aimed at obstructing any movement towards
Taiwanese independence. At the same time, the weakening of the United States
long term strategic ambiguity, as well as heightened visits from Western officials and
expanded arms sales to Taiwan has further compelled China to take a more
confrontational stance. Taiwan’s strong democratic identity, resilient military
capabilities and its ever-growing international support from multiple countries
including Japan and Australia have only deepened the geopolitical risks associated
with this unresolved issue.
, Elsewhere in the region, India has become increasingly alarmed about China’s
growing geopolitical presence due to the so-called ‘String of Pearls’ strategy
becoming progressively more real. Infrastructure projects such as the Gwadar Port in
Pakistan or the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka is viewed by New Delhi as a bid to
encircle India and restrain its influence. In 2020, both countries clashed at the
Galwan Valley with at least 20 soldiers reported dead. This only displays the
intensifying Sino-India relations and highlights the challenge China’s rise possesses
to its neighbours. These developments highlight that China’s military dominance and
territorial claims pose a critical problem towards its neighbours who respond with
alliances and strategies to counterbalance Beijing's growing power.
Global Economic and Institutional Impact
Whilst its clear regional issues dominate most international headlines, China’s rise
carries profound and far-reaching consequences for global order. Since China’s
arrival to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001, it has become a central
component in global supply chains and trade flows as “130 countries traded more
with China than they did with the U.S” (Allison, 2022). This remarkable level of
economic integration underpins the foundation of China’s global influence. Although
China remains a key part of Western designed institutions such as the WTO and
IMF, it has progressively worked to establish other frameworks to lessen its reliance
on Western dominance. Beijing has tried to achieve this through establishments
such as The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) or the New Development
Bank (NDB) to offer alternative development financing options, independent from
western imposed constraints. The active involvement of US allies such as Germany
and the UK within the AIIB further highlights China’s capacity to influence global
financial order within and beyond existing frameworks.
The Belt and Road initiative (BRI) serves as China’s most ambitious economic and
geopolitical project within the modern age. Launched in 2013, its aim is to boost
global connectivity through funding and constructing various infrastructures including
ports, railways, and energy pipelines across the world. Critics' views on this project
are largely divided. Whilst some believe it is a long overdue infrastructure
development, others believe ‘China is supporting infrastructure projects in
strategically located developing countries, often by extending huge loans to their
governments. As a result, some of these countries are becoming saddled with debt,
leaving them even more firmly under China's thumb” (Chellaney, 2017). The
enormous scope BRI holds, has allowed China to extend its economic influence
within key regions, heightening countries dependence on Chinese investment,
transforming global trade routes and supply chains.
China’s rise embodies a complex challenge that impacts its neighbours more
acutely, however its long-term strategic vision presents a significant challenge
towards global order. Unlike the U.S., whose foreign policy often shifts with
administrations, China has demonstrated a remarkable consistency towards
advancing its global ambitions. The BRI exemplifies this long-term plan through their
heavy investment towards infrastructure and connectivity across the globe,
deepening the dependency of neighbouring countries, but also slowly reshaping
global trade routes in its favour. This patient and calculated expansion contrasts
extent do you agree?
China’s historic rise throughout the past century has dramatically altered the
economic, geopolitical, and diplomatic framework of Asia and the world. Since Deng
Xiaoping’s economic reforms in 1978, China has transformed from a largely isolated,
agriculture-based society to the world’s second largest economy and an instrumental
global power. This transformation reflects not only economic development, but
diplomatic assertiveness and military modernization alongside it. The extent to which
China’s rise presents a challenge greater to its neighbours than global order is a
complex and layered question within IR.
Whilst China’s activity has created regional unease, particularly within maritime
activities as well as military expansions, its ever-growing dominance globally
suggests a more extensive and lasting transformation through the international
framework. This essay will argue that whilst the most visible and present
consequences of China’s rise may remain significantly regional regarding military
tensions in particular, its long-term effect on global order becomes increasingly
evident and pressing through economic ties and international presence.
Regional Security and Military Challenge
China’s rise to power has most notably developed in regional military dominance,
heightening worries amongst neighbouring states over security and sovereignty. The
South and East China Seas lie at the heart of this issue. China’s assertive territorial
ambitions, most clearly expressed through the ‘nine-dash line’, has further sparked
conflicts with other nations such as Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Also, the
creation of artificial islands in the Spratly Islands, as well as the confrontation with
the Philippines at Scarborough Shoal in 2012, have caused concern amongst the
ASEAN nations, revealing Beijing's readiness to assert its claims aggressively. As
noted by the National Bureau of Asian Research, 'China has been persistent in
flexing its military muscle and economic might', further exacerbating concerns among
its regional neighbours (Wong, 2024).
These regional dynamics are only further complicated by the Taiwan issue, which
prevails as one of the most critical conflict areas in the Asia-Pacific. Beijing deems
“Taiwan as a breakaway province that will eventually be under Beijing's control - and
has not ruled out the use of force to take the island” (BBC, 2024). This perception
has substantially heightened military pressure through airspace breaches and major
joint operations near the Taiwan Strait, aimed at obstructing any movement towards
Taiwanese independence. At the same time, the weakening of the United States
long term strategic ambiguity, as well as heightened visits from Western officials and
expanded arms sales to Taiwan has further compelled China to take a more
confrontational stance. Taiwan’s strong democratic identity, resilient military
capabilities and its ever-growing international support from multiple countries
including Japan and Australia have only deepened the geopolitical risks associated
with this unresolved issue.
, Elsewhere in the region, India has become increasingly alarmed about China’s
growing geopolitical presence due to the so-called ‘String of Pearls’ strategy
becoming progressively more real. Infrastructure projects such as the Gwadar Port in
Pakistan or the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka is viewed by New Delhi as a bid to
encircle India and restrain its influence. In 2020, both countries clashed at the
Galwan Valley with at least 20 soldiers reported dead. This only displays the
intensifying Sino-India relations and highlights the challenge China’s rise possesses
to its neighbours. These developments highlight that China’s military dominance and
territorial claims pose a critical problem towards its neighbours who respond with
alliances and strategies to counterbalance Beijing's growing power.
Global Economic and Institutional Impact
Whilst its clear regional issues dominate most international headlines, China’s rise
carries profound and far-reaching consequences for global order. Since China’s
arrival to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001, it has become a central
component in global supply chains and trade flows as “130 countries traded more
with China than they did with the U.S” (Allison, 2022). This remarkable level of
economic integration underpins the foundation of China’s global influence. Although
China remains a key part of Western designed institutions such as the WTO and
IMF, it has progressively worked to establish other frameworks to lessen its reliance
on Western dominance. Beijing has tried to achieve this through establishments
such as The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) or the New Development
Bank (NDB) to offer alternative development financing options, independent from
western imposed constraints. The active involvement of US allies such as Germany
and the UK within the AIIB further highlights China’s capacity to influence global
financial order within and beyond existing frameworks.
The Belt and Road initiative (BRI) serves as China’s most ambitious economic and
geopolitical project within the modern age. Launched in 2013, its aim is to boost
global connectivity through funding and constructing various infrastructures including
ports, railways, and energy pipelines across the world. Critics' views on this project
are largely divided. Whilst some believe it is a long overdue infrastructure
development, others believe ‘China is supporting infrastructure projects in
strategically located developing countries, often by extending huge loans to their
governments. As a result, some of these countries are becoming saddled with debt,
leaving them even more firmly under China's thumb” (Chellaney, 2017). The
enormous scope BRI holds, has allowed China to extend its economic influence
within key regions, heightening countries dependence on Chinese investment,
transforming global trade routes and supply chains.
China’s rise embodies a complex challenge that impacts its neighbours more
acutely, however its long-term strategic vision presents a significant challenge
towards global order. Unlike the U.S., whose foreign policy often shifts with
administrations, China has demonstrated a remarkable consistency towards
advancing its global ambitions. The BRI exemplifies this long-term plan through their
heavy investment towards infrastructure and connectivity across the globe,
deepening the dependency of neighbouring countries, but also slowly reshaping
global trade routes in its favour. This patient and calculated expansion contrasts
