Social Sciences in China (Chinese Edition)

No.3, 2019

The Transformation of the International Order and China’s Choices

(Abstract)

Tang Shiping

Since the global financial crisis of 2008, there has been a noticeable increase in domestic and foreign discussion of the current and future American/Western-based international order, but the relevant research findings not only lack a framework for assessing the operability of the international order but also lack case-studies giving an empirical analysis of its historical transformation. Our paper constructs a relatively complete definition and assessment framework for the international order, providing case-studies of major changes in that order since 1800 and offering the following options for China: namely, China will be a “builder of world peace, contributor to global development and keeper of international order.” As long as we can be sure that no outside country will impede the country’s economic growth; and that growth will tend to depend more on domestic reform and opening up, what we need to do is to retain calm and manage our domestic affairs in accord with reform and opening up, while as far as possible promoting steady improvement in the international order jointly with other countries and non-state actors, with benefits for the world.