China: Historical and Contemporary Policies in Southeast Asia

Abstract

The previous chapter examined, in the context of a possible power transition, whether China’s attitudes and behavior are those of a dissatisfied power, along with domestic determinants of behavior and the likely impact of increasing interdependence in the international system. This chapter will examine in more detail Chinese historical and contemporary policies and the factors that have determined them, with emphasis on applicability to Southeast Asia. The current China differs from traditional China, and the current international environment is far different from the environment in which China existed for most of its history. Neo-realists would argue that the system in which a state exists is allimportant in determining its behavior, but the assumption here is that the history of a state shapes its culture and attitudes as well as aspects of its (unique) international behavior. China’s history will have an impact on its role as a challenger to the international status quo.