A Hierarchical Vision of Order: Understanding Chinese Foreign Policy in Asia

China’s vision for international order is a matter of great global interest. This book analyses China’s vision for foreign policy and how it is seeking to achieve its goals with its immediate neighbours. The book provides a historically informed account by examining the legacy of China’s imperial past and traditional political philosophy, giving insights into the country’s view of its place in today’s world. It argues that China today sees the maintenance of order as its own responsibility and that it believes this order needs to attribute different roles to ‘small’ and ‘big’ states to ensure stability. Furthermore, it explores the different tools China employs to achieve its vision, including a proactive diplomacy, the control of international discourse, threat of punishment for ‘misbehaviour’, and the promise of economic benefits in return for compliance.