The Times Australia
The Times News

.

China's global diplomatic approach is shifting, and Australia would do well to pay attention to it

  • Written by Tony Walker, Vice-chancellor's fellow, La Trobe University
China's global diplomatic approach is shifting, and Australia would do well to pay attention to it

In 1934, Mao Zedong’s embattled guerrilla forces began what was to prove an epic military withdrawal from southern China to a stronghold in the north of the country.

This became known as the Long March[1]. It enabled the Communists to break out of so-called “encirclement campaigns[2]” to fight another day against Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalists.

In Chinese Communist Party history, there is hardly a more indelible moment. It is certain to have been imprinted on the consciousness of Xi Jinping by his father Xi Zhongxun[3], a Mao-era military commissar and later a vice premier.

In Chinese history, there is hardly a more indelible moment than the Long March. www.schoolshistory.org.uk

Fast forward to 2021, and there have been signs in recent weeks of China seeking to reduce the risk of geopolitical isolation in its own diplomatic “long march” – to become the pre-eminent power in the Asia-Pacific and global rival to the US[4].

Sometimes forgotten in the ideological debate in the West about Beijing’s motivations under Xi is that Chinese leaders are pragmatists conditioned by ruthless internal Communist Party politics.

So a reasonable question now is whether Xi and his advisers have understood that the risks of overreach in China’s interactions with the outside world outweigh the benefits.

In other words, where lies the zero-sum game[5]?

Read more: New drives to counter China come with a major risk: throwing fuel on the Indo-Pacific arms race[6]

One aspect of Chinese statecraft to keep in mind is that Beijing will seek to get away with whatever it can.

Viewed from behind the vermilion walls of Zhongnanhai, Beijing’s leadership compound, American-led efforts to “contain” China[7] will have taken on some of the characteristics of an encirclement campaign.

Beijing’s reaction has been relatively muted, by its standards, to the recent announcement of the AUKUS alignment[8] between Australia, the UK and the US as a China containment front. But Chinese leaders will nonetheless view this as part of a latter-day encirclement campaign.

Likewise, the elevation of the Quad grouping[9] of the US, Japan, India and Australia would be seen in Beijing as a further example of US-led China containment architecture.

Beijing will see a recent meeting of the Quad in Washington as another example of encirclement. Sarahbeth Maney/EPA/AAP

Apart from the usual bluster[10] in Chinese Communist Party mouthpieces like the Global Times, what has been Beijing’s response to all this?

The short answer is that it has been engaging in some creative diplomacy to lessen risks of geopolitical isolation.

This has involved:

In Canberra policymaking circles, dominated by a national security establishment wedded to seeing China as a threat, the above developments might be weighed.

Read more: View from The Hill: For Morrison AUKUS is all about the deal, never mind the niceties[11]

In the case of Xi and Biden, the issue is not so much whether there is a thaw in Sino-US relations after the wrenching Donald Trump era. It is more about whether the world’s dominant powers can establish a relationship that enables reasonable dialogue and even co-operation.

In the Xi-Biden phone call on September 9, the two agreed there was too little communication between Beijing and Washington. It was followed this month by a six-hour in-person meeting in Zurich between National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi[12].

The upshot is that Xi and Biden will meet “virtually” within weeks.

Can US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping build a meaningful and productive relationship? Lintao Zhang/AP/AAP

Significantly, Biden in his conversation with Xi reiterated America’s commitment to the spirit of the Shanghai communique[13] that enabled the issue of Taiwan to be set aside.

This should be regarded as a positive development.

In Beijing’s dealings with the European Union, the several sessions with top European officials conducted in late September by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi are notable.

Wang’s strategic dialogue with Josep Borell, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, followed discussions with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

These were aimed at clearing the air after strong criticism and censure in Europe of China’s mistreatment of its Uighur minority, and arguments over Taiwan.

In another important development, Xi was due last Friday to speak with European Council President Charles Michel.

On Wednesday of last week, the Chinese leader held a “friendly” phone call[14] with outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The two discussed preparations for the G20 summit in Rome[15], climate change issues ahead of COP26 and the European Union’s stalled investment agreement with China[16].

The latter has been interrupted because of tensions between Beijing and Brussels on the Uighur issue and other stresses.

This flurry of diplomatic activity could not contrast more sharply with the deep freeze[17] in relations between Beijing and Canberra, with high-level contacts at ministerial level suspended.

Perhaps most significant of recent China’s diplomatic manoeuvres has been its request to join the CPTPP, which groups 11 Asia-Pacific countries in a trade bloc.

Read more: Australia has a great chance to engage in trade diplomacy with China, and it must take it[18]

The Obama administration originally conceived of the CPTPP as a means of pressuring China on trade and security issues. Trump’s abandonment of the trade bloc has enabled China to make a bid for membership.

The Australian government has said China could not be considered for membership[19] until it relaxes its punitive trade campaign against Australian exports. Individual members have veto power over new entrants.

In any case, Beijing would have difficulty meeting the trade-liberalisation requirements of the CPTPP.

On the other hand, China’s request for membership simultaneously with that of Taiwan renews focus on regional trade agreements in which Beijing is active.

China joined the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) last year and is a principal sponsor of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

The release of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou back to China has removed a major diplomatic hurdle between Beijing and Washington. Darryl Dyck/AP/AAP

On the diplomatic front, the deal enabling Huawei’s Meng Wanzhou’s return to China[20] from Vancouver in a hostage swap removed a significant irritation in US-China ties.

Finally, China’s announcement it was ending its funding of coal-fired power stations abroad was clearly aimed at window-dressing its patchy performance on climate issues[21] ahead of the G20 summit in Rome and COP26 in Glasgow.

These diplomatic shifts do not necessarily amount to a breakout moment for China in its troubled relationship with the international community. But it would be a mistake for countries like Australia to assume China will continue to alienate a wider international community if it believes its actions are proving inimical to its own interests.

References

  1. ^ Long March (afe.easia.columbia.edu)
  2. ^ encirclement campaigns (www.cambridge.org)
  3. ^ Xi Zhongxun (thediplomat.com)
  4. ^ pre-eminent power in the Asia-Pacific and global rival to the US (www.rand.org)
  5. ^ zero-sum game (www.afr.com)
  6. ^ New drives to counter China come with a major risk: throwing fuel on the Indo-Pacific arms race (theconversation.com)
  7. ^ “contain” China (carnegieendowment.org)
  8. ^ AUKUS alignment (www.nytimes.com)
  9. ^ Quad grouping (www.cfr.org)
  10. ^ usual bluster (www.globaltimes.cn)
  11. ^ View from The Hill: For Morrison AUKUS is all about the deal, never mind the niceties (theconversation.com)
  12. ^ National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi (www.nytimes.com)
  13. ^ America’s commitment to the spirit of the Shanghai communique (www.abc.net.au)
  14. ^ “friendly” phone call (www.dw.com)
  15. ^ G20 summit in Rome (www.g20.utoronto.ca)
  16. ^ stalled investment agreement with China (www.china-briefing.com)
  17. ^ deep freeze (www.afr.com)
  18. ^ Australia has a great chance to engage in trade diplomacy with China, and it must take it (theconversation.com)
  19. ^ China could not be considered for membership (www.afr.com)
  20. ^ Huawei’s Meng Wanzhou’s return to China (www.bbc.com)
  21. ^ patchy performance on climate issues (asiasociety.org)

Read more https://theconversation.com/chinas-global-diplomatic-approach-is-shifting-and-australia-would-do-well-to-pay-attention-to-it-169930

Times Magazine

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Times Features

Tricia Paoluccio designer to the stars

The Case for Nuturing Creativity in the Classroom, and in our Lives I am an actress and an artist who has had the privilege of sharing my work across many countries, touring my ...

Duke of Dural to Get Rooftop Bar as New Owners Invest in Venue Upgrade

The Duke of Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, is set for a major uplift under new ownership, following its acquisition by hospitality group Good Beer Company this week. Led by resp...

Prefab’s Second Life: Why Australia’s Backyard Boom Needs a Circular Makeover

The humble granny flat is being reimagined not just as a fix for housing shortages, but as a cornerstone of circular, factory-built architecture. But are our systems ready to s...

Melbourne’s Burglary Boom: Break-Ins Surge Nearly 25%

Victorian homeowners are being warned to act now, as rising break-ins and falling arrest rates paint a worrying picture for suburban safety. Melbourne residents are facing an ...

Exploring the Curriculum at a Modern Junior School in Melbourne

Key Highlights The curriculum at junior schools emphasises whole-person development, catering to children’s physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. It ensures early year...

Distressed by all the bad news? Here’s how to stay informed but still look after yourself

If you’re feeling like the news is particularly bad at the moment, you’re not alone. But many of us can’t look away – and don’t want to. Engaging with news can help us make ...