CHINESE GRAND STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION AFTER 1990: GOALS, TOOLS, PHASES

Abstract

This article is the second part on the issue of China’s Grand Strategy. It reveals the dramatic shift in the country’s grand strategy under Xi Jinping’s leadership, namely from 2017. Now it’s crucial to move away from the obsolete understanding of China. Beijing’s consideration comes through the lens of Chinese own geostrategic clash with the USA over global leadership, launched by China after 1990. Despite increased cooperation with the USA during Deng Xiaoping rule, Beijing perceived America as the competitor. Especially after the USSR collapse, US-encouraged efforts to “liberalize” China in 1989 and Gulf War in the Middle East, which convinced Beijing of the American determination to sustain its hegemony by hard force. Chinese Grand Strategy has its goals, tools – political, economic, military means, and three main phases: blunting, building, expansion. All of them are in detail scrutinized in this paper. Against the background of the Russo-Ukrainian war, Beijing continues to maintain a “neutral” stance and promotes its own vision of ceasefire. China is interested in the end of the war, but it is vital for Beijing if Russo-Ukrainian confrontation result will lead to the strengthening of Russia-China asymmetrical strategic partnership, development of Beijingled regional alliances in Eurasia, and increase of Chinese global influence.