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China and the World
Quick questions on The peaceful rise narrative and its tensions explained: H2 China Studies
5short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
How does China reconcile the apparent inconsistency?Show answer
The key is the concept of "core interests": a category of issues, above all sovereignty and territorial integrity, including Taiwan and claimed maritime territory, that China defines as non-negotiable and on which it will not compromise. From Beijing's perspective there is no contradiction: it can genuinely seek peaceful development in general while defending its core interests firmly, even assertively, because protecting sovereignty is not the same as seeking expansion or hegemony. On this view, the assertive conduct is the defence of what China regards as rightfully its own, consistent with a broader preference for peace elsewhere.
What is the tension with conduct?Show answer
Yet the narrative sits uneasily with important features of China's conduct. China has been notably assertive in defending and advancing its sovereignty claims, especially in the maritime sphere: in the South China Sea it has pressed expansive claims, built and militarised features, and pushed back against rival claimants and outside powers. It has increased pressure over Taiwan. And it has at times used its economic weight coercively, applying pressure on states that cross its interests.
What is q1?Show answer
Explain why China crafted the narrative of a "peaceful rise" or "peaceful development." [4 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Explain how the concept of "core interests" reconciles peaceful rhetoric with assertive conduct. [12 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
"China's rise cannot be peaceful so long as it defends its claims so assertively." How far do you agree? [20 marks]
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