ABSTRACT
China’s re-emergence as a major power in global and regional affairs presents both opportunities and challenges for Beijing’s defence and foreign policy. On the one hand, the country’s external security environment has been relatively benign since the end of the Cold War, thus providing what the Chinese leadership often terms as a period of ‘strategic opportunity’ (zhanlue jiyuqi ). On the other hand, Chinese perspectives on security have changed and expanded from the traditional concerns with sovereignty and territorial integrity (although these remain important), to also embrace energy security, maritime interests and rights, and its interests and role in global governance, including contributing to international peace-keeping and anti-piracy operations. Beijing’s diplomatic influence in global and regional affairs has also been on the rise, and so is the expectation from the international community that China should make a greater contribution concerning addressing major international and regional problems from the financial crisis to climate change. Chinese military modernization continues, registering noticeable progress in key areas of training, operations and procurement. Meanwhile, China’s apparently more assertive foreign policy in recent years, especially where its sovereignty and territorial integration are concerned, has caused significant alarm over the projection of Chinese power and behaviour as it continues its ascent toward great power status.
