ABSTRACT
When China adopted the policy of reform and opening in 1978, its leadership made economic development the foremost national priority. Since then, the leaders of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have made great efforts to foster continued economic growth in the interest of maintaining social stability and upholding the legitimacy of one-party rule. Their efforts were not limited to domestic reform. To focus on economic development, China has openly expressed its desire to avoid confrontation, and its foreign policy is designed to ensure a peaceful international environment favorable to its modernization program. Since the reform began, Beijing’s external policy has given high priority to the pragmatic objectives of supporting domestic economic development. In this sense, China’s quest for economic prosperity needs to be considered as an important force driving its external behavior.
