Assess the impact of Chinese economic development on Chinas international

relations.
The successful development of Chinese economy after 1978 has greatly
enhanced the prestige and importance of China, allowing it to foster closer
relations with most countries sin the world. Economic success is at times
converted to political influence hence elevating Chinas international status,
deepening its ties with the other countries. On the other hand, Chinas rapid
economic rise and evolving national interests have caused tensions in its
international relations.
Ties between China and many other non-communist countries are
normalized with the opening of its economy. First time after 1949, the
country is opened up for trade with other countries. Foreign goods, services
and visitors are welcomed by the government. Visits by Deng and senior
communist cadres to learn from the more developed economies. Ties
normalized with the major western countries and Chinas other former
ideological adversaries. Drastic change marked the breaking out form Cold
War framework.
Dengs economic reforms transformed the international image of China.
Chinas image has changed from a closed communist country, to a capitalist
and potentially democratic one. A more welcomed ally of the West against
the USSR during the Cold War. Between 1979 to 1989, the world saw China
as less of an ideological and military threat, given the economic
opportunities it offered. Coupled with the practice of Panda diplomacy,
economic reforms transformed the international relations China had with
others for the better.
Ties between China and other countries have become closer as it becomes
the land of innumerable economic opportunities. Chinas vast cheap labour
supply and pro-business government made it the favourite manufacturing
and investment hub for foreign businesses. Businesses from around the
world are also eager to sell their produce in the huge Chinese market. China
pulled Japan and later Korea out form their recessions since 1990s. Both
developed countries form the West and states of the developing continent
are dependent on cheap Chinese manufactured imports. Countries like
Australia and South Africa relied on the Chinese demands for the export of
their primary resources. This is especially so after the developed economies
began to falter during the 2008-2009 global financial crisis.
Formalisation of Chinas economic relations with the other states has
resulted in deeper global integration for the former. China began to play a
greater role in international trade and commerce after its ascension in the
WTO in 2001. Chinas ties with the Southeast Asia, Japan and South Korea
have become stronger with the establishment of the CAPTA (China-ASEAN

FTA) and ASEAN plus 3. FTA signed between China and many other countries
have strengthened the former regional and global status.
Meanwhile, political and diplomatic ties between China and other countries
are reinforced through economic interdependency. China which surpassed
Japan as the worlds second largest economy in 2010, accounted for 25% of
South Koreas exports last year and absorbed 27% of the shipments from
Taiwan. Countries around the world are compelled to acknowledge and
exercise the One-China policy given Chinas economic influence. In 2009 the
then prime minister of Japan, Mr Hatoyama, even proposed to upgrade his
countrys relations with China to a strategic partnership. China and its
neighbor have preferred peaceful and non-confrontational resolution to their
territorial disputes given the positive economic climate. More African and
Latin American governments began to view China favourable as their
economic relations deepened. Even relationship with Taiwan has improved
due to the islands greater dependency on the Chinese economy. Chinas
commercial ties with resource rich countries like Australia, Canada and New
Zealand have improved their strategic perception towards Beijing.
On the other hand, Chinas expanding political influences as a result of its
economic ascendency have caused concerned amongst many countries. The
US and EU are wary of Chinese expansion on the African continent. Rising
popularity of the Beijing Consensus amongst governments of the developing
nations especially after 2009 alarmed the western democracies to their
declining influence. Countries like Russia, India and Indonesia are fearful of
their economic dependency on China, which might translate to political
vulnerabilities. Rapidly growing yet opaque budget of the Chinese military
has become the concern of many nations. Chinas newfound confidence after
2009, as displayed in its diplomatic assertiveness during the Copenhagen
Climate Summit and aggressive against perceived anti-China measures
undertaken by the west, has been watched with apprehension by many
government.
Chinas economic policies, overseas expansion, aggressive acquisition of
food and other resources, have nonetheless aroused fear and suspicion
around the world. Western economies have often accused China of
protectionism, dumping, copyright infringements and other unfair trade
practices. Trade wars between China and the West such as the US and EU
have become more common especially after 2009. Even developing
countries are unhappy with competition from cheap Chinese products. Faulty
products and poisoned food from China have strained its relations with some
countries. Many countries are alarmed by Chinas arms sales and support for
dictatorial regimes in Africa, in return for oil and other resources. Chinese
attempts to purchase foreign industries of strategic importance have aroused
fears in some states. For example, Chinese stakes in Americas Blackstone

Inc.; failed Chinese bid to buy over RioTinto of Australia and UNOCAL in the
US.
In conclusion, despite their frictions, Chinas economic success and
development have allowed it to forge closer relations with the rest of the
world. China needs the world to grow the world needs China in order to
prosper. The impact of Chinas economic development on its international
relations is largely positive. Differences however surfaced as the mutually
beneficial ties became upset by conflicting interest as a result of Chinese
economic expansion.