To Assess the Rise of China

Fei-Ling Wang • http://asiapolicy.nbr.org • asia policy, number 8 (july 2009), 151–59 Robert S. Ross and Zhu Feng, eds. China’s Ascent: Power, Security, and the Future of International Politics Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2008 • 336 pp. C. Fred Bergsten, Charles Freeman, Nicholas R. Lardy, and Derek J. Mitchell China’s Rise: Challenges and Opportunities Washington, D.C.: Peterson Institute for International Economics, 2008 • 256 pp. David M. Lampton The Three Faces of Chinese Power: Might, Money, and Minds Berkeley: University of California Press, 2008 • 361 pp. review essay To Assess the Rise of China Fei-Ling Wang© The National Bureau of Asian Research, Seattle, Washington [ 152 ] asia policy China’s Ascent: Power, Security, and the Future of International Politics Robert S. Ross and Zhu Feng, eds. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2008 • 336 pp. editors’ executive summary Thisvolumeisacollaborativeeffortinapplyinginternationalrelationstheories to the dynamics brought on by the rise of China and the resulting U.S.-China power transition. main argument Past examples of great-power transitions help explain the changes being brought about by China’s ascent. Though conflicts of interest between the U.S. and China will continue, the intensity and direction of the transition will be determined by four main factors: (1) structural variables that influence the transition, with specific importance on the polarity of the modernday international system, the geographical characteristics of great-power placement,andweapontechnologies,(2)China’sparticipationininternational politics and ability to create and influence international institutions, (3) Chinese state-level variables that operate within the context of international and regional structures, and within the context of international institutions, and (4) the influence of Chinese decisionmaking on the behavior of other countries and vice versa. policy implications • The particular global and regional structural context of U.S.-China competition, though increasingly strained due to growing conflicts of interest, has the potential to facilitate a peaceful power transition. • China has become an engaged beneficiary of the contemporary international institutional order and possesses an interest in maintaining and consolidating this order. • The combined effects of Chinese and U.S. participation in global institutions and Chinese involvement in regional institutions can mitigate the competition inherent in the U.S.-China power transition. [ 153 ] review essay • to assess the rise of china China’s Rise: Challenges and Opportunities C. Fred Bergsten, Charles Freeman, Nicholas R. Lardy, and Derek J. Mitchell Washington, D.C.: Peterson Institute for International Economics, 2008 • 256 pp. authors’ executive summary This book examines the dynamics underpinning China’s rise and suggests U.S. policy responses to further encourage China’s constructive integration into the international community. main argument China poses enormous challenges and opportunities to the U.S. and the world. As China continues to evolve and debate its future course, U.S. interests can be best protected by engaging China actively during this formative period, and by helping the country develop the tools, infrastructure, and policies that will enable Beijing to become a cooperative counterpart to Washington in global affairs. The U.S. should support reconfiguration of the global architecture to incorporateChinaintothediscussionbothofthedevelopmentofinternational rules and of what it means to be a “responsible stakeholder.” policy implications • Given that China faces significant domestic challenges—which include developing democracy with Chinese characteristics and handling relations between the central and local governments—U.S. policy goals would benefit by enhancing exchanges among officials, politicians, academics, and business groups that help China manage these challenges. • China’sunbalancedeconomicdevelopment,especiallyitsenergy‑intensive heavy industry and investment-led growth, has aggravated income inequality, heightened trade tensions, and contributed to serious environmental problems. More vigorous Chinese policy action is needed in the fiscal, financial, exchange rate, and pricing domains. The U.S. can work with China on climate change through a multilateral framework. • The U.S. must ensure that China enhances PLA transparency and understands continued U.S. regional commitments and capabilities, all the while seeking to work with China where there are mutual interests. • As China has the potential to contribute to the resolution of a broad range of global issues, its expanding engagement with the world, channeled constructively, should be welcomed. [ 154 ] asia policy T h e Three Faces of Chinese Power: Might, Money, and Minds David M. Lampton Berkeley...