Coexistence or Competition? China’s Evolution in Global Institutional Power
China’s engagement with global governance has evolved significantly since 1949, transitioning from outright rejection during its revolutionary isolation (1949–1971) to strategic engagement with key institutions such as the United Nations, IMF, and WTO (1971–2000), and more recently to the creation o...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Histories |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2409-9252/5/2/20 |
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| author | Shaoyu Yuan |
| author_facet | Shaoyu Yuan |
| author_sort | Shaoyu Yuan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | China’s engagement with global governance has evolved significantly since 1949, transitioning from outright rejection during its revolutionary isolation (1949–1971) to strategic engagement with key institutions such as the United Nations, IMF, and WTO (1971–2000), and more recently to the creation of parallel institutions like the AIIB and Belt and Road Initiative (2000–present). This paper traces these historical phases to analyze how China has navigated and reshaped global norms, balancing its integration into existing frameworks with efforts to build alternative governance structures. While Hegemonic Stability Theory and Power Transition Theory offer insights into China’s evolving strategy, neither fully encapsulates its pragmatic, adaptive approach. China’s domestic regulatory innovations, such as the Social Credit System and its promotion of cyber sovereignty, increasingly influence its global governance initiatives, reflecting a deliberate effort to export its governance models. Rather than fully integrating into or replacing the U.S.-led liberal order, China employs a dual-track strategy: engaging with global institutions where advantageous while promoting state-centric alternatives to liberal norms. This study argues that China’s historical trajectory underscores its pivotal role in shaping a multipolar world order, where competing governance frameworks coexist and challenge the dominance of Western-led institutions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b24afc7d799c4a36be21cf7315f6b643 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2409-9252 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Histories |
| spelling | doaj-art-b24afc7d799c4a36be21cf7315f6b6432025-08-20T02:21:02ZengMDPI AGHistories2409-92522025-04-01522010.3390/histories5020020Coexistence or Competition? China’s Evolution in Global Institutional PowerShaoyu Yuan0Division of Global Affairs, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ 07102, USAChina’s engagement with global governance has evolved significantly since 1949, transitioning from outright rejection during its revolutionary isolation (1949–1971) to strategic engagement with key institutions such as the United Nations, IMF, and WTO (1971–2000), and more recently to the creation of parallel institutions like the AIIB and Belt and Road Initiative (2000–present). This paper traces these historical phases to analyze how China has navigated and reshaped global norms, balancing its integration into existing frameworks with efforts to build alternative governance structures. While Hegemonic Stability Theory and Power Transition Theory offer insights into China’s evolving strategy, neither fully encapsulates its pragmatic, adaptive approach. China’s domestic regulatory innovations, such as the Social Credit System and its promotion of cyber sovereignty, increasingly influence its global governance initiatives, reflecting a deliberate effort to export its governance models. Rather than fully integrating into or replacing the U.S.-led liberal order, China employs a dual-track strategy: engaging with global institutions where advantageous while promoting state-centric alternatives to liberal norms. This study argues that China’s historical trajectory underscores its pivotal role in shaping a multipolar world order, where competing governance frameworks coexist and challenge the dominance of Western-led institutions.https://www.mdpi.com/2409-9252/5/2/20Chinainternational relationsforeign policyinternational organizationglobal governance |
| spellingShingle | Shaoyu Yuan Coexistence or Competition? China’s Evolution in Global Institutional Power Histories China international relations foreign policy international organization global governance |
| title | Coexistence or Competition? China’s Evolution in Global Institutional Power |
| title_full | Coexistence or Competition? China’s Evolution in Global Institutional Power |
| title_fullStr | Coexistence or Competition? China’s Evolution in Global Institutional Power |
| title_full_unstemmed | Coexistence or Competition? China’s Evolution in Global Institutional Power |
| title_short | Coexistence or Competition? China’s Evolution in Global Institutional Power |
| title_sort | coexistence or competition china s evolution in global institutional power |
| topic | China international relations foreign policy international organization global governance |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2409-9252/5/2/20 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT shaoyuyuan coexistenceorcompetitionchinasevolutioninglobalinstitutionalpower |