How far can China be considered a responsible member of the global

community? To be a responsible state would mean China pursuing actively

and consistently policies that would benefit the international community at
large. Such could include preserving the western-led global system, which
has benefitted China and most countries, at advancing world peace and wellbeing. This essay seeks to argue that Chinas conduct as a member of the
global community is dictated by the confines of its national interests,
aspirations and abilities. Though the Chinese have been trying their best to
gain the worlds acceptance, contributing to global economic growth and the
emergence of a more consensus-based multi-polar world, they are not
proactive at seeking greater role on the international arena. Unlike the more
prominent western countries, the CCP government is more inward looking
and is more concerned with their domestic politics. As such, China could only
be considered a responsible nation only to a limited extent.
The Chinese have acted responsibly as a rising global power by actively
seeking to integrate itself with the global system, contributing to the making
of regional and international policies. Since its opening up in 1979, China has
gained membership into hundreds of organizations worldwide. It is a
permanent member of the UNSC and has an important role to play in major
global security decisions. Chinas membership in the WTO and recently, its
rising influence in the IMF and the World Bank, have resulted in the
maintenance of a more stable and rule-based global commercial system.
China is also a very important participant of the ASEAN Regional Forum and
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). China also took active part in the
2009 G-20 meeting and Copenhagen Climate Summit.
Meanwhile, Chinas spectacular economic successes have brought about
development and wealth to most parts of the world. China is the cheap
manufacturing hub for companies in the developed sates and has created
demands for raw material of the developing countries. Cheap Chinese
exports have improved the standards of living of many in the world. China
has become the largest market for luxurious products, cars and commercial
airplanes, brining opportunities to the faltering factories of the developed
countries. China purchase of American debt bonds has helped stabilized the
global financial situation. $5billion Africa Development Fund established in
2006. China has lent out countless loans and infrastructural investments to
developing countries in SEA and Latin America.
China has also participated actively in the maintenance of regional and
global stability. China has dramatically reduced its arsenal of weapons of
mass destruction since mid-1990s. China has increased its participation in
the UN peacekeeping missions from contributing 50-60 observers per year till
1999 to deploying over 1800 troops by 2007. China has engaged in
mediations over political crisis in Myanmar and Korean peninsula. China is
supported by international anti-terrorist campaigns, evident in its leadership

over the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. On the other hand, China has
attempted to resolve its border disputes with neighboring countries
peacefully.
However, despite its contributions, Chinas foreign policies are largely
determined by its domestic priorities and interests. The CCP government has
no choice but to constantly focus on delivering material wealth and devoting
its energies to domestic issues as these are the determinants of its fragile
political legitimacy. Measures at deepening global integration are essential
for Chinas long term security and economic growth. Promotion of economic
development could ensure that its people are gainfully employed hence
satisfied with the regime. Purchase of American debts is targeted at
sterilizing the excess reserve of Chinas twin surpluses. Chinas efforts at
promoting external peace and stability are related to its need for a peaceful
international environment that will be conducive for its internal development.
In fact, the CCP is reluctant to contribute beyond its immediate interests.
Chinas limited capabilities as a developing state have prevented it from
assuming more and greater international responsibilities. Despite their
peacekeeping efforts, China has not taken active part in major military duties
and overseas anti-terrorist campaigns. Compared to assistance rendered by
other developed countries, Chinas physical aid to the Haiti Earthquake is
paltry in size. These are due to the inadequacies of Chinese expertise and
technology. In addition, scandals of poisoned and faulty Chinese exports,
which have caused many to criticize the country for being irresponsible, are
consequences of corruption and underdeveloped quality control
mechanisms. Weak rule of law within China has led to frequent infringement
of patent rights by Chinese profiteers.
Concern for the sustainability of its own economic growth has also led China
to appear uncooperative on global issues. China has differed the revaluation
of yuan to protect its export industries. Protectionist measures are imposed
on foreign companies so as to benefit local enterprises. The need for energy
and resource security has resulted in its supporting and investing in rogue
states such as Sudan, Iran and Myanmar. China has also rejected the
demands of other more developed nations at the Copenhagen Climate
Summit to significantly reduce carbon emission. Dams built in Yunnan
province to generate energy and provide irrigation for local people have led
water shortages in countries located downstream of Mekong.
Chinas authoritarian governance and its obsession with safeguarding
domestic stability have resulted in criticisms of it not abiding by international
human rights norms. This includes restriction of media freedom such as
Googles withdrawal from China in 2010 and disrespect for individual rights.
Political dissidents are often detained without trial. Memories of the
1989Tiananme Massacre are still fresh in the mind of westerners. Absolute

religious freedom is not granted to many Christians, Tibetans and Muslim

minorities in Xinjiang. Chinas extremely high execution rate has also invited
criticisms from human rights groups of western societies.
Chinas security and defense policies have also rendered it an irresponsible
power in the eyes of other countries. Chinas staunch support for its political
and strategic allies, Myanmar and North Korea, is resented by many in the
region. CCPs refusal to renounce the use of force at unifying with Taiwan is a
major destabilizing factor in the Pacific. Opaque military spending and
defense development of the PLA are viewed by the world with suspicions.
Expansion of the Chinese navy and its activities in regional waters has been
a cause of worry by Chinas neighbours. Such have been worsened by
Chinas highhanded treatment of its neighbors which are involved in
territorial disputes of the East and South China Seas.
In conclusion, it is only to some extent that China can be considered a
responsible member of the global community. However, the term
responsible stakeholder is relative and carries multiple meanings. Taking
into account the constraints of their interest and limited capabilities, the
Chinese have arguably performed satisfactorily at contributing to the wellbeing of the world.