China and the World Flashcards
(90 cards)
What is the Middle Kingdom syndrome?
The belief that China is the center of the world, also known as Sino-centricity.
This perspective influenced China’s interactions and views of foreign nations.
What is the tribute system?
A soft power mechanism where China expected deference and obedience from its neighbors in exchange for protection.
This system facilitated China’s dominance in the Sino-centric world order.
List the zones of the Sino-centric world order.
- Sinic Zone (Han Chinese, Koreans, Vietnamese)
- Inner Asian Zone (Manchu, Mongols)
- Outer Asian Zone (Japan, Southeast Asia)
- Barbarian Zone (non-oriental peoples outside China’s border)
Each zone reflects China’s perception of its neighbors and their respective statuses.
What ideology guided China’s emperors?
Neo-Confucianism and the Mandate of Heaven, emphasizing harmony between human society and nature.
The emperor was seen as a moral example and the highest authority in governance.
What led to the challenges of the Sino-centric world order during the Qing dynasty?
External pressures from Western nations, Japan, and Russia, as well as internal discontent.
These challenges contributed to China’s disintegration and loss of sovereignty.
What was the Century of Shame and Humiliation?
A period of national trauma for China marked by foreign invasions and loss of territory from the mid-19th century to early 20th century.
This term is ingrained in the Communist Party’s narrative and national identity.
What was the self-strengthening movement?
A late 19th-century initiative aimed at modernizing China in response to foreign pressures.
It included military and technological advancements by sending individuals to study in the West.
Fill in the blank: The _______ movement was a nationalist protest against foreign control over Chinese territories in 1919.
May Fourth
What does guan xi refer to in Chinese statecraft?
Relationships based on reciprocity and commonality, crucial in Chinese diplomatic interactions.
Guan xi is often emphasized in both domestic and foreign relations.
True or False: China prefers alliances over alignments in its foreign policy.
False
China prefers alignments to maintain flexibility and avoid entanglements in military support.
What is the significance of cognitive dissonance in China’s belief system?
It describes the conflict between new information and existing beliefs, leading to rejection of conflicting ideas.
This psychological phenomenon affects how Chinese citizens process foreign relations.
List the seven types of nationalism identified in recent Chinese political discourse.
- Affirmative nationalism
- Aggrieved nationalism
- Confident nationalism
- Assertive nationalism
- Popular nationalism
- Angry nationalism
- Soft power nationalism
Each type reflects different aspects and sentiments of national identity and foreign policy.
What was Deng Xiaoping’s approach to foreign policy after 1978?
Focus on economic development and using international relations to aid China’s modernization.
This marked a shift from revolutionary export to economic cooperation.
What does the term ‘Wolf Warriorism’ refer to?
A form of state-level angry nationalism characterized by aggressive rhetoric against foreign criticism.
It reflects a more assertive and confrontational stance in China’s foreign relations.
Fill in the blank: The _______ was the primary institution for decision-making in China’s foreign policy under Xi Jinping.
Foreign Affairs Leading Small Group = Mao
Xi changed it to Foreign Affairs Leading Commission OR is it Central Foreign Affairs
Commission
What is the primary goal of soft power nationalism?
To project China as an economic, diplomatic, and cultural model to the world.
This approach aims to attract foreign investment and influence through cultural means.
True or False: China’s nationalism is solely a state-driven phenomenon.
False
Nationalism in China has both state and autonomous roots, indicating that the party-state does not have complete control over national sentiment.
What is the structure of Leading Small Groups (LSG’s)?
Less than 10 people usually, leading on environment, AI, finance, trade, etc.
These groups focus on domestic policy and are crucial for foreign policy decisions.
What is the Foreign Affairs Leading Small Group (FALSG) now called?
Foreign Affairs Leading Commission (FAL Commission)
This group deals primarily with foreign policy.
What is the focus of the National Security Commission established in 2014?
Primarily internal security issues
It encompasses political, territorial, military, economic, cultural, societal, science, information, and nuclear security.
What are the primary functions of the Ministry of State Security (MSS)?
Counter espionage and intelligence collection
The MSS is modeled on the Soviet KGB.
What is the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) classified as?
A think tank controlled by the Party Department (PD)
They receive state funding, indicating they are not autonomous.
What does the acronym TALSG stand for?
Taiwan Affairs Leading Small Group
It is not a commission.
What are the main components of China’s government system?
PBSC, Politburo, Central Committee
PBSC consists of 7 people, with the Politburo having about 15 members.