By Frank Ching
Public opinion in China seems to be that the country has become so powerful that it is entitled to more respectful treatment, especially at a time when the United States is widely seen as being in terminal decline.
Signs of growing Chinese assertiveness can be seen in such publications as a 1996 book, ``The China That Can Say No: Political and Emotional Choices in the Post-Cold War Era'' as well as a more recent book, ``China Is Not Happy.''
However, while being politically correct and saying, as Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi did recently, that ``China's diplomacy is people's diplomacy,'' Chinese diplomats are at pains to rein in excessive public exuberance regarding the country's growing role in the world.
At a recent press conference, Premier Wen Jiabao was asked to what extent public opinion would affect China's foreign policy, considering that some people now say, ``We the Chinese should walk with our head held high on the world stage.''
In response, Premier Wen explained that ``in formulating and carrying out our foreign policy, our fundamental objective is to uphold China's national interests, China's sovereignty and territorial integrity in particular.''
However, the premier made it clear that diplomacy is not carried out simply by conducting public opinion surveys. ``We also take into full account both the domestic and international situations in carrying out our foreign policy,'' he said.
``The Chinese nation is a nation that values friendship, credibility and dignity. … I believe only a nation that is open and inclusive can prosper.''
At a separate press conference, Foreign Minister Yang was asked about ``changes in the international situation and China's diplomacy.''
He responded that there have been ``major changes in international relations and the international landscape'' as a result of such developments as ``the rise of the overall strength of developing countries,'' while being careful not to mention China by name.
However, he denied that ``China is becoming tougher and tougher on the external front'' and attributed such perceptions to a misunderstanding. ``I would like to say that to stick to one's principles and being tough or not are two completely different matters.''
The popular pressure Chinese diplomats face was reflected in an interview with Zhou Wenzhong, who recently stepped down after five years as the ambassador to Washington.
Asked if he was familiar with the books ``The China That Can Say No'' and ``China Is Not Happy,'' he responded that he had read both books and defended Chinese diplomats by saying that, all along, ``whenever we should say no, we have said no.''
The Chinese Foreign Ministry recently organized an online chat on ``How the World Sees China'' involving two former ambassadors ― Li Fenglin, who served in Russia, and Lu Qiutian, who was ambassador to Germany.
One questioner, who pointed out that China had long followed the instructions of the late Deng Xiaoping to adopt a low profile, asked what changes there would be in the country's foreign policy.
But Li responded that adherence to Deng's instructions was a basic principle and not a strategy. China, he said, did not adopt a low profile simply to bide its time until it became strong, after which it would reveal its true self. Moreover, he added, China was far from being a great power and it may take several more generations.
He also pointed out that other countries, assuming that China has already become a great power, are calling on it to assume greater international responsibilities. But, he said, China was unprepared to assume such responsibilities and must determine for itself its position in the world.
Amb. Lu said China wants to maintain world peace and build a harmonious world. He emphasized that China was a developing country with a big population and a weak economic base.
Both senior diplomats seemed to think that China's fundamental conditions have not changed and that it should carefully assess the international situation and its role in the world.
Certainly, they realize that it would be reckless for China to act as though it was already a superpower, no matter what the Chinese public may think.
So, while the rest of the world is calling on China to assume the responsibilities of a major power, within China ― certainly within the upper echelons of the bureaucracy ― there is a notable reluctance to step into the role of a superpower.
Certainly, China does not think that it is capable of replacing the United States, now or in the foreseeable future.
Frank Ching is a journalist and commentator in Hong Kong. He can be reached at Frank.ching@gmail.com.
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