Diplomatist Magazine Diplomatist January 2019 | Page 37

PERSPECTIVE
Tentative Layout and Capitalisation of Thesis
The scope of the topic envisages the following:
a.
Chinese Strategic Culture
b.
Evolving Chinese Strategic Thought Process
c.
Chinese Power strategy
d.
Chinese Behaviour
e.
Emerging Scenarios
f.
Recurrent Themes In Expanding Chinese
Behavioural Toolkit
Capitalisation
Chapter 1: Introduction: The chapter will analyse
the relevance of strategic culture and behaviour as an
International Aff airs concept.
Chapter 2: Chinese Strategic Culture: The long,
unbroken and strong Civilizational Thread had to endure
“Thucydides’ triptych of fear, honour, and interest”. Its
successful and continued existence is a testimony to its
Strategic Culture and Civilizational Strength. The longevity
of the Chinese civilization, pre-dominance in their
neighbourhood, the ‘continental’ extent of their land mass
and the isolation from the rest fostered a sense of persistent
and continuous transmission of ‘Strategic Narratives’ as
exemplifi ed in classic texts of the ‘ancient dynasties’ who
continue to infl uence governance because of their enduring
relevance through a balance between doctrines of idealism
and realism. Moreover, Chinese thinking towards life has
been deeply infl uenced by the value system as propounded
by Confucian, Daoist, Legalist, and Buddhist Teachings.
The chapter will cover Chinese World Order, Chinese
Internal order, Value System and Classical thinkers with a
contemporary infl uence.
Chapter 3: Evolving Chinese Strategic Thought
Process: The chapter will cover the period after the Opium
war to present times how certain events and people have
assisted in the evolution of the Chinese strategic thought
process. The main people and events that will be covered are
the Century of Humiliation: present-day communist narinates,
revolutionary writer: Lu Xun, Confucius of Modern China: Dr
Sun Yat Sen and the Grand Strategy of diff erent Generation
of Leadership.
Chapter 4: Chinese Power Strategy: The chapter will
cover the issue of Hard power in an authoritarian state,
Positive/Negative soft Power and sharp power to enhance
infl uence. The hard power will cover the Party’s Military,
Internal Security Mechanism, Advanced Weapon System,
Strategic High Ground: Aerospace, Nuclear New Normal
and Cyber Super Power. The Soft Power Dynamics will
cover Technology/Scientifi c Temper, History Of Soft Power:
Olympic Games, Confucius Institutes, Media Platforms,
Research Development, Peace Keeping, Chinese Diaspora,
Humanitarian Relief, Debt Diplomacy, Connectivity, Tourism
and Geopolitics of Knowledge
Chapter 5: Chinese Behaviour: The chapter on Chinese
Behaviour will cover Historical Behavioural Perceptions,
Behavioural Objectives, Island, Small Nations, Lines In
Sea, Disputed Land Territory, Disruptive Economic Model,
and Imperial Over Stretch. Chinese Strategic Behaviour in
India’s periphery is marginalising our infl uence in the region.
When analysed in conjunction with the prevailing and likely
activities of the Chinese in our periphery it throws up the
existing and potential manifestations of the Chinese strategic
behaviour.
Serial Strategic
Countries
No
Behaviour
(a) Economic
(b) Military
(c) Political
Manifestation
Sri Lanka,
Debt Trap
Maldives,
Nepal, Pakistan
Africa, Sri
Potential for
Lanka, Maldives Militarisation
of Ports
Military
Pakistan,
Hardware
Bangladesh,
Myanmar
Dependence
India
PLAN activities
in IOR
Maldives,
Zimbabwe,
Sudan
Sp to Rogue
Regimes
Conclusion
The exact manner in which the future charts out cannot
be accurately predicted. However, China beyond doubt has
grown exponentially and apparently should continue to do
so in the near term. Crystallization of its desire for global
domination has resulted in pushback from the Western
World. This could potentially put a spanner in its envisioned
economic growth plan. However, the recent emerging
geopolitical landscape could throw up a completely diff erent
scenario. Prima facie “The Growing China” scenario appears
to be the most likely outcome. This would result in enlarged
Chinese interests and an increase in Chinese belligerent
behaviour is most plausible.
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 7 • Issue 1 • January 2019, Noida • 37