Towards China’s strategic narrative : on the construction of the historico-cultural roots of China’s national identity in the li

Tuotetiedot

China needs a “strategic narrative” to buttress its status as a rising but peaceful super­power. The narrative should depict where China is headed, what it strives to achieve, and how it intends to reach its ideal destination, the realization of the Chinese Dream. The Chinese Dream calls for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, consigning all remnants of humiliations by foreign powers to history, and strengthening China’s role in world affairs. The amalgamation of the nation’s ancient wisdom and world view, dubbed Traditional Learning, is already influencing China’s foreign policy rhetoric. This dissertation comprises four previously published articles and a summarizing report. Making use of both contemporary policy sources and classical texts, it highlights the historico-cultural roots of China’s emerging strategic narrative. The dissertation also illustrates how the Chinese leadership is harnessing Traditional Learning as an ideational toolkit in the country’s quest to challenge the West.