New Balance of Power in the International Relations and the Role of China

Abstract

amidst the myriad debates surrounding the structure of the international system of relations, a novel issue emerges: whether China's profound growth warrants recognition as a transformative variable influencing the organization of the system. Through an examination of states' economic, political, and military capacities, it becomes evident that a multipolar order is emerging. Over the past three decades, China's remarkable economic growth has contributed significantly to rebalancing global economic power dynamics. In safeguarding its economic interests, China strategically augmented its military capabilities and spearheaded a plethora of political initiatives to foster diverse multilateral frameworks. Consequently, as the world's second-largest economy and third most potent military force, China has solidified its stature as an indispensable actor on the international stage. However, the persistent augmentation of China's economic, military, and political influence has stirred apprehensions within the United States, which, in its 2022 Defense Strategy, categorizes China as a "primary competitor" while declining to acknowledge its equal status. Consequently, China's contemporary role in international relations can be construed as catalyzing the establishment of a balanced power framework. Present and forthcoming Chinese endeavors aim to foster a multipolar order wherein China assumes the mantle of a major power and a pivotal participant in global affairs.