Whither East Asian Regionalism? China's Pragmatism and Community Building Rhetoric

Abstract

Despite numerous published writings on China's regional role, the world still knows very little about Beijing's perception and strategy. This article seeks to make an intellectual contribution in understanding China's foreign policy and its efforts to participate in East Asian integration. This article argues that under the rhetoric of peaceful development and community building, China's foreign policy is pragmatic and changes with the tide of events in international relations. China's participation in regional integration serves as a good case for examining changes in Beijing's strategy. In the past two decades, China has moved from a reluctant participant of regional affairs to an active participant and potential future leader. China's adjusting role is a consequence of Beijing's pragmatism in policy and its growing economic confidence. Pragmatism has led China to 'hide its light under a bushel' and wait for the proper timing to step onto the world stage.abundance of free trade agreements (FTAs) and on-going negotiations for free trade summarize East Asia's dazzling economic performance in recent years.Interestingly, China's rise coincided with the commencement of regional cooperation in East Asia, both taking off at the end of the Cold War. China's development in comprehensive power as a result of growing economic capability has not only generated concerns about the possible implications for regional order but also questions over China's role in the process of regional integration. While many observers (