From Deng to Xi, China's Foreign Policy Identity Has Been Consistent

Despite claims that Xi Jinping’s leadership has adopted a more aggressive foreign policy driven by nationalism, the effect of national identity on Chinese foreign policy has been consistent in the post-Mao era. Instead, China’s perception of its capacity to act internationally is driving a more proactive foreign policy. Therefore, Western states’ China policy should focus on forcing China to question its capacity to act in international affairs by maintaining leadership in areas such as climate change and the war in Ukraine.