Outlook on Chinese Foreign Policy in the Coming Era of Xi Jinping from China's Perspective

Abstract

With regard to the direction of Chinese foreign policy, there coexist two opposing views-one that supports assertive great power diplomacy and one that supports prudent policy to aspire to be a great power, based on China's identity as a developing country. Currently the Chinese government supports the latter direction. What then will be the kind of foreign policy that the new administration of Xi Jinping will pursue, appearing at a time when the international order is changing with the rapid emergence of China as a world power? Will he pursue a foreign policy befitting China's new status in the global community? Or will he continue the existing policy without changing course? These questions can decisively influence the international order and East Asian peace. Thus, they are of keen interest not only to East Asian countries but also to the global community. This paper examines the direction of Chinese foreign policy based on opinion polls of the Chinese public.