The People’s Republic of China’s Assertiveness and Hegemonic Tendencies in the South China Sea

Abstract

Over the last three decades, The People’s Republic of China has experienced rapid growth of national economy because of the open doors policies. If in 1962 its GDP was just 45 billion, 2015’s GDP was about 11,007.72 trillions of Dollars1. The massive investments in army and technology2 continue to raise questions both for International Relations researchers (theoretical level) and for South China Sea’s-proxy state presidents; these uncertainties relate to the security of neighbouring states (practical level). On the other side, The People’s Republic of China’s hegemonic tendencies are being handled after their own, independent policy recipe, one that’s different from the liberal policies of the West. In this article we argue that The People’s Republic of China’s tendencies towards getting the «great power» status will alter its Foreign Policy decisions, as well as the global order. Also, the choosing of China’s foreign policy strategies (in the near future) will be made, on one hand, congruent to the way it defines its «relative identity» towards the US-led unipolarity and towards its neighbouring states, and on the other hand, according to the way in which other actors define the PRC’s great power status at a regional level.3 Because the PRC stresses the utility of using an independent policy, we chose the «theory of social identity» (TSI)4 as the framework of our research. China wants to achieve the great power status and to protect its customs and culture at the same time, denying the liberal norms of the West. According to TSI, China looks out to improve both its regional and global status. How is this possible? Through social creativity, competition, and mobility.