Global Governance with Chinese Characteristics? A Preliminary Analysis

The rise of China poses many challenges and opportunities to itself as well as to other countries. Will its rapid rise in power change the way in which world affairs are run? If so, in what way will global governance be affected? What are China’s aspirations, demands and limitations in its engagement with global governance? This paper addresses these questions. First, it takes a look at China’s view of the nature of global governance. Then it identifies the principles and tactics used by the Chinese government in dealing with global governance before making an assessment of the special features of Chinese international relations in this area. Next the paper turns to the perceptions of other major countries towards China’s behaviour in the area. It concludes by suggesting that China’s increasing involvement in global governance renders its policy preferences increasingly felt around the world