The pursuit of status : China's great power aspiration in the context of the new type of major power relations

The new type of major power relations is a strategic concept that is used by China to signal its desire to be given the recognition as a great power. This concept is invariably directed at the United States (US) because it is the only country powerful enough to abet or thwart China's pursuit of great power status. Although the concern for status has long been one of the most integral part of Chinese foreign policy since 1949, it is only with the invention of this concept that China openly asks the US to treat China as a great power. Frustrated by the discrepancy between its ever-increasing role in the management of global affairs in recent years and the lack of due regard given by the US, China asserts its status aspiration by competing against US influence in its traditional sphere of influence, creating new international insitutions, and adjust its position on climate change mitigation effort. Together these strategies are launched by Beijing to show to the US - and the rest of the world- that it has the capacity to be a great power.Master of Science (International Relations