The Impact of Military Power on the Orientations of Chinese Foreign Policy

Authors

  • Dr. Khaled Adnan Saheb Kufa Studies Center/University of Kufa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36322/jksc.179(B).22913

Keywords:

Chinese foreign policy, Active Protection, Chinese military power, Belt and Road Initiative, multipolarity

Abstract

The international system is witnessing a profound moment of transformation driven by the rise of Chinese power, as China shifts from the rhetoric of “peaceful rise” to redefining itself as a central actor with the will to shape global trajectories. This shift is clearly reflected in Chinese foreign policy, which has adopted a new conceptual framework known as Active Protection—a doctrine that combines economic and military instruments to safeguard national interests beyond China’s borders and secure the strategic initiatives foremost represented by the Belt and Road Initiative.This approach embodies China’s vision for reshaping the rules of international interaction through the expansion of naval influence, the enhancement of military capabilities, and deeper engagement in global governance institutions. The rise of China has provoked varied international responses, manifested in containment strategies and countervailing security alliances, signaling the emergence of a new phase of multipolarity within the international system. The study concludes that China’s growing power is no longer an internal developmental trajectory, but rather a structural force redefining China’s position and role in the contemporary international order.

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References

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Published

2026-04-26

How to Cite

Saheb, K. (2026) “The Impact of Military Power on the Orientations of Chinese Foreign Policy”, Journal of Kufa Studies Center, 1(79(B), pp. 611–645. doi:10.36322/jksc.179(B).22913.

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