The Main Historical Stages of the Evolution of China's Foreign Policy

Abstract

Formation and evolution of the foreign policy of the People's Republic of China is examined. The historical stages of China’s foreign policy and the dynamics of its interaction with the leading international actors is analyzed. During the seventy years of the PRC’s existence, four main stages of foreign policy have been distinguished. In particular, the revolutionary diplomacy of Mao Zedong, the development-oriented diplomacy of Deng Xiaoping and his strategy of Maintaining Low Profile continued by his successors Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao, and finally, Xi Jinping’s the Major Country Diplomacy. The international, domestic and historical context of each stage is presented, the analysis of the evolution of China's relations with the key international actors is provided, and the concepts and guiding principles of China's modern foreign policy is examined, as well as its main course, priorities and goals.