China’s Foreign Policy: Zhang Weiwei’s Views

Introduction

The international system of the twenty-first century is becoming increasingly complex, characterised by the emergence of new centers of power in world politics. Within these global transformations, the People’s Republic of China has emerged at the heart of a new paradigm through its rapid economic growth, active diplomacy, and expanding geopolitical influence. The China Model today is perceived not only as a symbol of economic success but also as a political and civilizational concept. From this perspective, China’s foreign policy represents the external expression of its internal development model, values, and governance principles, and therefore deserves particular scholarly attention.

In The China Wave: Rise of a Civilizational State (2012), Zhang Weiwei defines China’s rise as the “revival of a civilizational state.” In the chapter titled “Chinese Model May Win Out,” the author not only analyzes the crisis of the Western liberal-democratic system but also conceptually explains the superior aspects of the Chinese model. According to Zhang, the China Model possesses advantages over Western political-ideological systems—whose claims to universality dominate global discourse—in terms of efficiency, stability, and long-term strategic planning (Zhang, 2012). Therefore, the idea that “the Chinese model may win out” is not merely political optimism, but an indication that a new civilizational alternative is emerging in the global order.

The distinct features of China’s foreign policy are defined by the principles of “peaceful rise,” “non-interference,” “development through stability,” and “cooperation-based diplomacy.” This approach fundamentally differentiates China from the interventionist policies of Western states. According to Zhang’s theory, the Chinese model underpins not only the country’s domestic governance but also its foreign policy concept—China promotes its interests by prioritizing cultural harmony and economic cooperation rather than coercion.

Consequently, this essay aims to analyze the characteristics of China’s foreign policy concept through the theoretical foundations presented in Zhang Weiwei’s chapter “Chinese Model May Win Out.” The objective is to identify the essence of the Chinese model, its distinctions from Western paradigms, and its practical reflection in international politics. Throughout the research, the concept of the China Model will be examined in connection with the theory of the “civilizational state,” while highlighting China’s foreign policy values, strategic approaches, and normative uniqueness.

The Essence and Civilizational Foundations of the Chinese Model

According to Zhang Weiwei’s theory, the China Model represents a civilizational path of development that serves as an alternative to the Western paradigm of modernization. This model is rooted in China’s own historical, cultural, and political traditions. Zhang conceptualizes this approach through the notion of the “civilizational state.” In his view, China is the only country in the world that simultaneously exists as both an ancient civilization and a modern nation-state, relying on its own internal logic of historical evolution (Zhang, 2012, p. 51). Therefore, China’s developmental model cannot be blindly replicated by other nations, yet it remains a unique experience that can be studied and learned from.

The concept of the civilizational state underpins China’s historical stability and cultural continuity. Zhang describes this as a condition in which “governments rise and fall, but civilization endures through millennia” (Zhang, 2012, p. 54). In this sense, the Chinese model differs fundamentally from the Western concept of the nation-state: for China, the central values are social harmony, societal stability, and collective prosperity. These values form the foundation not only of China’s political system but also of its foreign policy philosophy.

In Zhang’s interpretation, the Chinese model rests on three core principles;
First, development through stability — for China, political stability is the foundation of economic progress. While Western systems may experience frequent political fluctuations, China prioritizes long-term planning and policy consistency as the basis for its rise.

Second, meritocracy and performance — according to Zhang, China’s governance system is not built on democratic competition but on a meritocratic principle of “serving the people.” Leaders are evaluated not through elections but through their competence, experience, and performance outcomes (Zhang, 2012, p. 91).
Third, legitimacy through prosperity — the legitimacy of China’s political system derives from public welfare and economic achievement. Consequently, the Chinese model prioritizes “development and stability” rather than the Western ideals of “freedom and democracy.”

The Cultural Foundations of the China Model and Its Connection to Foreign Policy

In Zhang Weiwei’s theory, the Chinese model derives its strength not only from economic outcomes but also from deep cultural and philosophical roots. China has harmonized the Confucian heritage of “harmony” with modern political governance. This concept directly influences China’s foreign policy, particularly its “peaceful rise” strategy: in advancing its national interests, China prioritizes mutually beneficial cooperation over conflict and confrontation.

Furthermore, Zhang describes the China Model as a form of self-defined modernization (Zhang, 2012, p. 90). In his view, the Western model is not a universal path applicable to all nations but rather a product of specific historical circumstances. Learning from its own history, China has achieved modernization without imitation of the West. In this way, the Chinese model represents the practical embodiment of the theory of “plural modernity.”

Overall, Zhang Weiwei explains the China Model on two distinct levels: At the domestic level, it functions as a system that ensures economic growth, political stability, and cultural harmony.

At the international level, it serves as a civilizational approach that offers an alternative set of values within global governance and international order.

This approach grounds China’s foreign policy not only strategically but also ideologically. According to Zhang, the Chinese model should not be viewed as a competitor to the West, but rather as an idea capable of establishing a new balance among world civilizations. In doing so, it weakens Eurocentrism and promotes the concept of a multicultural global governance system.

The Relationship Between the Chinese Model and Foreign Policy

In Zhang Weiwei’s theoretical framework, the China Model is not merely the product of domestic governance principles but also serves as the fundamental theoretical foundation of China’s foreign policy. He interprets the China Model as a form of development-oriented diplomacy, through which China expresses its economic, cultural, and political values internationally under the principle of peaceful rise (Zhang, 2012, p. 89).

The notion of peaceful rise lies at the heart of China’s foreign policy. Unlike the Western historical path of development through coercion and conquest, this strategy envisions achieving global influence without the use of force—through economic and cultural cooperation instead. According to Zhang, China’s ascent represents not imperial expansion but rather a civilizational renaissance (Zhang, 2012, p. 92). Therefore, China’s diplomacy prioritizes win-win cooperation and the maintenance of peace over conflict and domination.

This principle is vividly reflected in China’s initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Through such projects, China emphasizes economic integration, infrastructure development, and interconnectivity rather than military or political expansion. As Zhang emphasizes, this approach is based on the principle of “security through development,” meaning that economic growth and prosperity are viewed as key instruments for ensuring peace and stability.

Non-Interference and Respect for Sovereignty

The Chinese model firmly upholds the principle of sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of other states. According to Zhang, this approach originates from the long-standing civilizational value of “harmony” deeply rooted in Chinese culture (Zhang, 2012, p. 98). Consequently, China conducts its diplomacy through what can be described as “cooperation without interference.” It does not impose its political model on other countries; rather, it respects their right to pursue their own developmental paths.

This principle is particularly evident in China’s cooperation policies with African, Southeast Asian, and Latin American countries. Zhang argues that such an approach is more stable and culturally adaptable than the Western model of exerting political pressure under the pretext of “human rights” or “democracy.” In this way, the Chinese model promotes a diplomacy based not on political export but on cultural coexistence.

The Concept of the “Community of Shared Future for Mankind”

According to Zhang Weiwei, China’s foreign policy is grounded in a new global normative idea — the concept of the “Community of Shared Future for Mankind.” This idea reflects China’s new philosophical approach to global governance: humanity constitutes an interdependent system in which the prosperity of one nation cannot be separated from that of others. Therefore, China rejects the zero-sum game paradigm in international relations and instead advances a model of win-win cooperation.

As Zhang emphasizes, this concept prioritizes collective interests and stability over the Western international system based on individualism and competition (Zhang, 2012, p. 101). This approach is evident in China’s active participation within the United Nations, its development assistance to countries of the Global South, and its engagement in addressing issues such as climate change and sustainable development.

Cultural Soft Power and Diplomatic Identity

In Zhang’s framework, the China Model strengthens its external influence not only through economic power but also through cultural soft power. He argues that the philosophical values of traditional Chinese civilization—such as harmony, patience, balance, and normative stability—generate a distinct appeal in the international arena. Accordingly, China shapes its global image through culture, education, language policy (for instance, through the Confucius Institutes), technology, and its developmental model.

According to Sattarova (n.d.), there are currently two Confucius Institutes operating in Uzbekistan — one at Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies and another at the Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages.

“Chinese Model May Win Out”: Reasons for Its Success and Global Impact

In his work, Zhang Weiwei advances the idea that the “Chinese model may win out,” explaining this view through the decline of the Western model and the rise of the Chinese model as a viable alternative. According to Zhang, in recent decades, the internal weaknesses of the Western liberal-democratic system—such as political polarization, economic inequality, and short-term electoral politics—have led to a global crisis of leadership (Zhang, 2012, p. 107). In contrast, China has achieved sustained growth through its centralized, meritocratic, and long-term planning–oriented governance model.

Zhang argues that the potential success of the Chinese model rests on several key factors:

I.        Long-term strategic thinking
China’s political system is free from the short-term power struggles that characterize Western democracies, focusing instead on long-term national goals. This enables the country to maintain consistent political stability and sustainable economic growth.

II.      Legitimacy through performance
As Zhang notes, the Chinese government derives its political legitimacy not from elections, but from economic achievements and the enhancement of public welfare. Consequently, at the international level, the Chinese model promotes the idea of “legitimacy through development” (Zhang, 2012, p. 112).

III.    Support for a multipolar global system
The Chinese model rejects the Western notion of universal values and instead promotes the “harmony of diverse civilizations.” This idea has become increasingly appealing to many developing nations seeking an alternative to Western-centric paradigms.

IV.    Cultural distinctiveness and global adaptability
The Chinese model does not seek to export its values but rather to serve as an example. Zhang describes this principle as “The China model is not for export, but for inspiration” (Zhang, 2012, p. 114). For this reason, many countries selectively adapt elements of the Chinese experience to fit their own national contexts.

According to Zhang, the claim that the “Chinese model may win out” does not imply political rivalry but rather reflects the natural rebalancing among historical civilizations. Unlike the Western system based on individualism, the Chinese model prioritizes collectivism, cooperation, and social harmony. As such, it contributes to the creation of a new paradigm in global governance that recognizes the diversity of development centers around the world.

The Global Impact of the Chinese Model

According to Zhang’s theory, the Chinese model is fundamentally transforming the balance of power within the international system in the twenty-first century. It drives not only economic advancement but also normative and ideological transformation. China’s major initiatives—the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and the BRICS partnership—serve as tangible manifestations of the China model on the global stage. Through these initiatives, China offers developing countries a model of mutually beneficial cooperation distinct from the conditional lending practices associated with Western financial institutions.

As Zhang emphasizes, if the Chinese model “wins out,” it should not be viewed as the defeat of the West but rather as the restoration of balance among civilizations within the global system. In doing so, it liberates the concept of “modernity” from Western monopoly, allowing it to evolve along plural and culturally diverse trajectories (Zhang, 2012, p. 118).

Conclusion

According to Zhang Weiwei’s conceptual framework, the China Model represents an alternative path of development to the Western liberal-democratic paradigm—one based on stability, efficiency, and civilizational values. Through its political system and foreign policy, China challenges the singular dominance of Western modernity. The Chinese model rests upon the principles of state sovereignty, cultural distinctiveness, and social harmony. In this regard, China’s foreign policy serves as the natural extension of its model: it is grounded not in the use of force, but in economic cooperation, peaceful development, and shared interests.

The phrase “Chinese model may win out,” in Zhang’s view, signifies not ideological rivalry, but the dawn of a new era of equilibrium in global politics. In today’s world order, the Chinese model has become the practical embodiment of plural modernity. It offers an alternative paradigm to the Western political and economic model—one that emphasizes stability and long-term strategic planning.

As a result, the China Model introduces a new perspective into the theory of international relations—placing the concept of the civilizational state at its core and advancing the Community of Shared Future for Mankind as a fundamental global value. Thus, Zhang Weiwei’s theory not only explains China’s foreign policy orientation but also lays the intellectual foundation for a new school of thought that seeks to balance the Western paradigm in the global politics of the twenty-first century.

References

I.        Zhang, W. (2012) The China Wave: Rise of a Civilizational State. Singapore: World Century Publishing Corporation.

II.     Sattarova, G. (n.d.) China – a close partner of Uzbekistan in education. UzA. / https://uza.uz/en/posts/china-a-close-partner-of-uzbekistan-in-education_516713