Analysis Of The Construction Of The "responsible Great Power" Status

With the ever-increasing national capabilities, China began to enter the current international system. Increasing of national capabilities'must lead to government's corresponding adjustment of diplomacy strategy. Therefore, in order to clarify its role in the international society, Chinese government began to identify itself as a peace-loving, cooperative and responsible power within international system since late 1990s. As a responsible power within the international system, China has always been responsible in keeping world peace and system stability and announced its willingness to contribute to promote world prosperity at the beginning of the 21st century. Such an identity building eased international society's anxiety on how China would use it power in the future to some extent. Meanwhile, by this image of responsible power building, China's international position and influence have also been improved.By examining the China's Diplomacy published from year 1991 to 2006 and JiangZemin Analecta, we can see that during the communication process with international society, Chinese government's understanding of nation's responsibility changed a lot. That is from"power equals responsibility"advocating to standing for"shared responsibility". Such a change reflects that China has already thrown away the"victimized"mood and began to enter the international society positively, calmly and responsibly. China finally admits its great power position and become to be a responsible power within international system.However, the western world proposed their requirement of China's responsibility in the international society. According to them, firstly, China should behave as a responsible stake-holder, take part in building and maintenance of current international system more positively and do some actual contributions to the energy and efficiency of international system. Secondly, China should improve its human rights situation and way of governance so as to fully integrate into the international society. The fundamental difference between"responsible power"and"responsible stake-holder"is that the latter one aims in integrating China to be an American-style China. While the first one is the solemn promise made by China that China is definitely willing to make great effort to keep the world peace, stability and common prosperity.