Chinese Statecraft in a Changing World: Demystifying Enduring Traditions and Dynamic Constraints

This book addresses one of the most pressing geopolitical inquiries of our era: how will China’s ambition manifest on the global stage? To address this question, the book considers China’s long tradition of statecraft. By doing this, it provides a unique and novel insight into the ＂why＂ behind China’s actions and sparks a crucial dialogue on ＂how＂ to best navigate China’s global rise.

Through a keen analytical lens, the book illuminates both the constraints and the flexibility inherent in Chinese policy-making. It underscores the geographic and historical factors that constrain China’s actions, forcing its leaders into trade-offs. It also highlights the system’s inherent flexibility, expanding the range of strategic options available when dealing with China. The most unique contribution consists in framing the pre-occupations of contemporary China in the context of both long-standing Chinese trends and unprecedented global changes.

This book offers a nuanced and realistic guide for senior policy makers, business leaders, academic researchers, and global citizens who seek to decipher the enigma of China’s ascent and channel its trajectory towards a more positive and responsible direction.

Jean Dong is a Chinese-Australian business and policy advisor specializing in bilateral and multilateral strategic and economic collaboration. From 2015 to 2019, leveraging the Belt and Road Initiative, she advised on and facilitated high-profile Sino-Australian delegations, as well as business partnerships across sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, technology, energy, and mining. In 2014, Jean orchestrated a landmark agricultural cooperation agreement between Tasmania and Shaanxi Province. The signing of this agreement was witnessed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

Since 2016, Jean served as a task force member of the G20 think tank engagement group (T20). Jean played an active role in shaping policy recommendations for G20 leaders on issues such as World Trade Organization reform, fiscal policy in response to the pandemic, and the future direction of multilateralism reforms. Since 2020, Jean has been an associate with the Centre for Contemporary Chinese Studies at the University of Melbourne.