China’s global influence by 1997 was primarily the result of its economic power.
Level
A Level
Year Examined
2021
Topic
The Economic Rise of China
👑Complete Model Essay
China’s global influence by 1997 was primarily the result of its economic power.
China's Global Influence by 1997: The Primacy of Economic Power
By 1997, China had emerged as a significant player on the global stage. While various factors contributed to this ascendance, the assertion that China’s global influence was primarily a result of its burgeoning economic power holds considerable weight. This essay will explore the multifaceted dimensions of China's growing influence, examining both the economic drivers and other contributing factors, ultimately arguing that economic prowess formed the cornerstone of China's international prominence by 1997.
The Engine of Economic Growth
China’s economic transformation, characterized by an unprecedented average growth rate of 8% per annum by 1997, was a testament to its burgeoning economic power. This growth, fueled significantly by Western investments in burgeoning economic zones like Shenzhen, intertwined the fortunes of Western economies with China’s success. This burgeoning economic interdependence, evidenced by the increasing reliance on trade with China throughout the 1990s, positioned China as a pivotal player in the global economy, amplifying its international influence.
The recognition of China's economic prowess was further solidified by the United States' decision to grant it "most favored nation" trading status in 1994. This landmark decision underscored China's emergence as a major economic force and highlighted the West's willingness to prioritize economic ties over ideological differences. The Clinton administration's policy of “de-linking” human rights issues from trade further exemplified this pragmatic approach, granting China greater latitude on the world stage and bolstering its domestic and international standing.
Integration into the Global Financial System
China's accession to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in 1997 marked a watershed moment in its integration into the global financial system. This strategic move not only demonstrated China’s willingness to engage with international institutions but also provided access to resources and platforms that further propelled its economic growth. World Bank investments in China contributed to developing its infrastructure and expanding its international trade, further solidifying its position as a rising economic power.
Furthermore, China’s pragmatic foreign policy, often prioritizing economic interests over historical disputes, played a significant role in its growing influence. The normalization of relations with Japan in 1978, exemplified by the Friendship Treaty, underscores this approach. Driven by mutual economic benefits, the relationship blossomed, with Japan emerging as China’s largest overseas trading partner by the mid-1990s. This strategic economic alignment further bolstered China's regional and global influence.
Beyond Economic Determinism
While economic prowess undoubtedly constituted a significant pillar of China’s global influence, it is crucial to acknowledge other contributing factors. China’s permanent membership of the UN Security Council, granted in 1971, endowed it with considerable political clout on the world stage. The power of veto, though used sparingly, provided China with the ability to shape international discourse and influence geopolitical outcomes, as demonstrated by its opposition to US policy in Central America in 1997.
Furthermore, China’s assertive military posture in the Pacific Rim, particularly following the US military withdrawal from the Philippines, raised its international profile. Actions such as the seizure of part of the disputed Spratly Islands from Vietnam in 1998, while condemned by some, underscored China’s growing military might and its willingness to assert regional dominance.
The 1997 handover of Hong Kong, marking the end of British colonial rule, held profound symbolic significance. This event not only marked a historical turning point in China’s relationship with the West but also reinforced its image as a resurgent power. The favorable terms of the handover, ensuring Hong Kong’s economic prosperity under the “One Country, Two Systems” framework, further enhanced China’s international prestige.
Moreover, the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 created a geopolitical vacuum that China adeptly navigated. As the world's most powerful communist state, China's influence expanded, particularly in regions where Russian influence had waned. Deng Xiaoping's pragmatic decision to embrace economic reforms and engage with the West, in stark contrast to the Soviet Union's isolationist policies, further elevated China's standing on the world stage.
Conclusion: Economics at the Core
While acknowledging the significance of political, military, and historical factors, China's global influence by 1997 was undeniably rooted in its extraordinary economic transformation. The remarkable economic growth, fueled by Western investment and strategic engagement with global institutions, positioned China as a force to be reckoned with. Its growing economic clout translated into diplomatic leverage, regional influence, and a seat at the table of international decision-making.
Furthermore, it is crucial to recognize that even the non-economic factors contributing to China’s rise were intertwined with its economic interests. The return of Hong Kong brought with it a thriving financial hub, while control over the Pacific Rim offered strategic access to vital shipping lanes and resources. China's economic engine powered its geopolitical ascent, making economic prowess the defining feature of its growing influence by 1997.
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Essay Plan: China's Global Influence by 1997
This essay will explore the argument that China's global influence by 1997 was primarily driven by its economic power. It will examine both the supporting and challenging perspectives on this claim.
Arguments Supporting Economic Power as the Primary Driver
Economic Growth and Trade:
⭐China's rapid economic growth, reaching 8% per annum by 1997, was largely fueled by Western investment and trade.
⭐This created a strong interdependence between China and the West, increasing China's global economic influence.
International Recognition and Partnerships:
⭐The US granted China "most favoured nation" status in 1994, signifying its recognition of China's economic importance.
⭐China's membership in the IMF and World Bank in 1997 further solidified its place in the global economic system.
Strategic Economic Partnerships:
⭐China's willingness to prioritize economic gains over historical disputes, exemplified by its relationship with Japan, demonstrated its strategic focus on economic power.
Expanding Economic Presence:
⭐China's investment in East Africa in the late 1990s expanded its economic reach into the developing world, enhancing its global influence.
Arguments Challenging Economic Power as the Primary Driver
Political and Military Influence:
⭐China's permanent UN Security Council membership provided it with significant political power, including the ability to veto resolutions.
⭐Its increasing military presence in the Pacific, exemplified by its seizure of parts of the Spratly Islands, demonstrated its growing military power and influence.
Historical Shifts and Control:
⭐The return of Hong Kong in 1997 marked a decisive end to Western influence and a clear assertion of China's sovereignty.
⭐The collapse of the USSR left China as the leading Communist power, increasing its international stature.
Conclusion
While acknowledging the significant role of economic power in shaping China's global influence by 1997, this essay will argue that other factors, such as political and military leverage, were also crucial. The essay will analyze how economic growth contributed to China's rise, but also explore how it intertwined with other factors to shape China's position on the world stage.
Extracts from Mark Schemes
Arguments Supporting China's Global Influence by 1997 as Primarily Economic
Arguments supporting the view that China’s global influence by 1997 was primarily the result of its economic power might include:
⭐Chinese economic growth, by 1997, had reached 8% per annum and had been largely created by Western investments in vast new cities like Shenzhen. Western economies had become increasingly reliant on trade with China in the 1990s and so China was increasingly part of the global economy, giving it global influence.
⭐In 1994 the USA awarded China ‘most favoured nation’ status in trade, which acknowledged the importance of China as an economic world power. Clinton’s ‘de-linking’ policy also demonstrated that the West was prepared to turn a blind eye to China’s human rights record in exchange for increasing trade, giving China more power and influence both domestically and on the world stage.
⭐China’s membership of the IMF and World Bank in 1997 made it an integral part of the global economy that showed China’s willingness to engage on the world stage, and World Bank investment in China further developed economic growth and international trade and influence.
⭐China was also prepared to overlook historical disputes with other countries in return for increasing economic power, and its relationship with Japan is a good example. The Friendship Treaty of 1978 improved relations and Chinese influence in the region were driving by the economic advantages for both countries; by the mid-1990s, Japan was China’s largest overseas trading partner.
⭐In the late 1990s, China began a policy of investment in East Africa and this increased China’s economic presence in the developing world and gave it greater international status and influence as an economic power.
Arguments Challenging the View that China's Global Influence by 1997 was Primarily Economic
Arguments challenging the view that China’s global influence by 1997 was primarily the result of its economic power might include:
⭐China’s permanent membership of the UN Security Council gave it international political status, and though rarely used, its veto gave it the ability to influence events on the world stage, such as in 1997 when it blocked American policy in Central America.
⭐China’s increasing military control in the Pacific Rim – for example, exploiting US military withdrawal from the Philippines and seizing part of the disputed Spratley Islands from Vietnam in 1998 – has increased China’s global influence and status through military expansion rather than economics.
⭐The return of Hong Kong to China in 1997 marked a decisive end to historic Western influence in China, and the terms of the handover were highly beneficial to Chinese interests. Being free of this historic Western role in China gave it more global influence.
⭐The collapse of the USSR in 1991 increased China’s international power, leaving it as the most powerful Communist country in the world. Russian withdrawal from the Pacific increased China’s influence, and Deng’s decision to follow a more open policy with the West than the USSR gave China increased international importance.
Conclusion
Whilst there are other reasons why China had global influence by 1997, economic factors were indeed paramount, and influenced many of the other reasons for China’s rise on the world stage. For example, the return of Hong Kong brought Asia’s most prosperous city into Chinese control and control of the Pacific Rim gave China more control over trade in the region, especially coal and oil, vital for China’s further economic expansion.