The Foreign Service Journal, May 2005

30 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / M A Y 2 0 0 5 F O C U S O N C H I N A C HINA ’ S N EW D IPLOMACY IN A SIA he traditional underpinnings of international relations in Asia are undergoing profound change, and the rise of China is a principal cause. … China’s new regional posture rests on the following four pillars: (1) participation in regional organizations; (2) establishment of strategic partnerships and deepening of bilateral relations; (3) expansion of regional economic ties; and (4) reduction of distrust and anxiety in the security sphere. With the exception of ASEAN, which was created in 1967, the growth in regional organizations and multilateralism in Asia is a relatively recent development. … The [regional groups] include ASEAN + 1 (ASEAN and China), ASEAN T A PROACTIVE PRC IS TRANSFORMING INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS THROUGHOUT A SIA . H ERE IS A LOOK AT THE FOUR PILLARS OF B EIJING ’ S NEW REGIONAL POSTURE . B Y D AVID S HAMBAUGH Jeff Moores