China's Selective Identities

This book discusses the role of selective identities in shaping China's position in regional and global affairs. It does so by using the concept of political transition of power, and argues that by taking different types of identities-state, ideology and culture-the Chinese government has adjusted China's identity to different kinds of audiences. By fitting different kinds of "self", China has secured its relatively peaceful transition within the existing system and in the meantime strengthened its capacity to place its principles within the existing system. In the case of its neighborhood, China presents itself as a state with the need of having clear-cut borders. In the case of the developing world (Global South) China narrates "self" as an ideology with the banner of materialism, equality and justice. For the third group of audience, the developed world, mainly Europe, the Chinese presents themselves as a peaceful, innocent cultural construct mainly based on Confucius' passive approach. By bringing these three identities into "one China's body" [ sanweiyiti], the Chinese skillfully maneuvers and builds its position in global affairs.