The-Doctrine-Of-The-Golden-Mean-in-Chinese-Diplomacy.docx

The Doctrine Of The Golden Mean in Chinese DiplomacyAbstract: The “Golden Mean” diplomacy, first and foremost, emphasizes balance. Commitment to the middle way means refusal to extremes and confrontations. Balance is at the core of the theory of “Golden Mean” diplomacy. The various processes in the international relations are connected with, rather than isolated from or opposed to each other. As a result, it calls for a balanced approach.Key words: The Doctrine Of The Golden Mean diplomacy international relationIn philosophy, especially that of Aristotle, the golden mean is the desirable middle between two extremes, one of excess and the other of deficiency. A sage once reduced all virtue to the golden mean. Push right to the extreme and it becomes wrong; press all the juice from an orange and it becomes bitter. Even in enjoyment never go to extremes.The Origins of the Feature of “Golden Mean” in Chinas antient DiplomacyIt should be said that Chinas diplomacy featuring the “Golden Mean” originates from the following three aspects:1. The combination of tradition and innovation, especially a return to Chinese cultural traditions. It goes beyond denial that Chinas diplomacy since the reform and opening up has been based on deep reflections on and repudiation of the dogmatic and ultra-left diplomatic line pursued during the Cultural Revolution. After the introduction of the reform and opening up program, China chose neither to follow the outdated revolutionary diplomacy aimed at overthrowing the existing international order, nor to embrace Western diplomatic theories. Chinas diplomacy started to turn to the profound Chinese traditional culture and philosophy for nourishment and wisdom. 2. Fruit of the reform and opening up, continuation of development of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the field of foreign affairs and the external features of Chinas path of development. Diplomacy is the extension of domestic affairs. In the three decades since Chinas reform and opening up, China did not follow the traditional beaten track, nor ape the existing diplomatic theories of the West at every step. Rather, it has explored its way forward in the course of its modernization drive and transition. We in China refer to this process as building socialism with Chinese characteristics. Successive national congresses of the Communist Party of China stressed that the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics is a path of peaceful development. Chinas new diplomacy is an embodiment of socialism with Chinese characteristics in foreign affairs and its distinctiveness is defined by Chinas path of development.The Modern Significance of“Golden Mean” Diplomacy Combining Chinas traditions and reality, the distinctive “Golden Mean” of Chinas diplomacy is highly compatible with the trend of the development of the world today, and is of important modern significance and universality. It is mainly because:1. In terms of players, globalization and the information revolution have enormously increased the number of players on the international arena. These players are increasingly independent, interactive, well organized and decentralized. States ability to control has diminished by a large margin and the orderliness of the system diluted with authority spreading to the top and the bottom, leading to much more uncertainty and dynamism. Such a scenario is very prominent in world economy and security, calling for national behaviors more flexible and adaptable. Therefore, a middle way in diplomacy is better tailored to the new situations than other options.2. In terms of structure, the clear demarcation between friends and foes during the era of the Cold War will hardly reappear in the international system. There exists, within the system, multiple structures and multiple inter-dependent relationships as a result of globalization. Problems arise from different fields, but still inter-linked. The interactions among players manifest themselves as processes each distinctive from others, developing in a network with interwoven relationships of multiplicity. Under the new circumstances, no force could single-handedly take on all the fields and processes, hence broad space is provided for different power patterns and models of diplomacy. It also calls on countries to put on more hats and perform more functions, or in other words, to assume more identities and play more roles. The multiplicity of Chinas identities simply echoes the call of the times.3. The dichotomy in the thinking of the West is facing unprecedented challenges, while “Golden Mean” as a philosophical idea is of important universal value and modern significance. The “Golden Mean” diplomacy reflects the relationship between the changes and links of matters. International relations in a globalizing world are in fact a network of relationships of multiple factors interacting with each other. A multitude of issues are linked with each other while matters develop and change rapidly, exerting influence upon one another. The “Golden Mean” is, in fact, aimed at winning a more favorable position in the shifts and changes of pluralistic relations to better serve ones interests. Of course, the maintenance of relations needs to be constantly standardized. One should win over peoples hearts with sincere feelings and enlighten them by means of reason. Interactions need to follow