China's Foreign Policy Development and U.S.-Sino Relations After the Twentieth Chinese Communist Party Congress

Hung-Jen Wang

《Taiwan Strategists》 16期 (2022/12) Pp. 1-12

摘要

On October 22, 2022, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) concluded its 20^(th) Party Congress, a key political event held twice per decade to unveil the direction of China's domestic and foreign policy. The meeting attracted great interest from international media, but held few surprises for experienced observers. As expected, Chinese leader Xi Jinping started his third term as president, breaking the convention of a two-term/10-year limit established by Deng Xiaoping, and sending a strong message that he is not bound to Party restrictions in his effort to consolidate his personal power. Most commentators have focused on Xi's statement about leading China into a "new age"; this paper considers challenges and criticisms that are likely to arise. In his opening statement, Xi emphasized the goals of preserving national autonomy and sovereignty in foreign relations and pushing back against "external forces," especially those showing support for Taiwan independence. This paper also discusses the likelihood of Chinese foreign relations becoming increasingly confrontational, in part because of Xi's expanding power, and in part because of fundamental differences in values between China and the West, especially concerning democracy and human rights. The greatest threat to Taiwan might not be China's rising material power, but rather Beijing's efforts to overturn established liberal/Western practices on the island-nation.

關鍵字

Xi Jinping ； 20^(th) Party Congress ； External Forces ； Taiwan Independence ； Power Consolidation