中共參與APEC十年來,由一區域經濟組織的新成員,發展成為對區域經濟有影響力的重要角色,其策略係經由適應(adaptation)與學習(learning)的過程以茲達成,雖以單純的發展中國大陸的經濟實力為核心的出發點,但卻在亞太各國之間微妙關係中,運用了現實主義中複雜的單邊實力外交、權力平衡及策略聯盟等基本思考邏輯,有技巧地爭取中國大陸整體國家利益:如國家安全、國家主權、經濟發展、國家統一及國際地位等。中共與APEC會議的關係可以說是新現實主義基本中心思想─擴張「自我利益」(self-interests)的最佳寫照。而中共在APEC中的策略與角色的變化也反應了新現實主義論者所描寫的「國家在經濟能力有所突破時,自然會尋求平衡霸權的地位,進而爭取主導的角色,系統內的權力結構也會因此而演變成兩個或是多個強權的現象」。本文旨在分析中國大陸參與 APEC會議的策略及其角色轉變的過程,並藉著國際關係理論中新現實主義理論觀點的分析脈絡,探討中共與APEC之互動關係的主要因素。
Beijing has strong economic interests in APEC, yet also sees APEC as an occasion to expand China’s political connections with APEC member and bolster the country’s image as an active cooperative participant in regional dialogues. Since joining APEC in 1991, Beijing has successfully transformed itself from a low profile “constructive partner” to a more assertive “regional leader.” Most realists believe that “states with the capability to become major powers naturally seek to challenge the hegemony’s preponderance and pursue great-power status that in turn produces a shift from unipolarity to multipolarity.” This article offers neo-realist interpretations to analyze China’s emerging role in APEC.