Chinese Foreign Policy as a Rising Power to find its Rightful Place

Abstract

This article seeks answers to two related questions in the context of China's rise as a great power. Has the Chinese leadership abandoned Deng's low-profile diplomacy and reoriented Chinese foreign policy towards a more assertive or even aggressive direction, supported by its new quotient of wealth and power? Is China ready to take a global leadership role and assume international responsibility as a great power? Focusing on China's foreign policy after the beginning of the global downturn in 2008, this article finds that China has indeed become increasingly assertive in its defence of so-called 'core' national interests, reacting stridently to all perceived slights against its national pride and sovereignty. While China has built its national.