Multi-vectorality of the PRC’s modern foreign policy: balance between global ambitions and regional interests

The scientific novelty of this paper consists in a comprehensive analysis of China's multi-vector foreign policy through the prism of the balance between its global ambitions and regional interests. The study considers new approaches to understanding China's strategic goals, assesses the mechanisms of foreign policy initiatives and identifies contradictions arising in the process of their implementation. Such consideration allows us to gain a deeper understanding of the peculiarities of Chinese diplomacy and forecast its impact on the world system.

The scientific novelty of this paper is a deep understanding of the peculiarities of Chinese diplomacy, through a comprehensive analysis of the promotion of China's global initiatives, taking into account the regional interests of neighbouring countries, which is a multi-vector tool in the implementation of strategies. This study examines the contradictions in the implementation of China's international initiatives and assesses the methods and tools used to achieve its goals. Understood mechanisms for the implementation of China's global plans can help to make predictions about the political behaviour of China's diplomacy.

Research Methodology.

The following methodological approaches were applied in this study:

• -    Systemic analysis, examines the PRC's international policy and reveals a whole network of components integrated into each other.

• -    A comparative analysis of the PRC's foreign policy reveals similarities and differences in China's strategic goals at the regional and global levels.

• -    The historical method, in the context of events, examines continuity and innovation in Xi Jinping's diplomatic practice, which allows us to explore the evolution in the development of the PRC's foreign policy behaviour.

The analysis is based on a wide range of sources: official documents of the Chinese government, works of leading Russian and foreign Chinese scholars, and materials of international organisations. China's two and strategies in regional conflicts are analysed. Particular attention is paid to studies devoted to the famous initiatives "Chinese Dream" and "Belt and Road".

Analyses section.

The PRC and its global ambitions.

China's current activism demonstrates the nation's resurgence with a firm and confident step towards success in achieving great nation status. This confidence stands on an ideological argumentation that is based on the concept of the "Chinese Dream". This ideological agenda was set as early as 2012 by Xi Jinping, whose arrival has seen China's policies become more assertive in the international arena.

Under the leadership of China's leaders, the creation of a new architecture for an international commonwealth is a key tool in realising its strategic goals. The Belt and Road Strategy, launched in 2013, aims to build infrastructure facilities, create links in trade activities, exchange experiences and values in the cultural space between Africa, Latin America and Eurasia.

Expert Opinion: W.A. Callahan states, "The Belt and Road Initiative reflects China's desire to form a new regional order based on Chinese economic and political interests" [Callahan, 2016, p. 231]. This thesis shows that the conceptualisation of the existing system of international relations is worth rethinking. In this rethinking, official Beijing holds its position in the global economic and political plane.

Regional interests: China's strategy and relations in the Asia-Pacific.

China's ambitions and aspirations to guarantee security in the APR are a significant vector of its international agenda. China is interested in the economic perspective of the APR, as it has historical roots, and thus represents part of its stated global aspirations.

Beijing's growing influence due to its active participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has raised concerns among a number of neighbouring countries, as the integration of the economies of SCO members and the strengthening of political ties disrupts the usual economic and political patterns of the neighbours.

China's active actions are also evident in the South China Sea, where official Beijing claims a significant part of the water area. At the same time, this claim is supported by the active construction of artificial islands, which causes concern to the countries neighbouring China: the Philippines, Malaysia and Vi- etnam. Beijing claims to be acting in defence of its sovereignty and historical rights, but the international community views these actions as a threat to freedom of navigation and regional stability.

Balance between global and regional: contradictions and challenges.

China's promotion of its global initiative of "communities of common destiny of mankind" is controversial. "Communities of Common Destiny of Humanity" as a concept is an alternative model of governance in the state, calls for mutually beneficial cooperation and equality, but on the other hand, such a proposal is met with resistance from China's neighbouring countries as they feel pressured by global China.

As E.C. Economy notes, "Xi Jinping's policy is aimed at transforming China into a leading world power, which requires adaptation to new international realities" [Economy, 2018, p. 45]. The statement directly asserts that only for the regional agenda, by its actions, China cannot be responsible, now it is worth taking responsibility for global problems.

The expectations of the international community and the promotion of its national interests are the main object and at the same time a challenge to China's political and economic balance. China's accidental, forced, or deliberate aggression can form groups of states into alliances against China's global goals.

Soft power strategy and its limitations.

China's foreign policy is strengthening its position while advancing its strategic ambitions through the exercise of soft power:

• -    cultural diplomacy aims to demonstrate and share cultural norms, exchange ideas and works of art;

• -    joint educational programmes help to get to know better the linguistic peculiarities and traditional educational way of life of the interacting countries;

• -    humanitarian aid and provision of material support builds trust for further cooperation.

Established Confucius Institutes around the world popularise Chinese traditions and values, while holding forums and conferences to promote their global agenda.

However, as M.V. Karpov notes, "modern Chinese diplomacy: 'soft power' with hard constraints" [Karpov, 2019, p. 165]. Despite considerable efforts, the effectiveness of these initiatives remains limited. The international community's lack of proper transparency on human rights issues in the PRC makes the international community wary of China's political system. Therefore, the potential of the "soft power" instrument does not work effectively.

Interaction with major powers: USA and Russia.

In its relations with other major powers, China pursues a strategy of balancing cooperation and competition. With the US, relations are characterised as "strategic competition", especially in the areas of technology, trade and security. Trade wars and growing mutual mistrust complicate bilateral relations, leading to heightened geopolitical competition, which further aggravates the political situation of the two countries.

With Russia, China is developing different types of partnership programmes based on common aspirations to counter Western influence and strengthen multilateralism in international relations. Joint projects in energy, infrastructure and defence contribute to strengthening bilateral ties. However, as D. Shambaugh notes, "China's foreign policy is characterised by a complex mix of pragmatism and idealism" [Shambaugh, 2020, p. 212], which requires constant adaptation to changing conditions.

The economic component of foreign policy.

The academic world of political economy knows that economic diplomacy is one of the key tools for realising foreign policy goals and the PRC has demonstrated and used these tools well. Investments in infrastructure projects, trade agreements, loans and financial assistance, educational and cultural programmes allow China to strengthen its influence in various regions of the world. The Belt and Road Initiative is a vivid example of this approach.

However, the implementation of economic projects faces a number of challenges. Partner countries have expressed concerns about possible debt dependence on China, the environmental impact of the projects and the lack of transparency in the agreements. Geopolitical risks are also increasing, especially in regions with unstable political situations.

Regional stability and security.

China participates in UN peacekeeping operations, promotes conflict resolution and counter-terrorism. In this context, China is committed to maintaining regional stability and security.

However, its actions in the region are often perceived as destabilising.

Conclusion

The key challenge for the Chinese diplomatic corps is balancing the global agenda and regional priorities. In promoting the Belt and Road global project, China has to make compromises based on the realities of existing international relations. Therefore, China's foreign policy takes place and operates in the political and economic space, taking into account the historical and cultural contexts of states, which makes China's policy multivector.

China's ability to effectively combine its national interests with the expectations of the international community will determine its role in the emerging world order. Successful implementation of the "Chinese dream" requires overcoming contradictions and building trust with neighbouring countries and partners around the world.

The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of building a constructive dialogue for effective cooperation with the PRC. Understanding the deeper meanings of China's political and economic manoeuvres will help predict strategies for cooperation. The results of the study make it possible to develop tools for solving global and regional problems in business cooperation with the People's Republic of China, taking into account its multi-vector foreign policy.