Peacekeeping Operations of China in the Changing International Power Structure and World Political Order

Abstract

With the power struggle among international political forces as well as the changes in world power structure, at present, the relational construction between rising countries and defending powers, and the cause and effect of world order and international geopolitics has become the focus of attention in the academic circle of international relations. Two distinguishable schools have interdependently evolved over the past years－the Rise of China and the Threat of China. Under such theoretical frameworks and international realities, new significance has been added to China’s participation in the overseas peacekeeping operations of the United Nations. On the basis of current situation of national powers, this paper, guided by structural realism, mainly explores the following issues from the perspective of the change of power structure: a) In the new circumstances, what effects will China’s increasing constructive efforts in overseas peacekeeping operations make on regional security pattern and world political order? b) To what a suitable degree should China undertake overseas peacekeeping operations? and c) How should China address the challenges and opportunities of world order change during the peacekeeping operations?