Abstract
This article examines the link between China's grand strategy and its participation in multilateral organisations in Asia. It argues that Chinese multilateralism arises because multilateral organisations provide a highly effective mechanism for China to achieve its strategic objectives and not indicative of a more fundamental commitment by Beijing to promoting multilateral engagement on transnational issues more generally. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, ASEAN Plus Three, the East Asia Summit, Six-Party Talks and the South China Sea disputes are used to highlight both the continuing importance of unilateralism/bilateralism in Chinese grand strategy and the complex nature of Beijing's multilateralism.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 57-82 |
| Journal | Security Challenges |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Publication status | Published - 2012 |