The 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) marks the pinnacle of China’s modern state-building and an important milestone in its rise as a global power. This milestone is marked by profound changes and continuities in both China’s domestic and foreign policy. While the current structure of China under Xi Jinping differs markedly from the legacies of the country’s founding leader Mao Zedong and reformist leader Deng Xiaoping, there is continuity in basic political and economic principles.
From a poor and war-weary country in 1949, the revolutionary China initiated by Mao Zedong has become a major economic and military power 75 years later. Deng Xiaoping’s market reforms and opening-up policies were the cornerstones of China’s economic miracle. But Xi Jinping’s policies since 2012 differ markedly from the legacies of these two leaders, with Xi promoting his vision of the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” through stronger Chinese Communist Party (CCP) control, a more assertive foreign policy and innovative economic moves.
Xi’s rejuvenation strategy is based on sustaining China’s economic growth through technological innovation and making it a more influential power in the international arena. To this end, he has launched important projects such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Made in China (MIC25) and “shared prosperity”. MIC25 is an industrial policy designed by the CCP as its national strategic plan. It includes directives from Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang’s administration to further develop China’s manufacturing sector.
In general, the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Five-Year Plans aim to move away from China’s role as the “Factory of the World”, producing low-tech products based on cheap labor and a low-cost supply chain. Instead, it aims to increase its manufacturing capabilities by shifting from labor-intensive manufacturing methods to technology-intensive production processes. MIC25 targets include increasing the content of basic materials produced in China to 70% by 2025. This goal aims to increase domestic production and independence by reducing dependence on foreign suppliers. The semiconductor industry in particular is at the center of the plan, promoting the production of high-tech products such as chips.[1]
Under Xi’s leadership, China has become a major player in global trade, a leader in critical technologies and has the world’s largest military. These achievements serve China’s domestic stability and economic growth as well as its strategic foreign policy goals. Xi’s reforms are not limited to economic growth, but also aim to eliminate social inequalities and improve the welfare of the people. The “shared prosperity” discourse has emerged as an important strategy in this direction.
China’s 75-year transformation is also remarkable in terms of international relations. Celebrated with a ceremony in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, this anniversary shows that China has great diplomatic weight with global leaders. Leaders from Kazakhstan to Saudi Arabia, from South Africa to France sent messages appreciating China’s regional and global role. These messages can be seen as an indication that China is deepening its strategic partnerships in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe.[ii] Such diplomatic messages show how China is perceived not only as an economic but also as a geopolitical power, especially given that the BRI is at the center of China’s foreign policy strategy. China’s rivalry with the United States (US) and the West is an important part of Xi’s vision, but it is emphasized that this rivalry should be shaped on the basis of mutual benefit, not as a zero-sum game. In this context, China’s “all-weather strategic partnerships” with many countries are noteworthy.
Under Xi’s leadership, China is trying to balance economic development with social welfare in domestic politics while carving out more space for itself on the global stage. It is a turning point that underscores China’s unprecedented 75-year transformation and China’s ambitions at the international level. China’s future course is largely shaped by Xi’s leadership vision, which is aligned with China’s goal of completing the modernization process and becoming a central actor in the global order. The 75th anniversary is not only an important milestone in the history of a nation, but also an event with profound repercussions on the international stage. The country’s transformation over the last 75 years from an impoverished and war-torn nation to a global power represents a compelling story of modern state-building and the creation of a new center of power in the international system. This transformation has led not only to economic growth and national development, but also to a reshaping of China’s role in international diplomacy and security.[iii]
In this context, when the rejuvenation strategy implemented by China under Xi Jinping’s leadership is evaluated from a neo-realist perspective, it is seen that China’s efforts to strengthen its national interests continue. Despite the different leadership styles under Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping, China’s main goal of increasing its economic and political power has not changed. The principle of policy continuity advocated by neo-realism is evident here, as Xi’s multipolar and state-centered initiatives such as the BRI, BRICS, etc. to expand China’s economic power and increase its influence in the international arena can be seen as part of a long-term strategy to shift the balance of power in China’s favor. With these initiatives, China has been trying to balance itself with the other great powers it competes with at the global level for 75 years.
However, the innovative policies implemented under Xi’s leadership also affect the country’s stance in international relations. Political stability within China continues in parallel with the country’s economic growth, which in turn affects the balance of power in international relations. In the process, China has become the world’s largest trading power, increasing its influence in the international arena and enabling it to forge strategic partnerships.
The congratulatory messages sent by many international leaders to Xi on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the PRC show China’s intentions to strengthen its influence in the world and its relations with other countries. In particular, the messages of support from Central Asian, Middle Eastern and African countries suggest that their strategic partnerships with China will deepen. The leaders of countries such as Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have emphasized their intention to strengthen their relations with China and to pursue a strategy that enhances China’s regional influence by emphasizing common development goals.[iv]
Relations with the United States are also an important theme of the 75th anniversary. The statements made by Chinese Ambassador to the US Xie Feng emphasize the need to reshape the relations between the two countries and the importance of a cooperation process based on mutual respect.[v] In this context, under Xi’s leadership, China’s greater presence at the international level could change the dynamics of the international system. As Xie notes, adopting a “win-win cooperation” approach could be the key to building a sustainable relationship between the two great powers.
In conclusion, the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China is an important milestone that determines the country’s role and future direction in international affairs. The policies adopted under Xi Jinping’s leadership combine economic growth and technological innovation with continuity in domestic and foreign policy. This process has resulted in China becoming more than just an economic power, deepening its diplomatic relations at the global level and increasing its geopolitical influence.
China’s growing presence on the international stage is reinforced by strategic partnerships, particularly in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. This paves the way for deepening not only economic cooperation but also political and security cooperation. Moreover, the reshaping of the dynamics in relations with the United States emphasizes the need to adopt an understanding of cooperation based on mutual respect.
China’s future position in international affairs will largely be shaped by Xi’s vision of the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation”, which is in line with the country’s goal of completing its modernization process and becoming a central actor in the global order. China’s future in international relations will therefore be shaped by both the stability provided by its domestic dynamics and the increase in its global interactions.
[1] “The 75-Year Quest to Make China Great Again”, The Diplomat, https://thediplomat.com/2024/10/the-75-year-quest-to-make-china-great-again/, (Date of Access: 03.10.2024).
[ii] “Flag-raising ceremony held at Tiananmen Square to celebrate 75th founding anniversary of PRC, CGTN, https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-10-01/Flag-raising-ceremony-held-to-mark-75th-founding-anniversary-of-PRC-1xkJGwSV0Xu/p.html, (Date of Access: 03.10.2024).
[iii] “Chinese embassies celebrate 75th founding anniversary of PRC”, CGTN, https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-10-02/Chinese-embassies-celebrates-75th-founding-anniversary-of-PRC-1xn5uuqEUTK/p.html, (Date of Access: 03.10.2024).
[iv] “World leaders send congratulations on PRC’s 75th founding anniversary, CGTN, https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-10-01/World-leaders-send-congratulations-on-PRC-s-75th-founding-anniversary-1xlRVb44Bgc/p.html, (Date of Access: 03.10.2024).
[v] Chinese embassies celebrate 75th founding anniversary of PRC, CGTN, https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-10-02/Chinese-embassies-celebrates-75th-founding-anniversary-of-PRC-1xn5uuqEUTK/p.html, (Date of Access: 03.10.2024).
