“A new form of international relations” conceptually corresponds to the term “international relations” while also embodying Chinese wisdom in the new era. Photo: TUCHONG

The development of any academic discipline is inextricably linked to its historical context and current environment. Placing Chinese international studies within the broader context of Chinese history, we will see a history of China’s international relations that evolves in tandem with the country’s history. 

Emergence of Chinese international studies

China’s interest in international relations began with the Opium Wars. During this period, the disciplinary development of international studies in China was influenced by the “eastward spread of Western learning,” on one hand, and closely associated with the country’s efforts to throw off the shackles of feudalism and pursue national modernization on the other hand.

In the Republican era, Chinese international studies concentrated on three areas: the history of international relations, international organizations and law, and diplomacy. It inherited the national ambition to “open our eyes to see the world” and save China from crises by drawing upon Western knowledge, while also paving the way for realizing the country’s century-long desire for independence and self-reliance.

First historical turn:

centered on history of international communist movement

The rise of the Socialist Bloc after World War II challenged the global dominance of capitalism. Two distinct schools of thought predominated in Chinese international studies after the founding of the PRC. One school was built upon the Western tradition, continuing and expanding international studies of the Republican era, with an emphasis on state behavior and disciplinary development. The other school arose from Soviet influence, revolving around the history of the international communist movement. From the introduction of “Foundations of Marxism-Leninism” as a core course at Renmin University of China in 1950, through the first half of the 1960s, the history of the international communist movement gradually developed into an independent discipline within China, with many Chinese universities establishing related degree programs, departments, and faculties.

Second historical turn:

return to “international studies”

Around the 1980s, as the international landscape witnessed drastic changes, the trajectory of Chinese international studies was influenced by two major events. First, with the introduction of the reform and opening-up, China sought to actively engage with the world and improve its relations with the West. Second, as the international communist movement began to decline, research on the history of the international communist movement waned. Against this backdrop, Chinese international studies reoriented itself toward its original pursuit.

Starting in the 1980s, a large number of Chinese scholars travelled to Western countries to study, deepening international academic exchange. Numerous Western academic works were translated into Chinese, while Chinese scholars actively pursued related research. From the 1990s to the early 21st century, the field of international studies in China not only systematically introduced classic Western theories and closely followed research developments abroad but also manifested a stronger desire for theoretical innovation.

Third historical turn:

from global governance to “a new form of international relations”

Over the past two decades, Chinese international studies has shifted its focus increasingly toward global governance. However, as a strategy for international relations and a subject in international studies, global governance cannot fully represent either international relations or the discipline of international studies.

“A new form of international relations,” characterized by cooperation and mutual benefit, conceptually corresponds more closely to the term “international relations” while also embodying Chinese wisdom in the new era. It advocates for replacing arrogance and bullying with mutual respect, replacing selfishness with fairness and justice, and replacing conflict and confrontation with win-win cooperation. The theory of a new form of international relations should not only introduce and build on traditional international relations theories but also incorporate elements of traditional Chinese culture, China’s diplomatic experience since the founding of the PRC, and the country’s vision and planning of a new form of international relations.

In conclusion, the third historical turn in Chinese international studies is not a retrospective on past theories but an effort to understand the present and chart a new course forward. Rather than a summary of theory, it is a call for a renewed theoretical approach.

Zhang Chang and Zhao Xuebo (professor) are from the School of Government and Public Affairs at the Communication University of China.