The future of diplomacy in a Sino-centric world

Shifts in relative power have already lead to changes in diplomatic practices…

For centuries, the rules of diplomatic engagement were shaped by Western powers, primarily rooted in European traditions and later refined through the dominance of the United States. Language is the perfect example - diplomacy was conducted through Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, French, and only in the last 100 years or so, predominatly in English (and sometimes Russian for some of the world). In the same way, were China to become the preeminent global power, Chinese traditions and conceivably language, would play a much greater role.

As China’s relative power grows, we will begin to see changes that reflect Chinese priorities, cultural norms, and strategic interests. To begin with, these will appear to be a departure from current practices because it is in China’s interest to maximize its capacity to operate within the pre-existing system. Many mistakenly assume that these practices are Chinese traditions. They mistakenly link the practices of a state maximizing its capacity to opera…