Chinese View of the International Relations Theory

The article considers the main trends of the international relations theory in China, namely Yan Xuetong's “Theory of Moral Realism”, Zhao Tingyang’s “Tianxia System”, and Qin Yaqing's “Realtional Theory”. The presented theories reflect the specificity of Chinese approach to the IR theory. It is possible to identify some certain similarities between them. Firstly, Chinese scholars try to build such a world order, where China will at least have a major, if not a central, role to play. Secondly, to justify the propriety and naturalness of such an order, the scientists use traditional Chinese culture, history, philosophy. Qin Yaqing and Zhao Qingyang often refer to Confucian philosophy and Yan Xuetong focuses on the Chinese thinker Sunzi. Thirdly, these scholars actively develop their own concepts, try to join Western theories and simultaneously criticize them. Regular publications of works by the proponents of the main IR theory strands in Chinese and English allow them to hold discussions with Western theorists and improve their own concepts. The authors come to a conclusion that it is premature to talk about the emergence of an integral and comprehensive Chinese international relations theory. Today we are witnessing a continued competition among different strands in the development of the IR theory in China between those who are trying to create their own theoretical framework for research, and those who study this theory using Western methodology. Even in this competition, each side makes some contribution to the creation of such a category as the Chinese School of International Relations Theory, stimulates research on international relations, which is important, since it promotes self-awareness of every intellectual group.