ABSTRACT
The rise of China has transformed international politics. Today, every part of the world and every facet of international relations feels China’s power and influence. Analyses indicate that Beijing has pursued pragmatic strategies to enhance its comprehensive national capabilities as well as international influence. In contrast, structural realism focuses on the international system’s impact on state preferences, motives, and behaviours. However, whilst neorealism or structural realism points toward the vital importance of power for state security and survival, international relations scholars cannot agree on the relative importance of power versus security. The debate between defensive and offensive realism regarding states motives and preferences has important implications understanding their foreign policies and strategies. Therefore, China’s remarkable rise has transformed the world with profound implications. Its singular success has contributed to the end of the post-Cold War order defined by American-led unipolarity.
