CHINESE NATIONALISM AND CHINA'S ASSERTIVE FOREIGN POLICY

Chinese nationalism is motivated by two broad elements: one nation-building and, two, attainment of great power status. Drawing from the Confucian culturalism, these two elements have defined Chinese nationalism from a culturalist dimension and have shaped China's foreign policy goals. Since Chinese nationalism is aimed at achieving national salvation by removing the stigma of a victim-nation, China is increasingly playing a proactive role in international affairs. It is using nationalism not only to ensure domestic stability but also to create an international order conducive to its national interests. This has led China to advance its national interests in a manner that renders an assertive tenor to Chinese nationalism. Therefore, nationalism has engendered a proactive and an assertive foreign policy. Such a proactive policy is aimed at building an alternative international order, which would distinctly pose a challenge to US unilateralism and hegemonism.