CHINA’S ROLE IN INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY: FOREIGN POLICY AND THE IDEA OF A 'COMMUNITY OF SHARED FUTURE FOR MANKIND' ; O PAPEL DA CHINA NA SOCIEDADE INTERNACIONAL: POLÍTICA EXTERNA E A IDEIA DE UMA 'COMUNIDADE DE FUTURO COMPARTILHADO PARA A HUMANIDADE'

Dissertação de Mestrado em Relações Internacionais - Estudos da Paz, Segurança e Desenvolvimento apresentada à Faculdade de Economia ; This dissertation explores China’s vision of international relations from the Chinese concept of a “community of shared future for mankind” (CSFM) and assesses the potential global implications of Xi Jinping’s foreign policy strategy. It employs the English School (ES) theory as the theoretical lens to examine China’s long-term vision and role in international society, exploring multiple strategies and concepts of Chinese diplomacy since the foundation of People’s Republic of China in 1949. Furthermore, it investigates the theoretical foundations and practical applications of the concept of “community of shared future for mankind” through three case studies: a) the Belt and Road Initiative; b) China’s participation in the United Nations system; c) Beijing’s relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In light of this cases, this dissertation argues that the concept of “community of shared future for mankind” was established as a critical concept in Xi Jinping’s foreign policy to bridge the gap between China's material and ideological power by portraying Beijing as a leading global power dedicated to the advancement and reform of international society. In advancing this strategy, China is actively reshaping the international norms, institutions and rules to better reflect and accommodate Chinese values, principles and aspirations, while constraining Western dominance over international order. But this process is markedly gradualist and incremental to the global normative framework as China preserves the basic character of the Westphalian international order and pushes normative changes with caution. Based on our findings, this work thus suggests that China is already on its path to becoming a leading force on the world stage, however, its social norms still encounter limited social acceptance and legitimacy among the powerful nations of international ...