How far has China economic reforms affected its governance and international

image since 1978?

1978 can be said to be a turning point in Chinas governance and international
image where thereon China increasingly attracted global attention to its
development due to the potential it has as a market and subsequently even to
become a global player. While the country retains its authoritarian rule and
remains ideologically different from most other countries in the world even
today, consequences of economic success have changed the realities within and
without China, compelling the CCP to run the country and project its global
image differently. Hence, this essay seeks to argue that economic reforms have
radically transformed the governance and international image of China as it is
imperative for China to adapt to the changing socio-economic realities should it
continue to be an economic powerhouse.
Domestically, economic reforms have radically changed the legitimacy of CCPs
rule by bringing in other pillars of legitimacy. Whereas the past communism
formed the premise of CCPs legitimacy to rule, the amount of money
squandered through corruption scandals since economic reforms brought in
wealth have blatantly contradicted the egalitarian principle the party is supposed
to follow such that communism can no longer be the foundation of legitimacy.
The absence of competitive political process and free press which make even
public sector susceptible to fraud, thefts, kickbacks and bribery only further
serves to weaken CCPs mandate to rule. As a result, other pillars of legitimacy
like nationalism, civil governance and populism had to be added to support CCPs
legitimacy and governance to rule as such no longer followed the Maoist
principles it once did.
However, by bringing in prosperity for the people, economic reforms help in
persisting the authoritarian rule of CCP in the country and keeping the partys
rule largely unchallenged and without popular opposition. Economic prosperity
has been the line of defense for CCP that have made it possible for a large
majority of the people to stay at least passively acceptant of CCPs authoritarian
rule. Due to the success of economic reforms, living standards for both the rural
residents and the urbanites have vastly and greatly improved. Since Chinas
opening up, 400million people have been lifted out of poverty. In 2003 alone, in
spite of the outbreak of SARS, 13million jobs were created. Real income for rural
residents grew by 4.3%. CCP, with its promise of people-centered development
to the country, has been able to gain the continual support of the people to unite
with it in spurring the Chinese economy. 20.95trillion yuan raked in in 2006
shows that CCP has been successful at uniting the people through economic
development, and at the same time safeguard its legitimacy as people are kept
content with the status quo. The economic successes of the CCP have caused the
emergence of a middle class in China that largely supports the CCP for fear of
rocking the boat of prosperity. As such, economic reforms have the reverse
impact in persisting the authoritarian rule of CCP in the country.
Globally, ties between China and other countries have become closer as it
becomes the land of innumerable economic opportunities with economic
reforms. Chinas vast cheap labour supply and pro-business government made it
the favourite manufacturing and investment hub for foreign businesses.
Businesses from around the world are also eager to sell their produce in the huge
Chinese market. China pulled Japan and later Korea out form their recessions
since 1990s. Both developed countries from the West and states of the

developing continent are dependent on cheap Chinese manufactured imports.

Countries like Australia and South Africa relied on the Chinese demands for the
export of their primary resources. This is especially so after the developed
economies began to falter during the 2008-2009 global financial crisis. As such,
economic reforms have radically changed Chinas image by improving its
relevancy to the rest of the world.
However, Chinas expanding political influences as a result of its economic
ascendency have caused concerned amongst many countries. The US and EU are
wary of Chinese expansion on the African continent. Rising popularity of the
Beijing Consensus amongst governments of the developing nations especially
after 2009 alarmed the western democracies to their declining influence.
Countries like Russia, India and Indonesia are fearful of their economic
dependency on China, which might translate to political vulnerabilities. Rapidly
growing yet opaque budget of the Chinese military has become the concern of
many nations. Chinas newfound confidence after 2009, as displayed in its
diplomatic assertiveness during the Copenhagen Climate Summit and aggressive
against perceived anti-China measures undertaken by the west, has been
watched with apprehension by many government. Hence, economic reforms in
this sense, may have the reverse impact of spoiling Chinas positive image by
overcasting it with suspicion.
Nevertheless, Dengs economic reforms have radically transformed the
international image of China from a closed communist country to a more
capitalist and potentially democratic one. Since Chinas opening up in 1978, she
has become a more welcomed ally of the West against the USSR during the Cold
War. Between 1979 to 1989 the world saw China as less of an ideological and
military threat, given the economic opportunities it offered. Coupled with the
practice of Panda diplomacy, economic reforms transformed the international
relations China had with others for the better.
Still, Chinas economic policies, overseas expansion, aggressive acquisition of
food and other resources, have nonetheless aroused fear and suspicion around
the world. Western economies have often accused China of protectionism,
dumping, copyright infringements and other unfair trade practices. Trade wars
between China and the West such as the US and EU have become more common
especially after 2009. Even developing countries are unhappy with competition
from cheap Chinese products. Faulty products and poisoned food from China
have strained its relations with some countries. Many countries are alarmed by
Chinas arms sales and support for dictatorial regimes in Africa, in return for oil
and other resources. Chinese attempts to purchase foreign industries of strategic
importance have aroused fears in some states. For example, Chinese stakes in
Americas Blackstone Inc.; failed Chinese bid to buy over RioTinto of Australia
and UNOCAL in the US.
In conclusion, China today continues to retain its authoritarian rule and remains
reputably ideologically different from most other countries even with economic
reforms. However, with the socio-economic realities changing, China has
nevertheless been compelled to govern and project its global image differently.
Therefore, by and large economic reforms have radically transformed the
governance and international image of China as it is imperative for China to
adapt to the changing socio-economic realities since continuing to be an
economic powerhouse is the only way forward for China.