Contenu du sommaire : Regards géopolitiques sur la Chine

The Rural Challenge of the « Chinese Dream » At a time when Xi Jinping imposes his new motto « Chinese dream », the development of rural areas, where more than 600 million people live, is still a huge task for the Chinese Communist Party. The use by Chinese specialists of the concept of “three rural issues” (sannong wenti) summarizes the urgent need for China to modernize agriculture, improve the socio-economic situation of farmers and develop basic infrastructure in rural areas. Otherwise, some believe that these “three rural issues” could threaten economic growth, social stability and perhaps the influence of the ruling party. After first looking at the various rural policies since the beginning of the reforms, this article will analyze their implications and recent developments. Finally, it will attempt to highlight the political problem that reflects the situation of rural China, including the role of local authorities.

Sustainable Development and Corporate Social Responsibility in today's China Although the magnitude of the environmental challenges faced by China is generally recognized, the resoluteness and effectiveness of its response are subject to differing assessments. This article examines the relationship now established between sustainable development and corporate social responsibility (CSR). After presenting the ecological situation of contemporary China, the article discusses the increasing importance of CSR-related concepts in the Chinese context during the last twenty years or so, insisting on the fact that the law itself requires a proactive approach from companies of the CSR imperative. It then examines the cultural roots of CSR : the study of the entrepreneurial pattern that was characteristic of southeast China in particular, as well as the fluidity of “Chinese tradition” implies that CSR can be encouraged by a reinterpretation of concepts and practices anchored into history. The last section outlines the dynamic that now binds ecological modernization and socio-cultural changes.

China and Climate Change This article analyzes the reasons behind China's reluctance to accept binding agreements in the international negotiations concerning climate change. It highlights the relationship between China's economic growth of the last thirty years and the volume of its greenhouse gases emissions. We thus have a precise idea of the current Chinese “contribution” to climate change and what this “contribution” could be in the future if no new policies are implemented. The second part of the article focuses on two factors that could lead China to reduce its greenhouse gases emissions : the health impact of air pollution on the Chinese population and the promising perspectives of the development of green technologies.

Cross-strait Relations under Ma-Ying-jeou : an Impossible Status quo Since Ma Ying-jeou's first election in 2008 and the Kuomintang's return to power in Taiwan, cross-strait relations have enjoyed a certain degree of stabilization. The signing of numerous agreements and the rapid liberalization of exchanges bring some observers to conclude that China-Taiwan relations are henceforth on a path to inexorable “peaceful unification”. But behind this apparent détente, all the driving forces creating tensions in the Taiwan Strait are still at work. Contrary to Ma's assertions, his years in office are not characterized by the preservation of the status quo or appeasement, and they have certainly not brought an end to the Chinese threat. In return, they have weakened Taiwan's position whereas the identification to a Taiwanese nation-state and the rejection of unification are still consolidating.

China at all levels : The impact of neighboring China on spatial and social transformations in Central Asia In two decades, the geopolitical landscape of post-Soviet Central Asia has undergone profound changes, and China has played in major roles in these evolutions. Neighboring China has left a new imprint on the Central Asian societies, and on several levels : it has modeled the regional identity of Central Asia through the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the “Silk Roads” discourse ; it has offered each of the five states a sort of “China à la carte”, contributing to the creation in each country of a different vision of the Chinese neighbor depending on whether that which comes to the fore is the strategic partnership, economic cooperation, or cultural fears ; it has transformed the spatial and social realities at a micro-level by creating new local and social identities based on proximity with China.

The Dog and the Elephant. Japan in mirror of China China and Japan are a good case of a paradoxical geopolitical situation. Both are neighbors, one is continental, large and highly populated, other one is an archipelago, extended and smaller. Both belong to the same sinic civilization area. At no point throughout history has China invaded Japan, but Japan invaded China during the 15 years war (1931-1945). Although peace has been attained and economic relations have been growing since the 1980s, inheritance of this war is still heavy. One cannot understand it without examining the role of the USA.

The border incident of Spring 2013 : Interpreting China-India Relations The leadership transition that took place at the helm of the People's Republic of China between Autumn 2012 and Spring 2013 drew the attention of Indian authorities mostly because of the friendly gestures that it entailed. These goodwill gestures raised hopes of a progress on the security issues that had been disrupting the otherwise dense and diverse relations between the two countries. But, as the new Chinese leadership tried to deploy this new friendly policy towards India, a serious incident in the border areas came as a reminder that the Sino-Indian relationship was marked by a profound asymmetry. This incident, the most serious since the late 1980s, also confirms that the two neighbors are locked in a serious security dilemma. If the principle of status quo on the border areas remains the point of reference for authorities on both sides, it is weakened due to small scale – but highly symbolical – military movements, on the Himalayan heights.

China-Africa Relations : The New Responsibilities and Challenges of a Potential World Power Sino-African relations have witnessed an impressive development in the last decade. The expansion of these relations was favored by the adoption by Beijing of a new African policy aimed at fulfilling its growing economic needs as well as consolidating its status as a world power. The rapid increase of Sino-African trade volume, as well as the number of Chinese infrastructure projects in Africa, have directly contributed to deepening Beijing's diplomatic, and perhaps also strategic, relations with most African capitals. Nevertheless, this new Sino-African connection is not without problems, and for China new responsibilities and challenges. These multiple challenges are connected to the political, diplomatic and security consequences of China's growing economic and human footprint on the black continent. These challenges affect the real weight of China in Africa and its ability to influence its future.

China's Foreign Policy under Xi Jinping China renewed its governing team at the turn of 2013. Xi Jinping, the new head of the Chinese communist party, who also heads the Military central commission, initiated major adjustments in terms of foreign policy in less than a year. He personally oversaw two priority issues : the relations with the United States and security in Eastern Asia. He avoided the traditional ambiguity of China by expressing clearly its quest for strategic parity with the United States in Asia. Under its authority, Chinese foreign policy evolves towards more personalized decision-making, even though its development remains fragmented for non-priority issues. The article describes the incorporation of new diplomatic issues, confirmed under Xi Jinping : Chinese citizens' security abroad, cyber, and the affirmation of a doctrine opposing the western intrusions in the Middle East regarding the Libyan war.