This talk debunks a major myth about Chinese foreign policy - the belief that China is single-mindedly aggressive and is out there to take control of the entire world, especially military. Instead, based on the speaker’s research, Chinese foreign policy follows the goldilocks choices, that is, choosing the middle ground. Using the speaker’s empirical studies of Chinese coercion in the South China Sea, the talk demonstrates that even in coercive behavior, China
makes the goldilocks choice. For one, Chinese coercion is selective in targets. China does not
coercion all targets. For another, China tends to prefer non-militarized coercive tools to avoid
escalation. This talk aims at using evidence-based research to provide a more objective and accurate picture of Chinese foreign policy. Ketian Vivian Zhang is an Assistant Professor of International Security in the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University. Ketian studies rising powers, coercion, economic statecraft, and maritime disputes in international relations and social movements in comparative politics, with a regional focus on China and East Asia. Her research agenda emphasizes how globalized production and supply chains affect states' foreign policy and domestic state-society relations, especially regarding coercion and protests. Her research has appeared or is forthcoming in International Security, Journal of Strategic Studies, and Journal of Contemporary China. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx