Do Tianxia à diplomacia da hamonia: a influência confuciana na resposta chinesa à contenção comercial dos EUA (2017-2024)

Abstract

This work seeks to understand how Confucianism is evoked in contemporary Chinese foreign policy, through a case study of the country's response to the trade war with the United States of America (USA) from Donald Trump's first term (2017-2021) to Joe Biden's administration (2021-2024). It aims to answer the following research question: Did notions derived from Confucianism impact the Chinese response to the trade war imposed by the USA between 2017 and 2024? Based on a critical analysis of International Relations (IR) theories, the hypothesis arises that current Chinese political-international thought reflects Confucian elements, such as Tianxia ("all under heaven") and Datong (great harmony). Through critical provocations of Westernized theory, the study analyzes China's capacity to develop its own approach to international relations, observing the role of Confucian thought and how it is structured in the country's contemporary foreign policy. The primary sources are speeches by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Vice President Hang Zheng at forums such as the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the World Economic Forum (WEF), and other multilateral and regional arrangements. It is concluded that Confucianism has remained a strong philosophical tradition in China, even after several historical events that have profoundly altered the nation, maintaining a position that emphasizes harmony and cosmopolitanism, to the detriment of Western unilateralism. The country continues to uphold Confucian principles through the "Community with a Shared Future for Mankind" (CFCH) and its initiatives for common development, security, and civilization. It also reinforces win-win cooperation through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in opposition to US protectionism.