Chinese Wisdom: A Necessity in a Changing World Order

Chinese strategic wisdom, grounded in four major concepts, guides its approach to international relations. In the context of a rapidly changing world order, these principles offer timeless wisdom that the world needs today more than ever to address complex global challenges, maintain stability, and foster cooperative solutions.

“When benevolence and justice are not practiced, the position of strength shifts” (Jia Yi)

“When benevolence and justice are not practiced, the position of strength shifts” (Jia Yi)

Four Strategic Concepts

The concept of Tiānxià, translated as ‘All Under Heaven,’ is the classical and foundational idea in ancient Chinese political discourse. It is closely linked to the early Chinese cosmology and governance philosophy. It simply contends that the world is interconnected, where a unified moral-political order exists. It views the international arena as a harmonized system where there is no room for fragmentation and chaos. This concept is extensively discussed in ancient Chinese texts, including the ‘Shujing’ (Book of Documents) and ‘Liji’ (Book of Rites). This idea is based upon key principles: a single political community should exist; authority should be derived from justice, benevolence, and the welfare of people; and there should be a Datong (Great Harmony), which is characterized by integration, not domination. The PRC’s Belt and Road Initiative is its prime example whereby China promotes economic interdependence under a shared system.

The concept of Hé ér bù tóng, meaning ‘harmony without uniformity,’ is another pearl of ancient Chinese wisdom, which, if implemented today in its true form, could lead to a more prosperous world. This concept was first provided by ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius in his classical text, the Lúnyǔ (Analects). He famously stated, “The gentleman seeks harmony but not sameness; the petty man seeks sameness but not harmony.” This idea stipulates various principles. Diverse systems and cultures are compatible. Diversity is not a curse but a blessing. Unity and autonomy should have a delicate balance. This idea is reflected in Chinese-led international organizations such as BRICS, whereby different nations belonging to distinct state systems, cultures, and political thoughts cooperate with each other, prioritizing harmony over uniformity.

The idea of Shì, which can be translated as ‘strategic arrangement of power,’ draws its origins from the works of two of the most outstanding ancient Chinese philosophers and thinkers, Han Feizi and Sun Tzu. Whereas Sun Tzu used this concept on military policies, Han Feizi was more concerned with politics and governance. It negates that idea of brute force; rather, healthy competition is emphasized. This principle states that the positioning of an entity decides its fate. Even a weaker state can win against a stronger one if it controls terrain, time, and position. It works on the idea that the best victory is the one that occurs without direct confrontation. In addition, it also emphasizes the importance of adaptability in the ever-changing geopolitical environment.

Wú Wéi, also known as ‘non-coercive action,’ contends that statesmen should observe strategic restraint and avoid excessive interventions in state affairs. The concept is based on the fact that minimum interference would produce maximum results. Classical Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu proposed this idea in his canonical work Dao De Jing. He pointed out that rulers must not impose their will too much but instead go with the flow. His famous words were, ‘The best of rulers is but a shadowy figure, who allows the people to rule themselves; even so, all is well.’ This idea also calls for the minimization of conflict, which is the reason we observe China’s non-confrontational stance in international matters. It simply contends that avoiding unnecessary aggression or use of force would result in eternal stability and sustainability. The PRC’s COVID-19 policies are its best manifestation. Instead of pursuing tactical policies, China opted for vaccine diplomacy, allowing the international community to adapt according to their needs and wants.

Why These Concepts Matter Today?

The classical Chinese strategic concepts provide a clear roadmap for every nation, belonging to any ideology, to follow and get the desired outcome in a peaceful manner. The current multipolar world order is in dire need of such guiding principles. What the West has always been doing is implementing their version of a governance model throughout the globe. The Trump 2.0 administration is even more ambitious to do this, which has created a mess on the international chessboard.

The world should abide by the principle of Hé ér bù tóng, which enables diverse groups to coexist peacefully. To preserve its past position of eminence, the US has now embarked on a path whereby it is pursuing a policy of overt domination, compelling states to follow a particular set of standards. This fragmentation could be tackled by the idea of Tiānxià, which promotes integration rather than domination. The multipolarity is a fact today, and the US should come out of its unipolar illusion.

Likewise, the US is once again instigating its competitors by creating instability at their doorsteps. Iran is under attack, Taiwan is already volatile, Japan is going on the offensive, and the Philippines is becoming a new Ukraine. All this arrangement is to hurt the PRC. The world should uphold the principle of Shì — the strategic configuration of power whereby, instead of waging wars against the competitors, an indirect and healthy competition should be observed.

There should be an environment where strategies are executed in a peaceful way to mold the outcomes in one’s own favor. This is exactly what the world is right now witnessing, with the PRC letting the US make mistakes without direct confrontation. Whether it’s Venezuela, Iran, or Cuba, the US is overtly using force to alter the status quo. The world now requires a non-coercive governance model — Wú Wéi — which is characterized by strategic restraint and observes the principles of non-interference.

From Tiānxià to Wú Wéi, Chinese wisdom is calling the world to break the shackles of the past and usher in an era characterized by harmony, integration, and prosperity. The PRC has never imposed its governance model; rather, it has always allowed the international community to adapt Chinese principles as per their strategic needs. Contrary to this, the West has always tried to impose its self-constructed principles on others, the results of which are now apparent. The world is once again standing at the brink of a major catastrophe, which is clear proof of Western failure in managing the geopolitics. Therefore, it’s the prime time to acknowledge the fact and embark on a journey where the wisdom and intellect of different civilizations collectively function together.

Taut Bataut is a researcher and writer that publishes on South Asian geopolitics

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