The Structure and Operation of China's Diplomatic System

Diplomacy is now under rapid evolution. This means ever-widening international contacts by official agencies other than the foreign ministry, the sub-state agencies, and non-state actors; the impact of information and communication revolution; and gradual ‘democratisation’, via institutional plurality, emerging public-private partnerships and a stronger role of home publics. Most foreign ministries now pursue reform as a continuous activity. China is one such example. The evolution in China's diplomatic system since 1949 demonstrates how professional expertise challenges ideological commitment, though both criteria remain relevant. On strategic policy issues, this system is highly efficient, and coordinated through the ‘leading small group’ mechanism operating under the Party Politburo. Yet inter-ministry harmonisation in routine issues is often blocked, thanks to the entrenched old vertical hierarchies. This limits in and out placements of officials, except within set parameters. Political diplomacy is today innovative and supple in its execution. The practice of economic diplomacy remains low key, with embassies less engaged in ‘marketing’ projects, compared with Western counterparts. Cultural diplomacy is shifting to high gear, and will be a major theme at the 2008 Olympics. Domestic public diplomacy, outreach to home publics has become a top priority. The foreign ministry makes effective use of think tanks and retired envoys to provide inputs into the policy process, and is far ahead of India in the multiple policy options that this plural process generates, though policy formulation remains tightly guarded and secretive. China's diplomatic service has unique features— a single class hierarchy; ruthless fast-track implementation that propels the talented to high office at early age; a major problem of attrition, with many quitting in the first few years; an excellent system of language and area specialisation; continuous gender inequality. We may count on continuing refinement and improvement of the Chinese diplomatic process.