CHINESE PERSPECTIVES ON ALLIANCE AND ALIGNMENT: ENTRAPMENT CONCERNS IN CHINA’S FOREIGN RELATIONS

The article traces concerns about entrapment in Chinese thinking foreign relations and how these have resulted a general rejection of alliances. People's Republic China was born with dilemmas vis-à-vis the Soviet Union that became real when Beijing drawn into Korean War at time did not suit Beijing's strategic interests. During post-Cold era, China's dialogue coordination NATO has given its leadership greater knowledge alliance's strengths weaknesses confirmed scepticism towards formal Instead, set out to build more flexible partnerships, particularly Russia, allow both sides arrangement avoid each other's different geopolitical security agendas. In an era competition United States, partnership Moscow become cornerstone efforts protect global power influence. At same time, sought new entrapments by expanding engagement countries ‘Global South’. Besides commitments limited cooperation such as joint exercises training, protection overseas interests arms sales, countering Western aims, establishing military presence are centre engagements. Far-reaching other close integration forces on cards. Such agreements would come cost partnerships freedom action.