Robert Flawith writes:
Graeme Dobell's mission to move beyond the mutually exclusive dichotomy of 'revisionist power' or 'status quo power' to more accurately describe the role of a mercurial China in the future of international relations is an admirable one.
However, his explanation of China as a 'status quo-tidal' power seemed to me to fail the basic logic test. He writes that the CCP likes that part of the status quo where the relative economic and military power tide is flowing in Beijing's favour.
So, China likes the status quo, so long as the status quo keeps revising itself in Beijing's favour? That sounds like a description of a plain-old revisionist power to me.
Personally, I welcome China's rise and do not believe China poses a threat to the international community, however I also think it is wise to hedge against future security uncertainties in this area. I'm not sure if this makes me a 'Panda Slayer' or a 'Dragon Hugger'...
