From Comprehensive Legitimacy to Selective Embedment: The Evolution of China’s Attitude Towards the International Order Following the Cold War

Abstract: As a strong regional power and an emerging state, China’s gradual integration into the international community is clearly reflected in its evolving attitude towards the international order.Neither Realism, institutionalism, constructivism nor culturalism can completely explain the evolution of China’s attitude.This article applies discourse analysis and fuzzy set analysis to understand China’s evolving attitude towards the international order, and argues that since the end of the Cold War, China’s attitude has shifted from one of seeking comprehensive legitimacy through the international system to seeking to selectively embed itself within the international order.The article draws on theories from economics, political science, and sociology to formulate a theoretical framework which refers to as the “three weapons of international politics，” which can explain this historical shift.In the years immediately following the end of the Cold War, China relied primarily on weapons of the weak; from the beginning of the 21st century, China has started to apply all three “weapons” of international politics.