China's peaceful rise

This article is part of a series about Hu Jintao
Hu–Wen Administration 2002 election as General Secretary 2007 reelection as General Secretary Tuanpai Policies and theories China's peaceful rise Eight Honors and Eight Shames Harmonious Society Scientific Outlook on Development Key events International trips 2002–2004 SARS outbreak Baoxian campaign Anti-Secession Law 2005 Pan–Blue visits to mainland China 2008 Tibetan unrest 2008 Summer Olympics July 2009 Ürümqi riots
v t e

"China's peaceful rise", currently referred to as "China's peaceful development", was an official policy and political slogan in China under former General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Hu Jintao which sought to assure the international community that China's growing political, economic, and military power would not pose a threat to international peace and security.^[1]

Originally formulated by Zheng Bijian as part of a Ministry of State Security (MSS) influence operation,^[2] the term characterized China as a responsible world leader that avoids unnecessary international confrontation, emphasizes soft power, and vows that China is committed to its own internal issues and improving the welfare of its own people before interfering in world affairs. Furthermore, it sought to rebut the "China threat theory" and reestablish the view of China as a non-threatening world power, as historically Chinese empires were regarded as less aggressive.^[3]

Among Chinese authorities as well as academics, there was disagreement about the term—particularly a concern that the word 'rise' might fuel perceptions that China was a threat to the current status quo. Therefore, since 2004, the term "China's peaceful development" has been used by the Chinese leadership.^[1]