Chanelling Bismarck in China's Foreign Policy
Wen Liao, The Financial Times | April 16, 2010
Modern China in many respects finds itself in a similar position to Bismarck’s Germany. ++ After German unification, Bismarck, fearing the development of “hostile coalitions,” sought to preserve the new European balance of power through prudent diplomacy. ++ To avoid a similar fate as the Second Reich, China needs to “maintain tolerably amicable relations with the US and develop an ‘Ostpolitik’ to keep smaller neighbors – such as members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations – happy.”
