Trust in peaceful rise

A major research institute in China has painted a gloomy picture of the situation the country is facing from its surrounding areas: Asia-Pacific countries harbor suspicion against and are worried over China's rising influence.

According to a blue paper released earlier this week by the Institute of Asia Pacific Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, such unfavorable sentiments have not only resulted in over estimation of China's influence in international affairs, but also led to misjudgment of China's non-hegemonic foreign policy. Worse, some countries have suggested that other big powers should check China's influence in the region.

Misunderstanding of China's foreign policy and the resultant miscommunication may have helped these unfavorable sentiments grow.