The China's Rise and Security Implications is a concept in international relations that describes the dramatic increase in China's comprehensive national power and its subsequent impact on the global and regional security order. The foundation for this rise was laid by Deng Xiaoping's economic reforms, with China's admission to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) marking a turning point for its economic and military growth. The concept gained prominence as China's power and influence grew dramatically, particularly since around 2000.
The mechanism of this rise involves two key components. First, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is undergoing a massive modernization drive, guided by Xi Jinping's 2027 Centennial Military Building Goal to create a fully mechanised, informatised, and intelligentised force. This includes developing cutting-edge capabilities in space, artificial intelligence (AI), and cyberwarfare. Second, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), announced in 2013, serves as the primary mechanism of economic statecraft, involving massive infrastructure investments across over 140 countries, which introduces geopolitical and debt-related risks.
This concept connects directly to the US-China strategic competition, which Beijing now seeks to manage through a framework of "constructive strategic stability". It also fuels regional tensions, particularly in the South China Sea, and drives the formation of counter-balancing security partnerships in the Indo-Pacific. Recently, China's foreign policy has become more proactive and assertive, moving away from Deng Xiaoping's guidance to "hide its capabilities and bide its time". Furthermore, China has expanded its definition of "national security" to include industry and finance, reflected in the revised National Defense Mobilization Law and new exit rules, effective September 15, which tighten control over strategic knowledge and personnel.