This course explores China’s relations with some major players in East Asia such Japan, South Korea, Russia and ASEAN countries. Historically China’s relations with these countries were far from being peaceful and cooperative. In recent decades, China has invented a new strategy of 'peripheral diplomacy' which has significantly improved its relations with East Asian neighbors. However some outstanding problems and difficulties remain in China-East-Asian relations including territorial disputes, historical and cultural discord, and ideological and geopolitical conflicts. The course will analyze China’s major bilateral relations as well as its diplomacy with multilateral institutions and organizations in the region.

CILO-1: Acknowledge the geopolitical development in East Asia in the post-war period, focusing on China. CILO-2: Account for the basic concepts and theories that are used in international relations and apply them to China-East Asia relations. CILO-3: Collect and evaluate relevant sources, and apply the theories in a written work with critical thinking. CILO-4: Critically evaluate the areas of conflict and the level of regional cooperation, considering China’s changing role. CILO-5: Apply the relevant methodologies to identify the main regional players’ interests, and to assess how China's influence and growing geostrategic competition will affect the future international environment in East Asia.