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There is growing interest in the role of sub-central actors in Chinese diplomatic evolution. This study explores Chinese diplomatic transformation from the perspective of so-called ‘multi-actors’. It begins with a discussion about the interaction of domestic and international politics, a context where Chinese diplomacy has transformed, and then identifies the roles of local governments, governmental agencies, NGOs and enterprises in China’s changing diplomatic system. The article suggests that these new groups of actors (referred to here as multi-actors) have become important factors to be reckoned with in the Chinese diplomatic system, although their roles are still limited compared with the central government. The article concludes that the establishment of a well-organized diplomatic system, which can be used to coordinate different actors and address transnational issues, will be an enduring challenge for the undergoing reform of the Chinese diplomatic system.

China has gradually formed a systematic and unique model in handling domestic and foreign affairs, in fields including foreign relations, political, economic, and social developments. In the organization of its political and social order, the concept of “cooperation” instead of “checks and balances” is the core spirit of the China model. Such a spirit has been manifested in specific institutional arrangements, such as multi-party cooperation, political consultation, the combination of legislative and executive powers, the United Front, the mixture of diverse forms of ownership, the coexistence of governmental and non-governmental organizations, and the cooperation of domestic politics and international politics. This spirit of cooperation embedded in China’s institutional arrangements diametrically differs from the spirit of checks and balances in the Western political order. As part of human political civilization, the China model can provide necessary ethical and political resources for the organization of the world order. Keywords:China model; domestic politics; international politics; multi-party cooperation; World order; world politics

Since the implementation of the Open Policy in 1978, China has been maintaining around 30 years of peaceful coexistence with its neighbouring countries,1 even though some territorial disputes have been acute in recent years. In the historical course of China’s international relations, its relationship with the world has been gradually transforming from independence to interdependence; the linkage between domestic and international issues has been vertically strengthened and interdependence among states horizontally strengthened; and, as a consequence of this linkage and interdependence, transnational public issues have emerged as important agendas in Chinese diplomacy. On the one hand, it is evident that regional public issues have become salient to China’s diplomacy especially since the 1990s; on the other hand, students of international relations have observed that China’s international behaviour and attitude have changed dramatically. As a result, multilateralism and multilateral diplomacy are widely seen to be important principles in Chinese diplomacy.2 More and more multilateral institutions are being set up by China and its neighbouring countries in a joint effort to tackle transnational public issues. Students of international relations have paid more attention to China’s multilateral institutional diplomacy.