‘As Economy Slows, China Looking At New Ways To Manage Complex Society’

NEW DELHI: What explains China’s belligerence and its foreign policy decisions? While external elements play a role, there are several internal factors that are crucial to understanding Chinese behaviour and actions, says former National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon. Speaking to StratNews Global Editor-in-Chief Nitin A. Gokhale on ‘The Gist’, Menon, who has also served as India’s foreign secretary, was of the view that a slowing economy, an aspirational middle class, a complex society and quest for internal stability have contributed to shaping China’s external behaviour.