The Multidimensional Strategies of Chinese Revisionism: Implications For NATO

Abstract

The article examines China as a revisionist power and the implications this has for NATO. As China’s global influence has grown, it increasingly challenges the status quo through various strategies that impact NATO's interests, security, and values. The article uses revisionism as a theoretical framework to understand China's efforts in altering international norms and power structures, particularly focusing on incremental, coercive, and hybrid strategies. Then, the research proceeds exploring the multi-dimensional nature of China’s revisionism across economic, societal, and military domains. Economically, China uses its soft power, such as the Belt and Road Initiative, and coercive measures like economic sanctions to expand its influence. Social and cultural power is exercised through initiatives like Confucius Institutes and media control. Militarily, China’s ambitions manifest in its military modernization and strategic partnerships, notably with Russia. The article concludes that NATO must develop a coherent strategy to counter these challenges, as China’s revisionism presents both internal and external threats to the alliance.