Abstract
This chapter looks at China’s reactions to the “China threat theory”, a Chinese shorthand term for the full range of foreign fears that suggest China may be harmful to the global order. Arguing that image considerations weigh heavily on the minds of Chinese decision-makers, the author examines China’s image-building since the 1990s. It is argued that China’s interest in the image it presents is twofold. First, building a favorable image is seen as strategically useful, earning the People’s Republic more flexibility in its foreign policy. Second, China has a deep-seated commitment to image that is related to its cultural values.
