Editor's Note:

China, as a rising power in the international community, is faced with various challenges in its neighboring environment. What attitudes does China hold toward these challenges? And how can China realize its interests without being checked by its neighbors? Experts on China's global strategy and international relations shared their thoughts in the 2013 annual Chinese Community of Political Science and International Studies meeting, held by the Institute of Modern International Relations, Tsinghua University recently in Beijing.

Zhou Fangyin, research fellow at National Institute of International Strategy, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

We can only get neighbors' support by giving them concrete benefits. Previously when thinking of foreign policies, we often focused on how to take advantage of other countries, leading to a rather vulnerable international base for the foreign policies that followed.

During the period of national rise, China needs to adopt foreign policies that are mild-mannered and more acceptable.

Sometimes, tough foreign policies are inevitable. But it calls for prudence while adopting tough policies.

We should be patient in adjusting China's foreign affairs strategy. While policy adjustment takes effect immediately, strategy adjustment needs a much longer time.

A good strategy may not ensure that China keeps an advantaged position at every single stage amid its rise, but allows the nation to achieve its overall interests in the long run.

On the other hand, the rise of a nation largely relies on its legitimacy in maintaining and pursuing its interests.

Ideally, the strengthening of China's economic power should promote its legitimacy and acceptability in the international community. We need to find proper ways to realize this goal.

Moreover, China needs to draw a clear line between rivals and bystanders when dealing with practical issues in its neighboring environment. It is not wise to make attacks in all directions, which may turn bystanders into enemies.

Sun Xuefeng, associate professor, Institute of Modern International Relations, Tsinghua University

China's neighbors can be classified into four categories according to two dimensions: whether it comes under US protection, and whether it regards China as its primary threat.

The first category includes nations under the US security umbrella and regard China as their primary threat. Japan and the Philippines are two typical examples. Dealing with these nations together with the US is the proper way.

Second are those relying on US protection but don't see China as their primary threat, such as South Korea, Thailand and Australia. My suggestion is to seek economic development and security cooperation with them as much as possible.

We don't aim to weaken their relations with the US, but seek to build parallel development relations.

Third are nations without US protection and regard China as their primary threat, including India and Vietnam.

I prefer the successful strategy applied to India since the Cold War: the tit-for-tat strategy. That is to say, we treat them in the same way as they treat us.

The last are nations without US protection and do not treat China as their primary threat, such as North Korea, Malaysia and Indonesia.

We should show them security interest concerns frequently, and carry out more flexible polices in the South China Sea.

He Kai, associate professor, Utah State University

A "positive balance" strategy aims to improve one's absolute strength, while a "negative balance" strategy seeks to change relative strength, or power geometry.

China should apply the "negative balance" strategy positively, weaken the strategic power of the US in the Asia-Pacific, and relieve regional tensions.

We should exchange economic benefits for security benefits, increase our neighbors' economic dependence on us and thus reduce their dependency on Washington.