China's Revisionism of the International Order
International Relations
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
Understanding how a rising global power like China seeks to reshape the international system is critical for analyzing global power dynamics, multilateralism, and India's foreign policy challenges and opportunities in a changing world order.
The international order, established largely after World War II, consists of both institutional frameworks (like the UN and Bretton Woods) and normative principles (such as sovereignty, human rights, and rule of law). Major powers often seek to influence or reshape this order to align with their strategic interests.
Facts & tables
- Institutional Engagement
- China is the second-largest contributor to the UN budget and a proactive participant in WTO reform, while also establishing complementary institutions like AIIB and NDB.
- Normative Redefinition
- China's four global initiatives (Development, Security, Civilisation, Governance) are vehicles for redefining global norms.
- Challenges to Liberal Norms
- It reinterprets universal values like human rights as culturally contingent and democracy as outcome-based, rather than based on participation or accountability.
- Selective Application of Norms
- China supports sovereignty when convenient (e.g., GSI) but disregards it when not (e.g., South China Sea ruling, border standoffs).
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | International Relations |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| United Nations (UN) | Engages with |
| World Trade Organization (WTO) | Engages with |
| Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) | Establishes |
| New Development Bank (NDB) | Establishes |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Statement-based questions
Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding
- China's strategy: 'selective revisionism' of the international order.
- Engages institutionally (UN, WTO, AIIB, NDB, SCO).
- Redefines norms via GDI, GCI, GSI, Global Governance Initiative.
- Challenges liberal norms: human rights as culturally contingent, outcome-based democracy.
- Impacts global governance, multilateralism, and India's strategic interests.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2025 | Factual recall, Conceptual understanding |
| 2025 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2024 | Factual recall, Conceptual understanding |
| 2023 | Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding |
| 2022 | Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2015 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2015 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
Timeline
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International Relations
Conceptual area
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Prelims 2015
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2015
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2022
Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2023
Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2024
Factual recall, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2025
Factual recall, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2025
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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Prelims 2026
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
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The world that China desires and is shaping
China is pursuing a strategy of 'selective revisionism' towards the international order, actively engaging with and expanding its influence within existing institutions while systematically attempting to redefine the underlying normative principles to align with its authoritarian model and strategic objectives.
See also
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Past papers
2015–2026 · 8 questions
In the news
The world that China desires and is shaping
China is pursuing a strategy of 'selective revisionism' towards the international order, actively engaging with and expanding its influence within existing institutions while systematically attempting to redefine the underlying normative principles to align with its authoritarian model and strategic objectives.
Try these PYQs
In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not participant/ participants?
1. Bangladesh
2. Cambodia
3. China
4. Myanmar
5. Thailand
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
All 6 participants of the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation are member countries bordering the basins of the Mekong and Ganga rivers, aiming to collaborate on various initiatives. These countries are: - India - Cambodia - Laos - Myanmar - Thailand - Vietnam Hence, China & Bangladesh are not part of the Mekong-Ganga Corporation.
Consider the following UN organisations/agencies :
1. World Food Programme
2. United Nations Children's Fund
3. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
4. International Labour Organisation
How many of the above has/have been awarded the Nobel Prize twice ?
World Food Programme (WFP) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize once in 2020 for its efforts to combat hunger and prevent its use as a weapon of war and conflict. United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize once in 1965 for its humanitarian work and efforts to enhance solidarity between nations. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize twice (1954 and 1981). The 1954 prize recognized its post-WWII refugee relief efforts, and the 1981 prize honored its ongoing work promoting the fundamental rights of refugees globally. International Labour Organisation (ILO) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize once in 1969 for its role in improving working conditions, promoting social justice, and contributing to global peace. Since only one organisation (UNHCR) out of the four listed has been awarded the Nobel Prize twice, the correct option is A.
Consider the following countries -
1. China
2. France
3. India
4. Israel
5. Pakistan
Which among the above are Nuclear Weapons States as recognized by the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, commonly known as Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)?
The Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) recognizes five states as nuclear-weapon states:
- The United States, - Russia, - The United Kingdom, - France,
- China (also the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council). Four other states are known or believed to possess nuclear weapons India, Pakistan and North Korea have openly tested and declared that they possess nuclear weapons, while Israel has had a policy of opacity regarding its nuclear weapons program.
With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements:
1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-member States.
2. Inter-governmental organisations can seek observer status in the UN General Assembly.
3. Permanent Observers in the UN General Assembly can maintain missions at the UN headquarters.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
Statement 1 is correct. The United Nations General Assembly may grant non-member states, international organizations, and other entities Permanent Observer Status. Statement 2 is correct. The General Assembly decided that observer status would be confined to States and intergovernmental organizations whose activities cover matters of interest to the Assembly. Statement 3 is correct. Permanent Observers may participate in the sessions and workings of the General Assembly and maintain missions at the UN Headquarters.
The longest border between any two countries in the world is between :
The border between Canada and the United States is the longest international border in the world, stretching approximately 8,891 kilometers (5,525 miles), including the border shared with Alaska. It is a peaceful boundary and includes both land and water segments. Chile and Argentina: * Length: Approx. 5,308 kilometres * This is the third-longest international border in the world and the longest in South America. * It follows the Andes mountain range for most of its length, with several high-altitude border crossings. China and India: * Length: Approx. 3,488 kilometers
* It is highly disputed in areas such as Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh, leading to occasional tensions between the two nations. Kazakhstan and Russian Federation: * Length: Approx. 7,644 kilometers * This is the second-longest international border in the world. * It is largely flat, passing through vast steppes, and is a vital region for trade and natural resources between the two countries.
Show 3 more PYQs
India is one of the founding members of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal transportation corridor, which will connect
The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a multimodal transport network aimed at boosting trade between India, Central Asia, Russia, and Europe, using a combination of sea, rail, and road routes via Iran. The corridor connects Mumbai → Bandar Abbas (Iran) → Azerbaijan → Russia → Europe, with access to Central Asia.
Consider the following statements :
Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Technology Council'
Statement-II: The USA and the EU claim that through this they are trying to begin technological progress and physical productivity under their control.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statement?
* Statement 1 is correct: Trade and Technology Council was launched by the the United States of America and the European Union during the EU-US Summit on 15 June 2021 in Brussels. * Statement 2 is incorrect: Trade and Technology council, the USA and EU does not aim to bring technological progress and physical productivity under their control. Rather the initiative intends to promote pooling of digital resources such as AI models and computing power, and make them available to partner countries to address challenges in areas such as climate change and extreme weather, healthcare or smart agriculture.
Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS:
I. 16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairship of Russia in Kazan.
II. Indonesia has become a full member of BRICS.
III. The theme of the 16th BRICS Summit was Strengthening Multiculturalism for Just Global Development and Security.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
✅ Statement I: Correct
*The 16th BRICS Summit was held in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024 under Russia’s chairship. Russia held the rotating presidency in 2024, and the summit took place from October 22-24 in Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan.* ✅ Statement II: Correct
*Indonesia became a full member of BRICS in January 2025, becoming the first Southeast Asian nation and the 10th member of the bloc.* ❌ Statement III: Incorrect
*The theme of the 16th BRICS Summit is "Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security." The statement used "Multiculturalism" instead of "Multilateralism," making it incorrect for this question.* Therefore, only statements I and II are correct.