Not quite the dragon: A 'Chinese' view on the Six Party Talks, 2002-8

Despite the never-ending criticism, Beijing's new diplomacy has fostered fertile ground on which multilateral security arrangements might flourish, albeit slowly. In this view, this article argues for a re-reading of the diplomatic history of the Six Party Talks that can render justice to the pivotal role of Beijing in maintaining a continuous process. By re-tracing the diplomatic history of the Talks on North Korea's nuclear capabilities during the period 2002-8, it investigates this process against the background of China's evolving multilateral posture. The Chinese diplomatic style of the Talks, reconciliatory, multilayered, and open-ended, might represent the best chance for security multilateralism in North-East Asia despite the uncertainties about the effectiveness of the Party.