Page 154 - 《国际安全研究》2022年第6期

Journal of International Security Studies
China frequently constituted a hindrance and security threat to the rise of Chinese
ancient dynasties. In order to secure their dominance in the East Asian international
system and establish a stable and lasting tributary system, Chinese ancient dynasties
tended to choose to unite some of the tribes in their efforts to defeat those that were
considered a threat to them. The essence of the Jimi system (羁縻制) and tributary
system lies in mutual security support between the Middle Kingdom and nomadic
tribes. Different from today’s alliance system of the United States that is based on the
assimilation of values, the alliance systems established by the unified dynasties in
ancient China were based on the observance of moral principles and ethical codes,
which include keeping promises, being prudent in waging wars and putting oneself in
others’ shoes. On the one hand, Chinese ancient dynasties tended to abide by the
security commitment given to their neighboring allies. On the other hand, they tried
not to use force to resolve problems with those who had undermined regional peace,
but to reconcile conflicts of interests and find a long-term agreement on how to coexist
with their neighbors in the region. When those options failed, they chose to unite their
allies to destroy the main enemies. The Tang Dynasty, one of the most powerful
dynasties in ancient China, forged the most successful alliance system in China’s
history by establishing the Jimi system with various actors in Inner Asia and on the
Korean Peninsula to ensure stability and security of its frontiers. Similarly, the Han
Dynasty, Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty all achieved political security and unity
through alliance management, and then promoted their status in the international
system, which is a rule that applies to almost every period of Chinese history. Studying
the management experiences of Chinese ancient dynasties on their alliance systems
will be of great enlightenment on and reference significance to China’s national
security today.
[Keywords] ancient China, alliance, national security, tributary system, China’s rise,
Tang Dynasty
[Author] MENG Weizhan, Lecturer, Institute for Advanced Study in Social Sciences,
Fudan University (Shanghai, 200433).

61 Model Hypothesis of National Security Governance under the
“Situation-Consciousness-Action” Framework
YANG Huafeng
[Abstract] The complexity and uncertainty of national security risks put forward
increasing demands for a more efficient governance system and greater governance
capabilities. Synergy concepts of the governance theory pedigree and the “active voice”
of security theories meet the practical needs of national security affairs. On the
conceptual dimension of “security, sense of security and securitization”, a “situation-
consciousness-action” analytical framework has been established to examine security
status, security perceptions and security actions. The objects, concepts and policy
actions of the national security governance system are just embedded in the interactive
construction process between the above mentioned three elements. Firstly, in
discussions about the identification and threshold range of the objects of security

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