China’s Traditional Chinese Medicine-Style (TCM) Governance in Participation in the Middle Eastern Issues: Theories, Practices and Prospects

Abstract

The concepts of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are rooted in the profound traditional Chinese culture and philosophy. There is an old Chinese saying that ‘outstanding doctors can be masterful enough to govern a country.’ This means some concepts of TCM is compatible with the ones of governing political systems. At first, on the basis of the concepts of TCM treatment, this study puts forward a theoretical framework of TCM-based governance for China to participation in Middle Eastern issues. If we compare the Middle East to a human body with different systems and levels of organisations, its problems are its ‘illnesses,’ so to cure them and achieve the ultimate balance, as TCM focuses on, it is necessary to fundamentally improve the inner and outer political and economic environments of the Middle East, and its own ‘immune system.’ Secondly, the study will combine the concept of ‘holistic view’ with China’s participation in the governance of Middle Eastern issues before to prove the feasibility of the governance methods based on the TCM concepts. Furthermore, this study, to analyse the key factors of current conflicts in the region, ‘takes pulses’ to find out the root cause of those issues, and ‘prescribe Chinese medicine’ for different cases. It is our hope to promote the governance methods with Chinese wisdom.