China’s emerging partnership network: what, who, where, when and why

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore and test the motivation behind the evolution of China’s vast network of partnerships around the globe since the end of the Cold War. Design/methodology/approach After combing through 24 types of partnerships with 78 countries, the authors empirically tested four hypotheses using data from Correlates of War and World Bank. Findings The analysis indicates that China’s choice to build such an elaborate network is not random. On the contrary, it is largely determined by three factors: the need to counter the US pressure; the necessity of maintaining peace and stability along its borders and achieving the long-term goal of modernization. Originality/value The research is among the first attempts to comprehensively test the possible motivations behind China’s partnership building efforts and provides a stepping stone for analyzing this important aspect of China’s foreign policy.

Dragon Meets Camel: An Exploration of China’s Engagement with Eritrea

“…Notably, in a 2012 New York Times op-ed, Dambisa Moyo, a Zambian economist, argued that, "the bulk of responsibility for abuses lies with African leaders themselves" (Moyo, 2012). 16 Several items in Eritrea's national museums also suggest extremely early connections, while a large body of work has demonstrated considerable historical contact between China and the broader region (Fauvelle, 2018;Kusimba, Zhu, and Kiura, 2020;Li, 2012;Smidt, 2001). 17 The ELF began the armed struggle for independence, before being superseded by the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF).…”

“…21 Over the years, China has established a number of special partnerships with other countries and organizations. Partnerships are classified hierarchically, with levels corresponding to the importance that Beijing attaches to each partner, the substance of China's relations with that country or organization, and other factors (Li and Ye, 2019;Strüver, 2017). 22 The UN Security Council imposed sanctions on Eritrea in ecember 2009 over the government's alleged role in insecurity in the Horn of Africa.…”

China’s Friendly Cooperative Relations with Tunisia in the Age of the New Silk Road Initiative

“…Only a few other countries have attached more significance to establishing partnerships than China. 36 Building strategic partnerships worldwide have become one of the most important dimensions and instruments of Chinese diplomacy. 37 The concept of 'partnership' emerged within Chinese diplomacy after the end of the Cold War.…”

“…Since then, the number of partnerships has steadily increased to partnerships with 78 countries and five regional organizations (African Union, Arab Union, ASEAN, CELAC, and EU), so that 45 percent of the 174 countries have formal diplomatic ties with China. 38 China's partnership diplomacy includes a scale of relations, ranging from a friendly cooperative partnership at the bottom to a comprehensive strategic partnership at the high end. 39 Each of the five categories of relations features specific priorities, signalling the level of importance Beijing attaches to that particular state.…”

On the Stages of Development of Thai-Chinese Relations

“…При этом Таиланд осознает, что в двусторонних отношениях Китай исходит, прежде всего, из собственных прагматических интересов, которые могут идти вразрез с интересами таиландской стороны, даже несмотря на статус всеобъемлющего стратегического партнерства 29 . В такой ситуации таиландские власти по-прежнему сохраняют довольно тесные отношения с США, которые рассматривают Таиланд в качестве стратегического союзника в Азиатском регионе.…”