In a new IISS report, Nick Crawford finds that as China is an increasingly important actor in countries facing instability and crisis, its responses to these situations and its underlying preferences and concerns will have implications for Western countries and their responses.
China has become the largest lender to developing countries, and a major investor there too. As a result, it has a major stake in many countries facing political and economic instability. Western policymakers involved in responding to instability and crises overseas need to understand how China navigates these situations. China’s approach is similar in some respects to that of Western states, but there are also important differences.
China’s policy towards countries facing political and economic instability is driven by four main concerns:
It seeks to strengthen and maintain its partnerships with those countries to ensure they remain open to and supportive of the Chinese government and its businesses.
China is determined to protect its financial interests, businesses and citizens from the harms that result from instability. It is concerned to see its loans repaid, its investments secure, its workers safe and its supply chains undisrupted.
It wants to maintain its narrative of non-interference. Any intervention in the politics or policies of its partner states must be seen as being at the invitation of their governments (although China may pressure its partners for consent).
China wants to increase its influence in the world, independently and distinctively. It is increasingly proactive in its response to instability in partner countries. Some responses seek to address the instability directly; other responses are intended to protect Chinese interests in spite of the instability.
This paper analyses the political economy of China’s responses to instability, identifies the types of responses China undertakes, and assesses these responses.
No comments:
Post a Comment