Do China’s Foreign Economic Ties Lead to Influence Abroad?

• In Event: Challenges in China's External Relations Today

Abstract

A growing body of literature explores whether China’s growing foreign economic ties translate into political influence abroad, but scholars have come to divergent conclusions. To revisit this issue, we leverage new data relating to recent events. In particular, we have collected data that measure how countries have responded to China’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, how countries have responded to China’s passage of a National Security Law relating to Hong Kong, and how countries have responded to China’s recent policies in Xinjiang. In each of these cases, there has been significant cross-national variation in expressed support for China or criticism of China. We ask: do increased economic ties correlate with greater support? Our findings suggest that economic ties are generally a weak predictor in this regard; other factors, such as a country’s domestic political institutions, level of economic development, and relationship with the United States, are generally better predictors.

Author

• Scott L. Kastner, University of Maryland