November 04,2017

The Trajectory of Chinese Foreign Policy: From Reactive Assertiveness to Opportunistic Activism

In recent years, particularly since Xi Jinping’s ascension to power, it has become commonplace for journalists and experts in the United States to describe China’s external behavior as growing increasingly assertive, even revisionist. Many commentators have attributed this shift to Xi, suggesting a causality between his leadership and China’s growing assertiveness. To many i..

Ryan Hass
19th Party Congress , AIIB , BRI , BRICS , communist party , Xi Jinping
November 04,2017

China and the “Definition Gap”: Shaping Global Governance in Words

Increasingly, China’s diplomacy is using key words commonly used by liberal democracies, but the meaning differs greatly. This evolution is changing the terms of the debate without changing a single term. The Widening “Definition Gap” China has very actively participated in high-level multilateral gatherings in recent years. Since he became president of the People’s ..

Alice Ekman
19th Party Congress , BRI , community of common destiny , UN Security Council
November 03,2017

Winning Projects and Hearts? Three Cases of Chinese Mega-Infrastructure Projects in Southeast Asia

Under President Xi Jinping, Southeast Asia occupies a special place in China’s foreign policy. Politically, the consolidation of good relations with countries there is an essential component of China’s periphery diplomacy. Within the framework of China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Southeast Asia sits at the juncture of the Silk Road Economic Belt (mainland Sou..

Yun Sun
21st Century Maritime Silk Road , I , Kyaukpyu , Silk Road Economic Belt , Sino-Laos Railway , Sino-Thai Railway