Zhang, Shuxiu
(2013)
The dragonomic diplomacy (De)code: a study on the causal relationship between Chinese economic diplomacy preference formation and the influence of multilateral economic regimes.
PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.
Abstract
Since the reformation of the Chinese economy, two notable trends have developed.
First, the growing prominence of multilateral economic regimes (MERs) on the political
agenda of Beijing has propelled deepened engagements between Chinese policy actors
and institutions, and the agencies of MERs. This development is accompanied by a
second trend, which is a growing dynamism in China’s economic diplomacy within the
multilateral arenas. This dynamism is reflected in the evolving national preferences and
approaches for multilateral economic negotiations, from outright resistance to gradual
flexibility, and in some cases, acceptance. The simultaneous and parallel developments
of these two trends stem a curiosity on whether a causal relationship exist between the
deepened China-MER engagements and the dynamism of China’s economic diplomacy.
Has Beijing’s open-door policy to global economic integration opened new windows of
opportunity for the MER agencies to influence China’s economic diplomacy and its
preference formation? In what way(s) and/or in which capacities can the agencies of
MERs assert influence on China’s economic diplomacy preference formation? Under
what conditions is this form of external influence successful? What are the long-run
implications of the deepened China-MER engagements on Beijing’s economic
diplomacy preference formation structure? What does the China-MER relationship tell
us about China’s economic diplomacy preference formation in the 21st
century?
Although China’s partake in the international political economy has received
much scholarly attention, few studies have attempted to decode China’s economic
diplomacy preference formation, and even fewer have investigated the important nexus
between the China-MER relationship and the behaviours of Chinese economic
diplomacy. This thesis is a response to the knowledge deficit in these regards. By
examining China’s participation in the multilateral climate change, and trade 4
negotiations, the thesis addresses the primary research question, how do multilateral
economic regimes and their agencies influence China’s economic diplomacy preference
formation? The study finds that the MER agencies do affect Chinese economic
diplomacy preference formation. However, their influence peaks at an absorption level
whereby Chinese preferences adapt to external preferences but not to the extent of
reforming traditional principles and beliefs. The comparatively more effective ways of
asserting influence for the MER agencies is through a costs-and-benefits calculus,
information dissemination, shuttle diplomacy proximity talks, and informal negotiation
practices. In general, Chinese policy actors do not refute the influence of the MER
agencies; rather they absorb and adapt to it. In addition, the MER agencies assert
influence at different stages of the preference formation, and over time, implicitly
establish themselves as integrated policy actors in Beijing.
On the whole, this thesis contributes to a deeper understanding about how, why,
and when international linkages matter in China’s economic diplomacy, and to the
extent of driving preference transformation. The study provides useful analytic lenses
that flesh out the variety of functions the MER agencies have in shaping and informing
China’s national preferences and negotiation approaches. At the same time, it offers a
fuller description of how the Chinese policy actors and institutions respond to (implicit)
external interventions in its policy processes. Consequently, this thesis is a significant
contribution that adds value to the scholarly debates and knowledge-building about one
of the most important political and economic phenomenon of our time.
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