De scriptie geeft een overzicht van een drietal aspecten van de toegenomen Chinese welvaart in het tijdperk van de hervormingen en moderniseringen met betrekking tot voedsel. Aan de orde komen het...Show moreDe scriptie geeft een overzicht van een drietal aspecten van de toegenomen Chinese welvaart in het tijdperk van de hervormingen en moderniseringen met betrekking tot voedsel. Aan de orde komen het toenemende lichaamsgewicht (obesitas), de voortdurende problemen met betrekking tot de voedselveiligheid en, in samenhang daarmee, het speuren naar duurzame(re) oplossingen in de vorm van bijvoorbeeld biologische landbouw.Show less
Since the Japanese government purchased three of the disputed Diaoyu/Senkaku islands in 2012 and subsequently nationalized them, relations with China and Taiwan sharply deteriorated. After a year...Show moreSince the Japanese government purchased three of the disputed Diaoyu/Senkaku islands in 2012 and subsequently nationalized them, relations with China and Taiwan sharply deteriorated. After a year the Chinese government was still cancelling important meetings with Japanese officials, while the Taiwanese East Asian Relations Association had managed to sign a fishery agreement with the Japanese Interchange Association in April 2013. This fishery agreement extended to the seas around the disputed islands, but the agreement did not touch upon sovereignty. The fact that the Chinese government still cancelled important meetings with Japanese officials showed that even after a year Sino-Japanese relations were still affected by the dispute of the 2012 and that the Chinese government did not take official measures to solve the dispute. However, Taiwan acted differently than China and signed a fishery agreement with Japan in April 2013. This shows that Taiwan took another approach regarding the Diaoyu/Senkaku islands than China. This is remarkable, because most academic sources had worked on the assumption that Taiwan and China would be taking a similar approach to handling these disputes and thus only Japan and China were ever considered to be main actors within the dispute. Through the fishery agreement of 2013 however Taiwan has proved to be an equally significant and independent contribution in the attempt to reach a solution for the disputes. This thesis will argue that the fishery agreement of Japan and Taiwan can significantly change the dynamics in the Diaoyu/Senkaku islands disputes.Show less
The One Belt-One Road (OBOR) initiative, also referred to as the ‘New Silk Road’, is possibly the single most impactful foreign policy initiavite of the coming decades. Launched by Chinese...Show moreThe One Belt-One Road (OBOR) initiative, also referred to as the ‘New Silk Road’, is possibly the single most impactful foreign policy initiavite of the coming decades. Launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, it aims at reconnecting various regions of Eurasia from China to Germany and from Russia to Iran and India. At first glance the idea of a silk road evokes the romantic sentiment of a historic symbol that brought prosperity to Eurasia and overcame borders and dichotomies between ‘East’ and ‘West’. Yet, some foreign scholars and media outlets have been quick to interpret OBOR as a competitive, geopolitical grand strategy, or a Chinese Marshall plan that is guided by China’s domestic, economic and security interest to help China disrupt the current global order. I will provide a somewhat different narrative for making sense of Xi Jinping’s ‘New Silk Road’ initiative in the context of China’s rise. Hence, I ask the question whether or not the ‘tide is turning’, or more concretely: Does the OBOR initiative represent a change in Chinese foreign policy, and if so: What kind of change? I will outline major arguments of US realist and Chinese scholars on the debate about China’s rise. I will then critically outline how this debate is framed by how traditional IRT analyse China’s foreign policy. Taking this as the context to my argument I will describe how OBOR reflects a change in the way that the Chinese government conducts its international affairs under Xi Jinping and how the discourse on IRT affects the analysis of OBOR, which is still in its conceptualisation phase. I offer two interpretations of such change: One critically acknowledges more realist domestic and self-interested factors that motivate OBOR; the other argues that OBOR is more complex and could facilitate responsible engagement with global challenges such as global economic imbalances, cultural heritage, and international security. Finally, I conduct a short case study on the rise of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in the context of OBOR and international security to build on the narrative of a more globally responsible China that increasingly uses multilateralism. I find that particularly examining transnational factors of the initiative helps to understand the New Silkroad in the context of a possible peaceful rise that improves human connectivity, exchange, and has the potential to tackle global challenges.Show less
This thesis discusses the relationship between Taiwanese television (idol) dramas, advertising - in particular product placement, and the way in which young Taiwanese women, i.e. students between...Show moreThis thesis discusses the relationship between Taiwanese television (idol) dramas, advertising - in particular product placement, and the way in which young Taiwanese women, i.e. students between 18-25 years, identify with popular TV-series. The research itself is based on an on-line survey designed by the author herself.Show less
Joseph Nye's concept of soft power and it's universalist framework have been used in the past to analyse goverment strategies. This thesis compares Chinese and Japanese soft power strategies and to...Show moreJoseph Nye's concept of soft power and it's universalist framework have been used in the past to analyse goverment strategies. This thesis compares Chinese and Japanese soft power strategies and to what extent they follow Nye's soft power framework.Show less
China has been changing its soft power strategy in Africa since the time of negative media coverage in the early and mid 2000s. A stronger focus is being put on a people-to-people approach of...Show moreChina has been changing its soft power strategy in Africa since the time of negative media coverage in the early and mid 2000s. A stronger focus is being put on a people-to-people approach of interaction, trying to foster stronger personal bonds between Africans and Chinese citizens as well institutions. Education, culture and health care have the strongest positive impact on average African citizens, and China is increasing its efforts in these fields through cooperation agreements.Show less
In the Western world a popular belief is that great nations should take responsibility and protect the populations of conflict-ridden countries. In many ways we could argue that China is on its way...Show moreIn the Western world a popular belief is that great nations should take responsibility and protect the populations of conflict-ridden countries. In many ways we could argue that China is on its way to becoming a great nation, thus expectations that the Chinese leadership steps up to this task are mounting. Traditional Chinese foreign policy is based on respect for the sovereignty of other nations, non-intervention and laissez-faire in general. Greater economic interests in areas abroad are in conflict with these traditional principles. In this thesis we have therefore researched whether China is putting economic and diplomatic pragmatism ahead of principle. While Beijing attempts to avoid involvement in matters that are not of national interest, we will see from two case studies - based on the Libyan civil war and the Syrian civil war - that this has become increasingly difficult. Moreover, when looking at UN peacekeeping operations we see that China is an actively contributing P5 member. It seems that 'wuwei' (or not-doing), is becoming an untenable stance in a globalizing world.Show less
In recent years, China has made international headlines as a result of its poor factory labour conditions. Chinese leaders have observed that this international coverage has reflected poorly on the...Show moreIn recent years, China has made international headlines as a result of its poor factory labour conditions. Chinese leaders have observed that this international coverage has reflected poorly on the country and greatly impacted its image both internationally and domestically. Therefore new strategies to (re)build China's image have utilized CSR in order to gain a certain influence and stability in the national and international sphere.Show less
This thesis analyzes the policies adopted by the PRC toward the GCC in the context of the decline of US hegemony in the 21st century through the prism of neoclassical realism. The PRC, in response...Show moreThis thesis analyzes the policies adopted by the PRC toward the GCC in the context of the decline of US hegemony in the 21st century through the prism of neoclassical realism. The PRC, in response to the evolving global distribution of power, has expanded relations with the GCC. Domestic political factors within the PRC itself, however, are weighed heavily against engaging in balancing behavior due to the immense costs it would impose. Therefore, the PRC has adopted the policy of strategic hedging in the GCC to maximize gains while minimizing the potential for confrontation with the US. By tracing the causal mechanism in neoclassical realism that translates changes in relative power to the formulation of foreign policy, this thesis proves there is a clear causal link in this case between power deconcentration and the adoption of strategic hedging behavior. This strategy has been remarkably successful, fulfilling the needs of the PRC while simultaneously working within a framework amenable to the US. In this manner, the PRC’s GCC policy complements, rather than competes with, US interests in the region.Show less
Today, art from China is very different from that of the 1980s and 1990s. Contemporary Chinese urban art is critical of the modernization China has been experiencing the past decades. It is mostly...Show moreToday, art from China is very different from that of the 1980s and 1990s. Contemporary Chinese urban art is critical of the modernization China has been experiencing the past decades. It is mostly done in the media of photography, sculpture and installation art. Most obviously this criticism can be seen in the cityscape. This cityscape is most times a pastiche of construction, combining into a vast city. Many installation artists construct such a city by using real cities as model, and they often use consumer items as material. But also many photographers create cityscape montages; they use digital software to combine photographs of the urban space into one big collage. There are five themes that prominently express the artists’ concerns over China’s urbanization: futurism, globalization, negativity, sinification, and disconnection. Artists apply (often several of) these themes onto the urban space they depict.Show less
Deze bachelorscriptie onderzoekt de manier waarop vrouwen in moderne, door vrouwen gemaakte Chinese speelfilms worden weergegeven. Aan de hand van begrippen uit gender- en filmstudies worden vier...Show moreDeze bachelorscriptie onderzoekt de manier waarop vrouwen in moderne, door vrouwen gemaakte Chinese speelfilms worden weergegeven. Aan de hand van begrippen uit gender- en filmstudies worden vier zeer verschillende films van Ning Ying en Li Yu geanalyseerd.Show less
Over the course of history, the bicycle has earned its place in the Chinese and Taiwanese streets and has long been the primary mode of transportation for many people. Even though both China and...Show moreOver the course of history, the bicycle has earned its place in the Chinese and Taiwanese streets and has long been the primary mode of transportation for many people. Even though both China and Taiwan play a big role in the world’s bicycle market, changes seem to have occurred in the presence of bicycle in the Chinese and Taiwanese streets as well as its corresponding perception. This thesis will reflect on changes in the public perception of bicycles in Taiwan and China in the last 60 years by answering questions such as; how have people’s views on the bicycle and its use changed? How can these changes be explained and does the bicycle have a future in China and Taiwan?Show less
China is closely examined by the rest of the world’s eagles eye. Different aspects such as the economy, western ideas and new incumbent politicians play a major role in the process of...Show moreChina is closely examined by the rest of the world’s eagles eye. Different aspects such as the economy, western ideas and new incumbent politicians play a major role in the process of democratization. This thesis is aimed at examining China’s recent historical events and analyzing what impact this had on rural level. In order to analyze China’s rural level there is a top-down structure throughout this thesis. Furthermore, this analysis is supported by various definitions and requirements to finally be able to conclude whether Chinese rural areas enhance democracy or not.Show less
This thesis discusses theories of nationalism and nation branding, after which this thesis analyzes three tourism websites of the Chinese government. The aim of this analysis is to see what kind of...Show moreThis thesis discusses theories of nationalism and nation branding, after which this thesis analyzes three tourism websites of the Chinese government. The aim of this analysis is to see what kind of discourse these websites engage in and to discover any kind of interesting things. It is also the aim of the analysis to see if there is an apparent overarching nation branding campaign behind all the three websites.Show less
This thesis discusses the effects of the Great Leap Forward on China’s environment. This is accomplished by analyzing the changes that have occurred throughout China’s fauna and flora, in...Show moreThis thesis discusses the effects of the Great Leap Forward on China’s environment. This is accomplished by analyzing the changes that have occurred throughout China’s fauna and flora, in particular desertification will be studied in depth. Furthermore, the characteristics of China’s past and present environmental politics will be touched upon.Show less
Description of the relation between the Chinese government and its protestant Christian communities. It describes the way in which religious regulation is applied and concludes that broad...Show moreDescription of the relation between the Chinese government and its protestant Christian communities. It describes the way in which religious regulation is applied and concludes that broad interpretational possibilities and insufficient necessity to implement it result in a large grey area, rather governed by so called ‘latent’ rules than by laws. It concludes that well-defined legislation is required with regard to religion in order to be predictable towards citizens and thus create a more stabilized society.Show less
Over the past decades, China has evolved into a major world power and moved away from being an isolated nation to one integrated into the international community. This thesis will discuss how...Show moreOver the past decades, China has evolved into a major world power and moved away from being an isolated nation to one integrated into the international community. This thesis will discuss how Chinese presence, power and interference have evolved and how this has impacted the international community with a focus on the African continent. Going more in-depth with two case studies in Africa, Ethiopia and Zambia, it will describe the reasons for China’s cooperation with both countries and the differences in her strategic approach and outcome.Show less
In deze scriptie wordt toegelicht wat voor rol westerse feestdagen, met name Kerstmis en Valentijnsdag, spelen in de Chinese stedelijke samenleving. Er wordt beschreven hoe het vieren van de...Show moreIn deze scriptie wordt toegelicht wat voor rol westerse feestdagen, met name Kerstmis en Valentijnsdag, spelen in de Chinese stedelijke samenleving. Er wordt beschreven hoe het vieren van de feestdagen en de houding van de Chinese bevolking tegenover hen verschillen met het westen, en de westerse feestdagen worden geplaatst tegenover Chinese tradities. Ik beargumenteer dat er drie hoofdmotivaties te noemen zijn voor het vieren van westerse feestdagen in China: westerse feestdagen worden gevierd voor commerciële doeleinden; ze zorgen voor gezelligheid en rust; en ze creëren een ruimte om gevoelens directer te uiten, die de Chinese traditionele cultuur mist. De westerse feestdagen zullen in de toekomst een blijvende invloed hebben op de Chinese cultuur. Het wederzijdse beïnvloeden van culturen is een natuurlijk bijproduct van globalisatie en kan dus niet vermeden worden.Show less
