China is the largest global producer and exporter in the rare earth industry. Nonetheless, the Chinese government decided to implement protectionist export policies since the country faced several...Show moreChina is the largest global producer and exporter in the rare earth industry. Nonetheless, the Chinese government decided to implement protectionist export policies since the country faced several issues in its domestic rare earth industry. China started the export restrictions around 2008 but the situation escalated in 2010 when China cut off 40% of its exports. This decision has led to a lot of disagreement between China and the rest of the world since many importing countries depend on China’s rare earth elements. Moreover, there was a lot of disagreement in the academic world as well since some scholars have analysed China’s export restrictions as a policy that supports development in its domestic rare earth industry whereas other scholars argued that China’s protectionist export policies did not support development. This thesis is a study on China’s export restrictions in its rare earth industry and aims to identify if China’s protectionist export policies have contributed to a solution for China’s domestic issues in its rare earth industry.Show less
The thesis examines the Chinese concept of a Community of Shared Future for Mankind (CSFM) and how it fits into the Gramscian theory of international hegemony both theoretically and practically. To...Show moreThe thesis examines the Chinese concept of a Community of Shared Future for Mankind (CSFM) and how it fits into the Gramscian theory of international hegemony both theoretically and practically. To do this, the thesis examines various theories of hegemony and finds them to rely on universalism, the production of consent, and homogeneity. This runs contrary to the pluralistic CSFM. Theoretically, the two concepts do not match. The practical side relies on the examination of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) documents and the Beijing Declaration from the First South-South Human Rights Forum. The thesis here finds that these two are linked to CSFM. However, due to the theoretical issues in CSFM, such as pluralism and the lack of an ability to absorb counter-hegemonic ideas, CSFM fails as a challenger for world hegemony and to the Gramscian approach to hegemony. It might instead be better suited as a regional hegemonic idea due to a shared common sense in the East Asia region.Show less
In the beginning of 2018, The United States under President Trump started a trade war with China. At the same time Japan-United States relations experienced similar tensions due to a trade deficit....Show moreIn the beginning of 2018, The United States under President Trump started a trade war with China. At the same time Japan-United States relations experienced similar tensions due to a trade deficit. This paper will investigate Japan’s changed diplomacy towards China amidst the ongoing China-United States trade war. The study focuses on a recent official visit by Japan’s Prime Minister Abe to China that took place from the 25th to the 27th of October 2018. The visit was to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China. In order to portray Japan’s changed diplomacy primary sources of the visit will be used, as well as secondary sources from Chinese and Japanese media (such as the Japan Times and South China Morning Post). To further answer this question, economic diplomacy is used as a theoretical framework. This thesis finds that Sino-Japanese relations have stabilized due to tensions from the United States and both parties seek to improve economic relations. The visit also paved a way for future visits and thus a continued strengthening of Sino-Japanese relations and building of trust. However, bilateral historical and territorial issues remain unresolved.Show less
This thesis aims to answer the research question: what influences countries in their response to the alleged human rights abuse of the Uyghur ethnic minority in China? In order to answer this, the...Show moreThis thesis aims to answer the research question: what influences countries in their response to the alleged human rights abuse of the Uyghur ethnic minority in China? In order to answer this, the concept of human rights in international relations, as well as the three main theories of international relations are projected on two case studies of international reactions to China’s alleged human rights abuse of the Uyghur ethnic minority in the Xinjiang autonomous region: Turkey and the European Union.Show less
The goal of this paper is to give an insight on the complexity issues connected with the role of China in the United Nation’s (UN) action upon the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) principle. The...Show moreThe goal of this paper is to give an insight on the complexity issues connected with the role of China in the United Nation’s (UN) action upon the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) principle. The research does so by analyzing the variety of steps undertaken, between August 2017 and February 2019, by the Security Council (SC), General Assembly (GA) and Human Rights Council (HRC), and China’s response to them in the UN in the context of the Rohingya Conflict within the three pillars concept. The Security Council is the most important decision making body in the UN and China has an important role in it as a member of the permanent five (P5). It’s growing importance in the UN and close relationship with Myanmar make it one of the most important actors in the peace process in Rakhine state. Even though China has accepted the R2P concept, it still remains cautious about its influence on the principle of sovereignty. The issue of the principle of sovereignty is often used by China as an narrative against putting more pressure on Myanmar’s government in regards to the Rohingya Conflict. Therefore, undertaking any decisive action by the UNSC under R2P proves to be a complex matter. This research thus agrees with major critiques of the UNSC structure and the R2P principle, which state that the R2P needs more clarification. However, the research also agrees that the R2P has been accepted into the UN as a norm and that China has assumed a key role as a mediator in the Rohingya Conflict using R2P as a narrative supporting its actions.Show less
This thesis investigates the environmental sustainability of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), in relation to its new ‘lean, clean, green’ initiative. To do this, two AIIB projects...Show moreThis thesis investigates the environmental sustainability of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), in relation to its new ‘lean, clean, green’ initiative. To do this, two AIIB projects will be investigated as well as two Asian Development Bank (ADB) projects, as case studies. These will be analyzed and compared, alongside the two banks general environmental policies. To examine these cases, two different perspectives on sustainability will be discussed. Furthermore, three concepts (the management of organizations in regard to cooperation with partners, long-term thinking, and transparency) will be researched in relation to sustainability. Those three concepts will be used to discuss the case studies. To conclude, it can be stated that the AIIB is taking steps towards sustainability, because it promotes cooperation with partners, long-term thinking and transparency. But, the AIIB’s approach to sustainability is comparable to the ADB’s.Show less
The current inter-Korean situation has allowed for the debate around peaceful reunification and the associated DMZ peace park initiative to open up. Research has shown that a transboundary peace...Show moreThe current inter-Korean situation has allowed for the debate around peaceful reunification and the associated DMZ peace park initiative to open up. Research has shown that a transboundary peace park which incorporates the dimensions of tourism and ecological conservation can be regarded as an effective way to establish peace provided that it is equally co-managed by the two countries. Through compiling theories on the language of peace and soft power projects initiating peacebuilding mechanisms, a comprehensive research framework was established for the examination of the DMZ World Eco-Peace Park proposal. Analysis demonstrated that proper peacebuilding measures are integrated in the development plan, however, acknowledgements on identity construction, the location, and tourism and ecological conservation regulations are lacking. These results indicate that the development plans are unfinished and currently being hindered by the insufficiently stable inter-Korean environment. Consequently, it is recommended the ROK government continues to promote the peaceful use of the DMZ and gather international supports as they anticipate the appropriate circumstances, whilst improving their proposal. Further research is required to further intelligence on the North Korean perspective on the peaceful use of the DMZ and the implications of cooperation and reunification for the DMZ area.Show less
China’s role in renewable energy technology projects in Ghana only implements green growth to a certain extent. This thesis draws the notion of green growth from the definition by the OECD. It is...Show moreChina’s role in renewable energy technology projects in Ghana only implements green growth to a certain extent. This thesis draws the notion of green growth from the definition by the OECD. It is sustained economic growth, while the environment is not harmed and provides services that benefit people’s livelihood. A good mean to foster green growth is investing in renewable energy. Lower developed countries like Ghana do not have the resources to invest in renewable energy as much in comparison to China, who is currently the biggest investor in renewable energy, However, the market for renewable energy in Ghana is highly present and welcoming, which makes it a great opportunity for outside actors to invest in renewables in Ghana. This thesis highlights six renewable energy projects in Ghana where China has been actively involved in, and analysed China’s challenges on its green growth strategy in these projects. Using the theoretical framework, it became apparent that all projects, except the Bui Dam, foster or potentially foster Ghana’s economic development. As the Bui Dam case demonstrate, it does occur that the locals were not adequately taken into account. 1,216 people were forced to resettle, and even though the authority had a resettlement program, it was not adequately implemented. This left some people jobless, homeless and generally, socio-economic speaking better off before the dam was constructed. The issues that the framework make apparent, indicate that it remains challenging for the Chinese government to maintain influence on overseas practices to stress its said green growth policies. This could be due to the numerous actors involved, that makes it hard to establish accountability for bad practices. Consequently, this results in a limited focus on local livelihoods and no regard to the environment. By actively engaging with the community, and implementing social and environmental policies could cultivate the social and environmental pillar of green growthShow less
The concept of economic diplomacy and its possible benefits for smaller economies has received relatively little scholarly attention. This thesis researches the Swedish-Sino economic diplomacy from...Show moreThe concept of economic diplomacy and its possible benefits for smaller economies has received relatively little scholarly attention. This thesis researches the Swedish-Sino economic diplomacy from 2010-2018 and concludes Sweden has been forced to adjust and disregard some of its political goals, e.g. the promotion of human rights, to be able to have a successful economic cooperation and exchange. In this regard, China has been able to take over the foreign policy of Sweden and made the smaller state forced to take much more consideration to China than otherwise would have been the case.Show less
Over the last decades, China went from an underdeveloped nation to the world’s fastest growing economy. In the meantime, China’s economic relations have massively increased with nation from all...Show moreOver the last decades, China went from an underdeveloped nation to the world’s fastest growing economy. In the meantime, China’s economic relations have massively increased with nation from all economic, political and sociocultural backgrounds. Chinese trade with Africa grew during the post-colonial period and continued to rise as African nations gradually develop. Those partnerships remain distinct from others however, since there seems to be added pressure for economic trade to unequivocally benefit the African side when Chinese trade is involved. Indeed, when assessing trade with Africa, critics often tend to emphasize human rights violations and poor working conditions inflicted by Chinese companies, while generally not holding Western companies to the same standard, or at least, not emphasizing the issue as much, when similar instances also involve Western companies. The Chinese trading model will be compared with fairer trade practices practiced today also known as “fair trade”. This thesis will be an attempt at a discussion to understand the standard of Chinese trade model in Africa while also addressing the issues emerging as a result. The fair trade market, as well as other forms of fair trade practices will be assessed to determine the state of trade practices between the two case studies countries: Ethiopia and Nigeria.Show less
China’s military build-up and modernization has raised concern among IR scholars and several Asian countries in the recent years. This in mainly due to the fact that China is involved in different...Show moreChina’s military build-up and modernization has raised concern among IR scholars and several Asian countries in the recent years. This in mainly due to the fact that China is involved in different territorial issues in both the East and South China seas. Indeed, recent developments in the PLA have been regarded by the countries with opposed territorial claims (Vietnam, Japan, Philippines, etc.) as an indication of the Chinese willingness to change the current status quo. Beijing has develop its naval capacities and the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has been the branch of the Chinese army that has focused the most attention. The PLAN fast evolution is impressive and Beijing is now able to produce indigenous complex structures such as aircraft carriers. Furthermore, the increasing militarization of reefs and islets, and the assertive Chinese behavior in both aforementioned seas are according to many scholars driven by the Taiwan issue, fish and oil prospects. The former, would be the main reasons driving Chinese military developments in the region. Accordingly, an improved naval force would allow Beijing to assert its primacy in the different maritime claims by disrupting the balance of power. However, such a reading often puts the East and China seas issues as core interests for the PRC, which would ultimately explain China’s recent naval developments. Therefore, emphasis is rather put on geopolitics rather than on geo-strategy, and the PLAN modernization is analyzed through a realistic lens, which leaves very little room for positives prospects. Chinese development is put in parallel with what might be an unpeacful rise and authors such as Mearsheimer (2006) are skeptical and predict future conflicts in the region. However, according to other scholars the PLA modernization needs to be considered from a wider perspective. Although, enhanced naval capabilities can improve Beijing room of maneuver in different territorial issues, enhancing its naval capability would improve China’s capabilities to defend its interest on a global level. There is no consensus among scholars as to what are the underpinning reasons driving China’s increasing military assertiveness in the East and South China Sea. By using concepts of naval strategy such as Sea Power and command of the Seas, a better assessment can be done on what China is trying to achieve with its navy. According to different scholars, the coreness of the South China Sea and the East China seas needs to be questioned. It could be argued that foreign policies priorities have shifted, and that the different issues might rather be instrumental. Indeed, they would allow Chinese authorities to develop a blue water sea navy that in return would enhance China’s power projection on a global scale. Different maritime issues should not be perceived as flashpoints but rather aimed at increasing Chinese control of near seas, which would ultimately allow Beijing to move further. On the other hand developing military means doesn’t have to be interpreted as “a trouble ahead” and as “a tragedy of great power politics”, rather a Chinese navy that would be able to project power on a global level might help China to improve its power both in times of war and peace.Show less
