This research paper poses the question of why Beijing is currently investing in the Regional Economic Comprehensive Partnership. Ever since China announced its participation in the agreement in...Show moreThis research paper poses the question of why Beijing is currently investing in the Regional Economic Comprehensive Partnership. Ever since China announced its participation in the agreement in 2012, scholarly debate attempted to make sense of this course of action. With many initially arguing that Beijing was planning a strategic move to counter the US rebalance to Asia through Washington’s TPP participation, lesser attention has been paid to other plausible reasons. Now, after the US withdrawal from the TPP in 2017, it appears useful to stretch out the debate and analyse other indicators that might encourage China to continue its participation efforts in the RCEP. Therefore this thesis identifies four indicators as key motivational drivers for the Chinese cooperation effort and conducts qualitative as quantitative analysis of those.Show less
