The Belitung Shipwreck, discovered off the coast of Belitung in 1998, sheds light on the complexities of trade and cultural integration during this era. The artefacts recovered from the shipwreck...Show moreThe Belitung Shipwreck, discovered off the coast of Belitung in 1998, sheds light on the complexities of trade and cultural integration during this era. The artefacts recovered from the shipwreck provide valuable insights into the diverse trade relationships and the fusion of cultural elements within the Indian Ocean region. However, the salvage operation for the shipwreck faced numerous challenges, including the preservation and storage of the vast array of artefacts. Limited experience and resources posed difficulties in maintaining the integrity of the findings. Regrettably, the historical value of the site suffered further damage due to unregulated visits by local divers, emphasising the importance of responsible preservation and conservation efforts. During the 9th century CE, when the Belitung Shipwreck was active, the Tang dynasty in China experienced a period of robust trade facilitated by an extensive canal system that connected major cities and ports. One significant hub for Western merchants was Guangzhou, which served as a crucial gateway for trade. Ceramics emerged as a prominent Chinese export, while silk, although a primary commodity, had limited evidence of its role in maritime trade during this period. Srivijaya, a powerful maritime kingdom located in present-day Indonesia, emerged as a prominent trade centre during the 9th century CE. It imported substantial quantities of Chinese ceramics, which were highly sought after in the region. Additionally, Srivijaya attracted pilgrims, particularly from China, who travelled to the kingdom for religious purposes, further facilitating cultural exchange. The Abbasid Dynasty, with its capital in Baghdad, played a vital role in the trade networks of the time. Ports such as Basrah, Al-Ubullah, and Siraf served as crucial hubs for sea trading, connecting the Arabian Peninsula to various destinations across the Indian Ocean region. These ports were bustling centres of commerce, where goods from China, India, and other regions were exchanged. This thesis aims to explore the cultural fusion observed in trade objects from the Belitung Shipwreck, focusing on the convergence of various cultural elements of the above-mentioned empires. Fusion artefacts, arising from exchanges between different societies, embody this blending of cultural elements, including production centre locations, materials used, and decorations. Through the research of these objects, a deeper understanding of the complex interplay of cultures and the reciprocal influences that shaped trade and cultural exchange in the Indian Ocean region can be achieved.Show less
A critical section of China’s One Belt One Road initiative is the Maritime Silk Road, which attempts to connect China to its fellow sea-adjacent nations via maritime trade routes. Unfortunately,...Show moreA critical section of China’s One Belt One Road initiative is the Maritime Silk Road, which attempts to connect China to its fellow sea-adjacent nations via maritime trade routes. Unfortunately, recent legal challenges have created tensions due to competing territorial claims in the South China Sea. Therefore, this thesis aims to answer the question: How has international legal action, or the threats thereof, enacted by South China Sea nations under the United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Sea affected China’s Maritime Silk Road goals? By analyzing China's implicit and explicit goals for the Maritime Silk Road, this thesis finds that China’s primary motivations are increased regional cooperation and resource acquisition. Through an analysis of each of the claimant states, this thesis also finds that arbitration is both likely to occur in the future and harmful to China’s goals for the Maritime Silk Road, as the effects of further arbitration are likely to both raise tensions in the region and make it more difficult for China to secure critical energy and trade resources. Furthermore, this case study addresses why states comply with international law. This study provides support for Managerialism, finding that the case of the South China Sea includes enforcement through joint management by the claimant states of the regional legal regime, and a tolerance for a certain level of noncompliance.Show less
This thesis departs from dominant approaches to outward Chinese FDI, which tend to focus primarily on China's aggressive expansionism and its grand strategy with regards to the Belt and Road...Show moreThis thesis departs from dominant approaches to outward Chinese FDI, which tend to focus primarily on China's aggressive expansionism and its grand strategy with regards to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). After identifying gaps in these prevailing approaches, there appeared to be a need for investigating the agency of host countries. The methodology used here was derived from earlier research conducted on China's long-standing engagements in Africa. The arguments made in this thesis reveal more locally-driven elements of Greece's relations with China and highlight the consequential role of Greek agency in these relations. At various scales and levels, Greek actors have used their respective capacities to facilitate, mediate and even resist Chinese presence and investments in Greece, while also carving out opportunities for their own personal or commercial progress. What is apparent here, is that China is not necessarily imposing on Greece with hegemonic intent, as is generally perceived, but is being ushered in by Greeks themselves as an indispensable benefactor of the Greek economy. An important implication for further research is that host countries of Chinese FDI must not be looked at as passive actors in their relations with China, but rather, as agents acting in self-interest. Moreover, the case of Greece can be considered an indication to the EU to reconsider its policies vis-à-vis post-recession recovery in weaker member states.Show less
