China and the European Union have, for a long time, sustained a cooperative, yet at the same time, antagonistic relationship. The surge in Chinese FDI in Europe, after the global financial crisis,...Show moreChina and the European Union have, for a long time, sustained a cooperative, yet at the same time, antagonistic relationship. The surge in Chinese FDI in Europe, after the global financial crisis, exacerbated unfavorable opinions of China, due to skepticism surrounding the intentions behind this investment increase. There is in place the belief that Chinese investment is negatively contributing to EU cohesiveness, by putting member states against each other to curry for China’s favour and secure investments, thus putting at risk the European order. The period post-2008 financial crisis saw Portugal becoming an important recipient of Chinese FDI, and as such, this paper analyzes the impact Chinese FDI has in Portuguese foreign policy and its integration in the EU. Portugal proves to be a unique case in comparison with other member states, due to its long-lasting relationship with China, and positive track record as a member of the EU. This dissertation examines this issue by using liberal intergovernmentalism and motivations behind Chinese investment, to argue that Portugal’s domestic interests play an important role in how it handles both China and the EU, as well as to defend that Chinese investment in Portugal as shown to be economically motivated. The results suggest that Portugal maintains a consistent and unchanged, for the most part, China policy. Furthermore, since most of Portugal’s domestic interests are met by the EU, according to liberal intergovernmentalism, in this way, it continues to contribute to its integration in the union. All in all, Chinese FDI in Portugal shouldn’t pose as a concern to the EU, seeing as the data reveals that Portugal’s top investors continue to be fellow member states, with China comprising a modest and slowly decreasing percentage. Therefore, the novelty of Chinese FDI in Europe continues to perpetuate an exaggerated anxiety, along with often unnecessary concerns, regarding the impact of said investment in Portugal.Show less
This thesis proposes the ancient Chinese philosophy of Confucianism as an analytical lens to study Chinese foreign policy. The need for a framework consisting of Confucian teachings emerges from...Show moreThis thesis proposes the ancient Chinese philosophy of Confucianism as an analytical lens to study Chinese foreign policy. The need for a framework consisting of Confucian teachings emerges from the limited perspectives mainstream Western IR can offer to the theories evolving around the rise of China. There is value in looking at Chinese foreign relations through Confucianism because it shows cultural and social behavioural aspects, which govern Chinese society, and thus, contributes a different approach to the study of IR. The presented case study of China’s foreign policy toward the Middle East takes into account context specific, relational elements in order to obtain valuable insights. By applying a framework consisting of Confucian teachings on governance, order, and relationship, this thesis demonstrates an interpretation of Chinese foreign policy that has been disregarded by mainstream Western IR scholarship until now.Show less
This research provides a comparison and analysis of the economic growth in China and Vietnam with a focus on the environmental aspect so that Vietnam can learn from China's experiences. The...Show moreThis research provides a comparison and analysis of the economic growth in China and Vietnam with a focus on the environmental aspect so that Vietnam can learn from China's experiences. The research found four key aspects important for environmental-friendly economic growth. The first aspect is environmental policies, which need the right implementation and enforcement to work properly. The second aspect is the energy mix, that needs to be diverse with enough forms of renewable energy. With the share of renewable energy growing in the mix, both the energy demand and the environment will benefit. The third aspect FDI raises the human capital level, which has a positive effect on innovation of production processes and a sustainable economy. Lastly, there is ASEAN which promotes regional cooperation in the field of environmental sustainability, to tackle regional cross-border problems. The right implementation of these four aspects is the key to environmentally friendly growth in Vietnam.Show less
China's sphere of influence is growing and the African continent is a key player in this global shift. This thesis focusses on a relatively poor region of the continent and China's growing...Show moreChina's sphere of influence is growing and the African continent is a key player in this global shift. This thesis focusses on a relatively poor region of the continent and China's growing geopolitical influence in that region. It takes the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway as a case study because it is a tangible and successful manifestation of China’s Africa policy. The research concludes that China's two major gains through such projects are diplomatic support from these countries and that China is able to gain regional control through individual countries.Show less
This essay examines whether or not Chinese firms differ in CSR approach, focusing on sustainable development, when compared to Western MNCs in the PRC. To do so, corporate identity, output and CSR...Show moreThis essay examines whether or not Chinese firms differ in CSR approach, focusing on sustainable development, when compared to Western MNCs in the PRC. To do so, corporate identity, output and CSR reporting were compared for three case study firms: BMW Group (Western MNC), Brilliance China Automotive Holdings (Chinese firm), and BMW-Brilliance (a joint venture between the other two firms). The joint venture was included, because of certain ownership restrictions in the PRC in the automotive industry and the Western firm as a sole entity could not be examined in the PRC. The results showed that the Western MNC outperformed the other cases on all three categories, the joint venture came in at a close second, and the Chinese firm lacked far behind on all three categories. Comparing the results between the Western MNC and the joint venture seemed to indicate that the joint venture is merely used as a vessel for the Western MNC to sell/produce vehicles in the PRC due to the ownership restrictions. The context of the PRC did not seem to matter significantly, as BBA and BMW showed strikingly similar results. Results did show that certain theories surrounding CSR practicing in the PRC can be applied to Western MNCs in the PRC as well.Show less
China desires to gain knowledge that is required to sophisticate its economy. This primarily involves investments in strategic sectors in Europe, which is increasingly received with anxiety and...Show moreChina desires to gain knowledge that is required to sophisticate its economy. This primarily involves investments in strategic sectors in Europe, which is increasingly received with anxiety and scepticism by European leaders. Therefore, an alternative for China to attain significant technological insights is open innovation. This research argues that this is a useful way of obtaining mutually profitable research and development. However, such a partnership requires confidence that is currently lacking. Therefore, this research answers the question: To what extent does the EU’s perception of China impede the Sino-EU cooperation on innovation? This dissertation examines this issue by analysing how the EU view on China influences trust towards this partner, and what this entails for open innovation. It is found that present preconceived negative notions on China lead to distrust. On certain issues, control mechanisms compensate for this lack of trust. However, more trust or control remains to be needed in order for future open innovation in this bilateral relationship to blossom.Show less
Agriculture in Russia became a sector of great focus for the government as a consequence of the Crimean Crisis of 2014. Tit for tat sanctions resulted in a partial ban on agricultural imports into...Show moreAgriculture in Russia became a sector of great focus for the government as a consequence of the Crimean Crisis of 2014. Tit for tat sanctions resulted in a partial ban on agricultural imports into Russia from the EU and the US, which forced the government to look for internally sourced replacements for food that had earlier been imported. The resultant policies of import substitution appear to have been successful. China is an obvious additional potential market for Russian agribusiness, which has benefited from the barriers set up during the “Sanctions Wars” that began in 2014. The same factors that cleared the domestic market for Russian producers (namely, political and trade disputes with the United States and European Union) are likely to help them ramp up exports to China. The timing has been fortuitous for Russia. They had years to “prepare” their internal response before China began to get hit with some of the same policies Russia has faced for over half a decade. As China often uses access to its market as a source of political leverage, it is important to investigate the potential risks involved in organizing production of meat for export in the Far East to the East Asian region and China in particular.Show less
