The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a series of projects spearheaded by China, aiming to establish a global infrastructural network connecting China and Europe, among others. The EU faces the...Show moreThe Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a series of projects spearheaded by China, aiming to establish a global infrastructural network connecting China and Europe, among others. The EU faces the reality of an externally initiated attempt to integrate the Chinese and European economies, without being asked for permission. China’s strategy has been a bottom up approach, reaching out to individual EU-member states and their publics with ambitions for bilateral agreements and mutual cooperation. Meanwhile, frictions caused by perceived incompatible political differences have been a source of turbulence for Sino-EU relations for decades. The impact of the BRI on these relations remains obscure, warranting research efforts. This thesis asks specifically how the BRI affects EU foreign policy towards China, using the pathways of connection framework to make inferences. The framework, founded in realism, liberalism and constructivism, takes a relational and practitioner-centred approach. To gather data, explaining-outcome process tracing is employed as a method, trying to provide minimally sufficient evidence to explain the occurrence of the phenomenon under study. The study finds that the BRI affects the EU and EU foreign policy in a broad range of categories, as China rigorously pursues its foreign policy interests. It concludes that Chinese efforts are met negatively by the EU, who in return tries to fortify its defences to prevent the BRI from growing roots on the European continent.Show less
This thesis presents an analysis of the aims that (sections of) the Chinese government has expressed in the context of Djibouti, Senegal and Zambia and assesses the extent to which these expressed...Show moreThis thesis presents an analysis of the aims that (sections of) the Chinese government has expressed in the context of Djibouti, Senegal and Zambia and assesses the extent to which these expressed aims are viable. The findings suggest that although the expressed aims are viable, the viability these aims is constrained primarily by the lack of support from local populations.Show less
This thesis has attempted to investigate the progress that the Saudi government has made in fulfilling the goals related to the components of immigration and investment and tourism in Saudi Vision...Show moreThis thesis has attempted to investigate the progress that the Saudi government has made in fulfilling the goals related to the components of immigration and investment and tourism in Saudi Vision 2030. It has attempted to do so using nation branding theory specifically, making use of interviews, surveys and analysis of primary and secondary sources to investigate this process. The findings of this research indicate that tourism and investment are important sources of potential economic growth that can help the country diversify economically. However, due to instability in terms of the political climate and the authoritarian nature of the Saudi regime, tourism has been negatively affected in the country. In addition, investor worries concerning scandals in the country as well as concern over the government’s ability to deliver on its promises has also cast doubt on whether the goals outlined in the strategic document can be achieved in time. Together, these cases corroborate the findings of other scholars that Saudi Vision 2030 is too ambitious and that the government’s attempts to focus exclusively on improving its image may backfire if it does not undertake other reforms in the country.Show less
This research analyses three speeches by President Xi Jinping to examine the narrative he creates around the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The outcome of the study is twofold. Firstly, the...Show moreThis research analyses three speeches by President Xi Jinping to examine the narrative he creates around the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The outcome of the study is twofold. Firstly, the findings suggest that the Chinese government creates a narrative of continuity in China’s foreign policy by appealing to China’s soft power, including Chinese history and cultural values. Second, the speeches form an invitation to the world to adhere to China’s principles and follow its path of development.Show less
In this thesis I have investigated the use of the Chinese space programme in public diplomacy strategies. There is a gap between the image the Chinese government tries to project and China's...Show moreIn this thesis I have investigated the use of the Chinese space programme in public diplomacy strategies. There is a gap between the image the Chinese government tries to project and China's behaviour on the world stage. While the intended image is that of a peace-loving nation that uses its space programme for scientific purposes that will benefit mankind, on a security level China uses its space programme for military applications and power projection. I have investigated this divergence and speculated on the future space power dynamics.Show less
