China’s Economic Statecraft: Turning Wealth into Power

Never in world history has one government had so much control over so much wealth. It is no surprise, therefore, that Beijing is deploying its vast economic wealth to advance foreign policy goals. China is using economic statecraft more frequently, more assertively, and in more diverse fashion than ever before. Yet fears of China’s economic coercion should not be overdrawn. Diverging interests across the broad array of state and commercial actors engaged in China’s economic statecraft impedes effective policy implementation. A review of cases where China has used economic sticks or carrots shows a mixed record of success. Indeed, in many respects China’s use of economic statecraft has been counterproductive. These constraints, along with China’s domestic challenges, limit China’s capacity to exert effective economic coercion over many of its trading partners.

Dr James Reilly is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Government and International Relations at the University of Sydney. His most recent book is Strong Society, Smart State: The Rise of Public Opinion in China’s Japan Policy (Columbia University Press, 2012).  He has published in leading journals such Asian Survey, China Quarterly, China: An International Journal, Chinese Journal of International Politics, Japanese Journal of Political Science, Journal of Contemporary China, Modern Asian Studies, Survival, and Washington Quarterly.

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Time and place

22 may, 14:00-15:30

CBS
Porcelænshaven 24
DK-2000 Frederiksberg
Room 2.68