Title: Between commerce and geopolitics: Is there a German China strategy?
Abstract: Throughout the past four decades, Germany's China policy was largely focused on strengthening economic relations. Although political goals also played a role, it was the economic relationship that time and again took centre stage. Crucially, this approach was not solely based on economic benefits but was reinforced by the idea that engaging China economically would also help to nudge the country towards liberalisation. However, under Xi Jinping, China has not only doubled down on its own distinct model of politico-economic governance at home but is also pursuing its interests abroad in a much more assertive and comprehensive manner. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) embodies China's ambitions to actively shape global markets, norms and institutions. It poses a complex set of geopolitical and geo-economic challenges. As this chapter argues, Germany's current China policy is ill-equipped to address some of these challenges and is consequently in need of a strategic rethink.
Publication Year: 2021
Publication Date: 2021-08-10
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 2
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