U3 AOS 2 - Power in the Asia-Pacific

Question 1

Interpretations of Chinese Aid in Africa

Answer 1

Xi Jinping - “China’s investment in Africa comes with no political strings attached.”
John Bolton - “China uses … the strategic use of debt to hold states in Africa captive to Beijing’s wishes and demands.”
Robert Mugabee - Xi Jinping is a “God-sent man.”

Question 2

Define Aid

Answer 2

-refers to the provision of assistance to states, predominantly monetary, to global actors often with the intention of influencing their decisions and actions.

Question 3

“Aid for Oil” case study (aid and EP)

Answer 3

From 2000-22, African states borrowed almost $160bn from China.
Angola’s $42bn USD debt to China - debt-trap diplomacy.
“Almost half of the top ten recipients of Chinese aid in the past ten years gave access to oil wells & … rights to prospect for oil in return. Examples include Angola & Nigeria.” - The Conversation.

Question 4

“The Belt and Road Initiative” case study (aid and EP)

Answer 4

-is the revitalisation of the ancient silk road.
154 states have committed.

Cambodian expressway - Cost $2bn USD, provided 3000 Cambodian employees.

Sri Lankan port - Cost $1.5bn USD, in 2017 the Sri Lankan gov. said it couldn’t pay for. To repay their debt China was offered the port in a 99-year-lease.

Question 5

Chinese National Interests and aid

Answer 5

National security: Aid is given to states that recognise the PRC over the ROC.
Economic prosperity: China has received access to resources in recipient states as well as preferential treatment from said states.
Regional Relationships: Can strengthen bonds both economically and militarily.
International Standing: States that provide aid quite freely are widely seen as positive global actors; or is it neocolonialism?

Question 6

Vaccine Diplomacy case study (aid and RR)

Answer 6

In 2021 China’s COVID-19 vaccines were called “a global public good” and their distribution would be part of Xi’s vision of a “shared future for the people of the world” - Xi Jinping at the World Health Assembly.

China donated 600,000 to the Philippines, which President Duterte called an “answered prayer.” Later bought another 25 million more doses.

Question 7

Solomon Islands and Chinese Aid (aid and NS)

Answer 7

Late 2019 - The Solomon Islands received $730 million in aid from China; in exchange the Solomon Islands shifted their allegiance from the ROC to the PRC.
The Chinese gov. says it’s providing the Solomon Islands with “unprecedented development opportunities.”

Question 8

The “One China” policy

Answer 8

There’s only one state recognised as China - that is the PRC/mainland China. To establish diplomatic ties with Beijing, states must recognise the “One China” policy and acknowledge Beijing’s claims over Taiwan.

Question 9

Panda Diplomacy case study (culture and NS)

Answer 9

China uses pandas to signal which states they like.
2017 - Xi travelled to the Helsinki Zoo to present 2 pandas. Xi said China appreciated “Finland’s firm commitment to the One China policy.”

Question 10

Define trade

Answer 10

-refers to the manipulation of the exchange of goods, services, labour and capital to influence the actions of another/other actors.

Question 11

North Korean trade with China (trade and NS)

Answer 11

90% of North Korea’s trade is with China, who exported $2bn USD to the hermit nation in 2023.

North Korea acts as a buffer zone between China and South Korea, where 28,500 US troops are stationed.

Question 12

Define diplomacy

Answer 12

-refers to the the discussion and negotiation between states (via world leaders or ambassadors). This can also be conducted at multilateral forums such as the UN. When using diplomacy, states try to reach agreements, resolve issues, or strengthen their stance on global issues.

Question 13

How are the 2 types of power different?

Answer 13

Hard power involves coercion (the carrot or stick)

Soft power involves using attraction and appeal in order to garner support.

Question 14

Types of Soft power

Answer 14

Cultural power involves emphasising the desirable elements of the state’s culture to strengthen relationships.

***Diplomatic power involves engagement in dialogue and negotiation with other states in pursuit of national interests.

Question 15

Types of Hard power

Answer 15

Military power involves the use or threat of use of the military to exert influence.
Economic power involves the generation of wealth via trade or aid.
Political power involves policies enacted domestically to pursue national interests.

***Diplomatic power involves engagement in dialogue and negotiation with other states in pursuit of national interests.

Question 16

What are the 4 national interests?

Answer 16

1. National Security (NS)
2. Economic Prosperity (EP)
3. Regional Relationships (RR)
4. International Standing (IS)

Question 17

What are the 4 foreign policy instruments (FPI)

Answer 17

1. Trade
2. Aid
3. Military
4. Diplomacy

Question 18

What is a Hegemon?

Answer 18

-refers to the position of leadership of one state (or group) to dominate and persuade the global political agenda.

Question 19

Define Idealism

Answer 19

-is a school of thought in which foreign policy is influenced above all else by ideological principles and beliefs, as opposed to a particular ideology.

Question 20

Define Pragmatism

Answer 20

-is a school of thought in which foreign policy is influenced above all else by practical considerations, as opposed to a particular ideology.

Question 21

China’s National interests and the South China Sea

Answer 21

NS - China’s uncompromising stance to uphold territorial integrity; creating a buffer zone to protect the mainland.
EP - Securing 11bn barrels of oil and 190tn in gas reserves; undisputed access to 10% of worlds fish reserves; controlling $5.3tn in trade routes annuals.
IS - Refusal to acknowledge the UNCLOS demonstrates China’s willingness to ignore international law.
RR - Upsets neighbours; actions bring the region closer to conflict.

Question 22

South China Sea events 2013 - Feb. 2016

Answer 22

Jan. 2013 - the Philippines file UN arbitration over China’s sovereign claims.
Oct. 2015 - US warships patrol within 12 nautical miles of Chinese built islands to assert “freedom of navigation” in the SCS. Chinese ambassador calls the patrol “serious provocation, politically, and militarily.”
Feb. 2016 - Missiles to Paracels. US warns their deployment may signal “militarisation” of the dispute.

Question 23

South China Sea events Jul. 2016 - Present

Answer 23

Jul. 2016 - The Hague rules against China’s SCS claims. “China’s declared ‘Nine-dash-line’ has no legal basis.” China’s foreign minister says China “neither accepts nor recognise the court’s award.”
Dec. 2022 - Indonesia and Vietnam finalise their respective EEZs. Both of their agreed claims overlap with the Nine-Dash-Line.

Question 24

The UN Convention on the Law Of the Sea (UNCLOS) and Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ).

Answer 24

The UNCLOS states that every state has an EEZ extending 200 nautical miles from their land which they have sovereign control of.

Question 25

China’s Grey-zone tactics

Answer 25

-is the name used to describe China’s actions in the SCS.
Building artificial islands (paracels), and acting with intimidation not force. E.g. water cannons, boat ramming, firing of flares at Filipino fishing vessels within Filipino EEZ by the China Coast Guard.