China’s Approach to International Development:A Study of Southeast Asia

Abstract: China is establishing itself as a new international aid donor. This study explains China’s emerging approach to international development assistance. The paper addresses the question of how far China’s understanding of “development ” is an appropriate basis for genuinely “win-win ” relationships? The paper explores this question by examining China’s relationship with Southeast Asia. China is re-emphasising its commitment and partnership credentials with neighbouring states, some of whom have many people living in poverty and as countries are in need of development assistance. The paper identifies key facets of China’s approach to international development, examines economic, political and strategic factors underpinning China’s approach in Southeast Asia. Adopting a Human Security perspective, it assesses China’s development contribution with reference to Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar and highlights popular opposition. The study finds that Chinese trade and investment are making a significant contribution to the region’s economic growth. However, the analysis identifies two problems in China’s approach, an over-reliance on the level of state-to-state relations and too narrow a domain of engagement centred upon economic cooperation. China needs to incorporate a societal engagement strategy highlighting transparency and accountability of Chinese corporate behaviour. It also needs to re-balance its approach by emphasising human capital capability and capacity-building across the non-economic social and cultural domains. China’s approach to international development is a rapid learning process and is emerging, but still has further to go

Emerging Economies, Disaster Risk Reduction, and South–South Cooperation: The Case of Mexico

The emerging economies differ from each other in various economic, political, and cultural ways, but hold a broad understanding and approach on key challenges of sustainable development, climate change mitigation, and disaster risk reduction (DRR). This approach contributes to advancing South–South cooperation (SSC). This article focuses on the approach of these economies to DRR, using the case of Mexico to examine this question. Mexico, one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to natural disasters, has been applauded by leading international DRR figure for its commitment and practical response to DRR. The article explores this DRR response and what Mexico’s story has to offer to other countries in the context of SSC and its emerging role in international development cooperation (IDC). It argues that Mexico’s DRR story has many important positive aspects to contribute to SSC knowledge-sharing and IDC, but it also illustrates continuing challenges of financing, administration, and politics for emerging and developing economies alike.Japan International Cooperation Agency Research Institute (JICA

China and Humanitarian Aid Cooperation

China’s international humanitarian aid role is increasing. Widely welcomed by recipients, China’s aid is also criticised on motivational and technical grounds and surrounded by intensifying political scrutiny. There is an urgent need to ensure that humanitarian cooperation with China is not derailed politically, weakening support for developing economies when they are most in need. Constructive international policy dialogue and knowledge exchange between China and the international community is crucial to re-evaluating and strengthening humanitarian coordination and effectiveness.Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Offic

China's Role in Burma's Development

China has been a long?standing partner for Burma (Myanmar), providing important political, military and economic support. Burma's reform process poses new questions and challenges for China. China's interests in Burma are primarily economic?driven by its need for strategic resources and are highly controversial. This study argues that China's approach to Burma's development is determined by its own national economic interests. Beijing's view is that this is a ‘win?win’ situation. This is a view under critical review in Burma as it seeks to re?balance its foreign relationships. This article details the critical point at which Sino–Burmese relations now stand, explains Burma's current development profile, outlines Chinese involvement in Burma and explains China's development approach to Burma in terms of China's national economic, political and security interests

The multinational corporation: a study in the political economy of power Neil Gordon McDonald Renwick

This study focuses on the question of how far multinational corporations lie beyond the regulatory control of nation-states. In what sense are these corporations autonomous organisations whose rules Ana practice exist independent of State control? This is a political rather than economic question, for concepts such as power, control or independence are fundamentally political in nature,. The thesis analyses four leading interpretations or the multinationals and their relations with States, the actual characteristics of both 'actors' and the role of oil multinationals in the international oil industry in relation to 'host' and 'home' governments. Much of the debate over multinationals centres upon their unique character. Organised on the basis of productive capital in a number of countries, that is, subsidiaries linked to centralised managerial; technical and financial resources, it is argued that these companies exercise global flexibility with which the States tied to their borders- cannot compete. 'Global Reach' is therefore claimed to allow multinationals to ignore national regulations and interests. This analysis, however, suggests that the multinational-State relationship takes place within the framework of national regulations and international supervisory bodies that effectively form the 'rules' for the multinationals and the boundaries for bargaining. The multinational forms an important and integral part of the prevailing system that is largely reflective of State-interests, rather than a major challenge to the authority of the States