The Rationale and Strategy behind China’s Foreign Aid towards Its Southeastern Neighbors
Abstract
China distributes half amount of foreign aid to its southeastern Asian neighbors, yet the rationale and strategy behind it are rather diversified and complicated. The paper argues that regional security and stability are China’s priority consideration while economic benefit incentive plays a critical role in China’s foreign aid towards its southeastern neighbors. The paper also indicates that to increase soft power influence in periphery is another impulsion of China’s foreign aid towards its neighbors. The three dimensions open more opportunities to understand China’s foreign aid, which is going to be expected to increase greatly with the new ambitious initiative on “Belt and Road” strategy.