China’s massive Belt and Road Initiative poses three major geopolitical and economic implications for a middle power like Canada.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
This article examines the economic relationship between China and Pakistan, and addresses in particular the role of investments in the energy sector and its environmental impacts.
China’s Rising Power in International Finance
A potential new reserve currency The rise of China’s influence on the global financial market is demonstrated by its increased capital investments in international institutions and projects. As the Chinese capital market continues to expand, its control over financial institutions like the New Development Bank (NDB) and Asian Infrastructure Investment
The EU-China Trade Relationship: Factors Hindering A Free Trade Agreement
The EU-China trade relationship is of huge importance for global economic growth and prosperity. On average, trade between both parties is estimated to exceed one billion Euros per day. However, the increasing human rights violations in China, the disappointment around the “one belt one road” (OBOR) project, and the Trump
Chinese Expansion and Shifting Allegiances in the South Pacific
In recent decades, China’s global influence has grown substantially. Part of President Xi Jinping’s foreign policy strategy has been to invest heavily in remote and far-flung regions across the world, assembling a devoted band of small aid-dependent nations. One strategic area that has grasped China’s attention is the South Pacific,
What Does an Iran-China Partnership Mean?
In international relations, the saying, “the enemy of my enemy is a friend,” has proven true with the emergence of a new world order. Earlier this year, Iran’s increasing friendship with China was hinted at when a draft of a potential 25-year trade and military agreement was leaked. However, an
China’s Military is Not Ready to Challenge the United States
Historically, the rise of new powers comes with the threat of war, especially if the new power is “revisionist,” or unhappy with the current international system and wants to completely overthrow it. In the 1930s, the rise of Germany led to World War Two, and after that, the rise of
Behind China’s Shift in Foreign Policy
Since Deng Xiaoping’s economic reforms in the 1980s, Chinese foreign policy has been relatively non-threatening. During its economic rise, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) embraced a Peaceful Development strategy. This strategy emphasized that China’s prosperity depended on a peaceful international environment and, in turn, China’s rise would contribute to global
Comparing Biden’s and Trump’s Foreign Policy Approaches
In less than a week, on November 3rd, the results of the 2020 United States Presidential election will be revealed. Not only is this election huge for Americans as it could mean the difference in regards of COVID deaths, systemic racism, or immigration, but it will have long-standing international repercussions.
Navigating Difficult Waters: the South China Sea Dispute
Why does the South China Sea matter and why is its ownership widely disputed? For many decades, the South China Sea (SCS) has been a highly contested area between China and other Southeast Asian countries including Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, and Indonesia. The area is located in a major
Censorship in Hollywood: What it Means for Soft Power Diplomacy
A recent report released by PEN America found that an increasing number of Hollywood films are “voluntarily” censored to appease the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The report highlights China’s expansive market and billion dollar revenue stream as a key factor in this decision making. The normalization of censorship in media
A House Made of BRICS
In recent years, the term BRICS has been widely circulated throughout the realm of international relations. BRICS – an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – refers to the biggest rising powers in the 21st Century. The current shift in the global system poses an opportunity for
TikTok and the Fracturing of the Internet
Over the past few months, millions of bored teenagers scrolled through TikTok, the hit short video social media app, to cope with the seemingly endless amount of free time during quarantine. While viral videos of dancing and lip synching appear to be as harmless as it gets, the platform has
Hong Kong: the Protests, the Pandemic, and the Continued Fight for Democracy
Recently, the international community has seen the will of democracy tested – from fraudulent elections to anti-corruption protests, it is clear that the international community has an uphill battle trying to fight for civil liberties. Perhaps the most high profile and well-discussed fight for democracy is the case of Hong
Why Muslim Countries are Supporting China’s Oppression of the Uyghurs
On July 8, 2019, a group of 22 predominantly Western countries issued a letter to the United Nations Human Rights Council condemning China for their oppression of the Uyghurs in Xinjiang. Days later, 37 developing countries, many of which are Muslim-majority, came together and wrote a different letter to the
New World Order
The balance of power is constantly changing. Recently, the international system has undergone a massive shift characterized by the rise of China and the decline of the United States. For the first time in modern history, the global hegemon will not hail from the West, posing an existential threat to
What’s the Belt and Road Initiative?
Introduction In 2013, China announced the inception of the Belt and Road Initiative, its colossal plan to create a massive network of global trade and invest in infrastructure development in dozens of countries across the world. Since its inception, the BRI has caused a worldwide stir. Some countries view it
