China and Fragile Countries: Investment, Initiatives, and Impact

Description

This special issue examines China's multifaceted engagement in fragile countries characterized by weak institutions, limited state capacity, and insecurity. The focus encompasses Chinese foreign direct investment, corporate initiatives, and government-level activities aimed at development and peacebuilding, from the "Going Out" period through the Belt and Road Initiative era to present-day involvement in conflict mediation and UN peacekeeping operations.

The collection seeks to advance understanding of how Chinese actors—including state-owned and privately-owned enterprises as well as government agencies—approach development and peace in fragile settings. Particular attention is given to the environmental and social impacts of these initiatives, how they differ from Western approaches, and how they interact with existing international frameworks and local contexts.

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Potential topics

• Contexts: What are the types of contexts where Chinese organizations are active in social investments and initiatives for development and peace?
• Strategies and modes: How do Chinese enterprises, including State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and Privately-Owned Enterprises (POEs), function as agents of development, peace and stability? How do the strategies and activities of Chinese POEs differ compared to SOEs as far as these activities are concerned?
• Collaborations and alliances: How do Chinese enterprises collaborate with non-Chinese organizations in fragile settings?
• Links to IGOs: How does China interact with Inter-Governmental Organizations (IGOs), such as the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), and Department of Peace Operations (DPO)? What role do IGOs play in facilitating social investment and initiatives by Chinese enterprises?
• Contrasts to Western models: To what extent do the actions and impact of Chinese organizations in fragile settings necessitate a redefinition of development initiative, and how does its meaning differ compared to Western notions, such as that of 'liberal peace'?
• Local and hybrid models: Beyond the "liberal vs. developmental" paradigms comparison, how do Chinese practices in fragile settings interact with existing international and local frameworks? Are we witnessing the emergence of hybrid models in countries where both Chinese and Western countries are active?