Does the Belt and Road Initiative Promote Bilateral Political Relations?

This paper examines the role of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in enhancing political relations between China and its partner countries. We postulate that an international economic cooperation scheme such as the BRI may facilitate commercial exchanges and increase the participating countries’ economic gains. This should generate incentives for these countries to avoid political tensions that may jeopardize mutually beneficial economic exchanges, and to expand the constellation of domestic coalitions in support of cordial diplomatic and political relations. We test the effect of the BRI on bilateral political relations using data on political relations between China and 91 countries along the BRI route between 2006 and 2018. Treating the promulgation of the BRI in 2013 as a policy shock, our difference-in-difference analysis lends substantial support to our hypotheses. Further analyses of the underlying causal mechanisms suggest that the BRI bolsters political relations by strengthening economic ties with partner countries through trade and investment related to economic cooperation.

The Relationship Between the Communist Party of China and the Japanese Communist Party During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression

It is important to clarify the historical facts and summarize the characteristics of the communication and cooperation between the CPC and the JCP during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, as it holds historical and contemporary relevance. The research findings indicate that the Comintern played a crucial role as the key intermediary in facilitating the establishment of connections between the CPC and the JCP and in driving the deepening of their relationship. During their exchanges, both parties adhered to a flexible and multi-layered friendship based on the unified values of patriotism and internationalism. Their efforts played a significant role in the establishment of an international anti-fascist front in the East.

British Political Economy in Post-EU Era and China-UK Relations

Although Theresa May the new British Prime Minister had followed Cameron to stand for staying in the EU,after taking office,she has openly stated on several occasions that she will respect the public opinions of the country and carry out a foreign policy of implementing Brexit according to the result of the referendum.In so doing,she has even made Boris Johnson,a controversy lead

The Relationship Between the Communist Party of China and the Japanese Communist Party During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression

It is important to clarify the historical facts and summarize the characteristics of the communication and cooperation between the CPC and the JCP during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression,as it holds historical and contemporary relevance.The research findings indicate that the Comintern played a crucial role as the key intermediary in facilitating the establishment of connections between the CPC and the JCP and in driving the deepening of their relationship.During their exchanges,both parties adhered to a flexible and multi-layered friendship based on the unified values of patriotism and internationalism.Their efforts played a significant role in the establishment of an international anti-fascist front in the East.

Advancing Public Diplomacy during Cold Sino-Japan Relations A Case Study of the Confucius Institute at Ritsumeikan

Tense political relations are seen as a barrier to China's public diplomacy with Japan.Despite various setbacks,Confucius Institutes,a classic example of public diplomacy,have continued to stay open in Japan.This paper uses the Confucius Institute at Ritsumeikan(CIR) as a case study to explore how public diplomacy can be carried out when political relations between China and Japan are cold.It concludes that cold political relations do not necessarily mean public diplomacy will fail.Good cooperation with Japanese partners can bring positive results.Also,choosing the right partner is important;government "interference" should be avoided.Finally,China should deal with each Confucius Institute differently,and Japanese universities' enthusiasm should be stimulated through encouragement and retreat mechanisms.

Female Workers, Political Mobilization, and the Meaning of Revolutionary Citizenship in Beijing, 1948-1950

After entering Beijing in January 1949, the Communist Party immediately sent cadres to local factories in order to mobilize female industrial workers into a women＇s movement and to establish the idea of ＂revolutionary citizenship.＂ The Party wished to nurture this idea in both the local political arena and in women＇s lives inside and outside the factories. This article demonstrates that a host of factors defined revolutionary citizenship, including party directives, choices in revolutionary strategy, cadres＇ interpretations of directives and their own initiatives, and workers＇ reactions to mobilization. It was in this complex mix of mobilization, women＇s strategies to protect and advance their own interests, and the politics of group representation in the revolution, that female workers came to understand the meaning and impact of revolutionary citizenship and the shape of labor-state relations in the emerging socialist China.