China's oil investment in Central Asia from the late 1990s was not driven by energy needs or geopolitical ambitions, like many assumed. The real concern safety of its western boundary, while used as an instrument to forge political ties with neighbours. However, China has become one key players after more than 20 years engagement, and observers are keen find out why Beijing failed escape grand games focusing on diplomacy? And, what is implications new status Belt Road Initiative (BRI)? This...

Human capital has become one of the most important indicators a country's overall strength and development process in recent years. Based on samples listed companies from 2006 to 2020, this paper uses fixed-effects model explore impact mechanism human agglomeration firms' productivity. The study results show that significantly enhances productivity firms, i.e., higher level city, firms. After robustness test, research conclusions are reliable. shows knowledge spillover technological...

China has conducted six government reforms over the past three decades to separate functions from major industries. These enabled a number of national oil companies (NOCs) be established in 1980s, and NOCs were further listed international stock markets new century. However, due incomplete enterprise reforms, not been very successful playing role as 'principal' make an 'agent' manage China's petroleum industry on its behalf. A sensible government–NOCs relationship may created by either...

China and Japan used to have good energy cooperation before switched into a net oil importer in the mid-1990s, but recent years witnessed an increasingly intensive competition between two countries over petroleum supplies. While many saw such as inevitable with China's growing demands, paper argues that relationship was never separated from political strategic concerns, heavily affected by concern of ‘relative gains’, suggested neorealists. Like case prior mid-1990s when non-energy factors...

Abstract Indonesia and the Philippines have shared similar history, geological condition, economic structure. Located in Southeast Asia, both countries rich reserves of metallic minerals. They also experienced changes political system post-WWII era, from an authoritarian regime to a democracy, pursued neoliberal policy since 1980s.​ However, commonalities not led development path mining industry two countries. Our research was aimed reveal key factors that caused divergence Philippines,...

China has underscored its intention for peaceful development with the vision a "harmonious world." But at same time is keen to play more proactive role in international rule-making process, addressing dissatisfaction existing system.This article examines whether China's energy diplomacy vis-à-vis Sudan and Iran helped or hindered ambition development.China's dealings have departed from long-standing principle of non-interference internal affairs one active intervention, change intended help...