China's Foreign Policy Decision-Making Mechanism and “One Belt One Road” Strategy

Abstract

China's foreign policy agenda will change significantly from "keeping a low profile" to "proactively and enterprisingly striving for achievements" as it implements the One Belt One Road (OBOR) strategy. It requires the foreign policy apparatus to make a response accordingly. However, the current policymaking mechanism has three flaws that include the collection and analysis of information, the selection and summary of policy suggestions, and the final decision making, of which the second process is particularly obvious. Hence, China needs to reform the conceptual framework, bureaucratic systems and talent selection of the foreign policy bureaucracy. Firstly, it should change the view of "no preferential diplomacy for weak country" and form wide-ranging political vision and long-term perspective in the relationship with surrounding countries. Secondly, China should strengthen the National Security Council (NSC)'s control over external affairs and appoint a standing member of the Politburo as deputy NSC chairman and deputy leader of the Central Foreign Affairs Leading Group. This official would then be responsible for foreign affairs. In addition, the post of foreign minister should be held by a vice premier who is also a member of the Politburo. Thirdly, it needs to separate political appointees and civil servants, to strengthen off-the-job training and to appoint experienced specialists and scholars to its decision-making agency.

Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of China: Connecting the World for Sustainable Economic Development

“…Xue (2016) [59] BRI influences the foreign policy agenda of China from "keeping a low profile" to "proactively and enterprisingly striving for achievements".…”

Comprehending Brunei Darussalam’s vanishing claims in the South China Sea: China’s exertion of economic power and the influence of elite perception

“…In responding to the dynamics caused by a multipolar world structure, Brunei has focused to show a gesture to align with China, despite engaging at the same time, the strategy of Omnienmeshment of ASEAN peaceful norms in the region. This condition is due to the growing interdependence of the Brunei economy towards China's future-oriented development projects such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and favorable foreign direct investments throughout the years (Aoyama, 2016;Xue, 2016;Yoshikawa, 2016). As the second-largest economy in the world, China's economic prowess has shaped the perception of Brunei of the clear gap of power between China and Brunei, leading Brunei to establish stronger alignment with China, rather than going against it.…”

Impact of Belt and Road Initiative on Asian Economies

“…The BRI should be an initiative not only for economic but also for human development. Xue (2016) focused on the problems in the mechanism of China's foreign policy that changed significantly from "keeping a low profile" to "proactively and enterprisingly motivated for achievements" as it implements the BRI strategy. Such problems exist at three phases of the decisionmaking process that include collection and analysis of information, selection and summary of policy suggestions and final decision-making.…”