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2.2. Methodology:
In order to find the direct coherence between increasing investments and China's influence in Cambodia, the thesis will use the descriptive analysis based on available data, and an explanatory case study to examine China’s effectiveness to influence Cambodia’s decision-making.
According to Odell (2004), the case study uses the theory as a guideline for a qualitative research, and then it tests this theory in a specific phenomenon, which it has not been applied before. In this case, it will be the phenomena of China's increasing involvement in Cambodia by projecting its full variety of tools in order to shape the environment. The data will be collected in particular period of time from 2003 to 2015. The year 2003 was chosen mainly as the beginning of the new China's strategy of the Peaceful Rice, which was announced by Zhen Bijian. As I have already mentioned, the new policy of ‘Peaceful Rise 2.0.’ is following the former strategy and adheres it to China’s new position, when it can stand for its national interests.
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國立 政 治 大 學
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Figure 2 Framework
Source: By author.
The thesis is thus divided into two parts. The first part intends to collect the data of territoriality and economic statecraft, as the means of China’s strategy to project its power on Cambodia. This is the core of the China’s foreign strategy of ‘Peaceful Rise 2.0.’; so, throughout the text the thesis will further elaborate on this strategy. The data will be collected from the primary and secondary sources from Chinese, Cambodian, ASEAN and other statistics, depending on the availability. Mostly the work will attempt to compare China’s engagement in Cambodia with other GMS countries, in order to emphasize the notable aspects. Usually, this is the point, where most of the studies come to the end, and do not offer any further discussion on correlation between power and influence, or even worse, they mistakenly unify the power with influence.
That is why this thesis here adapts the Professor Goh’s framework, who does not think that the factual economic values automatically equal the influence abilities. To put it simply, escalation of economic and diplomatic engagement helps to produce the power. However, to use the power, as the tool to shape the decisions, that is the whole new playground. That is why the work will attempt to find some intersections with Goh’s theory of influences. The data are also crucial for the thesis, so as to draw the whole picture of the grand China’s strategy in Cambodia, where the goal of interdependence and regional integration is significant from the perspective of the
‘Peaceful Raise 2.0.’.
The second part of the thesis consists of the case study, where I will be testing the effectiveness
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國立 政 治 大 學
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N a
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l C h engchi U ni ve rs it y
of the Goh’s tools of influence in Cambodia. By the simple relation suggesting that with rising structural power the ability to shape the environment rises as well. Such correlation might meet with problems, since for instance; the rising amount of dollar reserves held by China does not bring about the ability to control the USA. However, China adopts different techniques to deal with its stronger counterpart. This is the specific case, where regional power lures the small developing state back into its orbit, which means that here the proposed cohesion might work. To test this hypothesis, I will specifically describe the case of China’s involvement in hydro-power projects development in Cambodia. In my opinion this is the perfect case, where Goh’s framework is useful in order to prove the efficiency of China’s influence. These projects are often encountered with huge negative consequences towards population, living conditions, and natural protection. However, unlike in Myanmar, Cambodia’s leadership ignores the voice of its people and cooperates with China’s state-owned enterprises. Therefore, it will be very informative to observe the Beijing’s ability to create the common goods objective, despite the negative moods among Cambodia’s society.
2.2.1. Thesis Outline
The outline of the thesis will follow the order of framework stated above. The third chapter will introduce the adaptation of China’s strategy of ‘Peacful Raise 2.0.’ and its tools of influence in the region. It will try to find out how China has managed to win the heart of leadership, and why the business conditions pose often as an advantage for entrepreneurs coming from China. I will look into the current situation around the China’s economic statecraft and its strategy of forming the regional economic interdependence. I will explain the forms of China’s aid, trade, and foreign direct investments in Cambodia. Secondly, I will introduce the term of territorialization, as the soft tool of cultural influence, political interaction, and pulsing migration in the context of China’s foreign strategy. In other words, in this chapter I will evaluate the regional integration phase of ‘Peaceful Rise 2.0.’ strategy from theory to practice. The fourth chapter will bring up the construction of dam-infrastructure in Cambodia committed by Chinese firms. I will explain the background of hydropower projects in Mekong basin, the motivation of Beijing to build them, and the positive and negative consequences behind such construction. Last but not least, I will demonstrate the China’s influence efficiency according to Goh’s theory in terms of hydro-power energy involvement. In conclusion I will offer the brief summary by addressing the research questions.
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國立 政 治 大 學