China Quarterly of International Strategic Studies

Unlike many, or most, Western leaders, David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s first prime minister and primary founder, had become interested in Asia, and especially India and later even more in China, since the 1930s. He predicted the disintegration of colonialism, the liberation of Asian countries, and the emergence of China not only as one of the world’s great powers, but as the greatest. From the very beginning, he criticized Washington’s support of the Kuomintang’s corrupted regime and, following the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, blocking its admission to the United Nations as a colossal foreign policy mistake. In a number of papers, speeches, interviews, and conversations, Ben-Gurion expected President Kennedy to correct this mistake and regarded U.S. involvement in Vietnam as another mistake. Long before his death in December 1973, he had warned of the gradual and relative weakening of the United States in contrast to the eventual rise of China in military, economic, and technological terms. He also underlined that Moscow, rather than Beijing, is Washington’s main enemy and that the essence of the conflict between China and the Soviet Union is not ideological but primarily territorial, related to lands occupied by Russia since the 17th century, which China would never forget nor forgive. Along with his other prophecies (Israel’s peace with Egypt, European unity, and the Soviet collapse), his conclusion that Washington would have no choice but to resume its partnership with China soon materialized.

China’s growing involvement in trade and foreign investments across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) has impacted regional countries’ relations with the United States, the traditionally dominant power. In the case of Mexico, China is expanding its presence in the Mexican economy, which could either strengthen or complicate the Mexico-U.S. relationship. The paper aims to examine the impact of China’s role in the Mexican economy within the framework of Mexico-U.S. Ties and the U.S.-China trade war. It argues that the trade war augments Mexico’s participation in the U.S. market through the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The empirical analysis demonstrates that Mexico has leveraged the U.S.-China trade war under the new rules established by the USMCA. The new rules of origin and labor provisions give Mexico a greater advantage in accessing the U.S. market and enhance the country’s appeal to foreign companies for nearshoring, despite the asymmetrical nature of Mexico-U.S. relations. Meanwhile, rather than hindering Mexico-China trade, the prohibition stipulated in the USMCA against signing a trade agreement with a non-market economy has helped expand trade links between the two countries.

The role of Chinese entrepreneurship in the development of Russian–Chinese border relations in the context of global regionalism is a topic of increasing importance in international studies. Chinese entrepreneurship is considered in the context of interregional Russian–Chinese cooperation. This paper studies the features of Chinese ethnic entrepreneurship in the Russian Far East and examines the impact of Chinese businesses on the economic, social, and political dynamics of the Russian–Chinese border region and their influence on global regionalism. Through case studies and analysis of current trends, this paper explores how Chinese entrepreneurship has transformed the border region, creating new opportunities for economic cooperation, cultural exchange, and political engagement between Russia and China. The author also discusses the challenges and potential conflicts that arise from the growing presence of Chinese businesses in the region, and offers recommendations for fostering positive and sustainable development in the area.

Following the Taliban’s ascension to power, the Afghan government expresses a keen interest in affiliating with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The prospective inclusion of Afghanistan in the BRI holds the promise of a profound impact on the Afghan economy, security dynamics, and overall stability. Concurrently, such an association can advance Beijing’s strategic interests within its domestic sphere and the broader regional context. Within the intricate geopolitical milieu of Afghanistan, characterized by ongoing legitimacy concerns, China’s escalating engagement assumes paramount importance, bearing substantial consequences for both Afghanistan and Beijing. This paper examines China’s investment and aid strategies in Afghanistan pre- and post-Taliban ascension to power in 2021. Additionally, it delves into the identification and analysis of the pivotal land transport network in Afghanistan, particularly in the context of its potential integration with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and participation in the BRI, assessing the consequential advantages thereof. Furthermore, it scrutinizes the dynamic diplomatic and security relations between China and Afghanistan, with a focus on safeguarding China’s strategic assets in the region. The authors utilize qualitative research, incorporating primary and secondary data from government documents, official speeches, interviews with experts, and various research works. The study concludes that China has increased investments in Taliban-led Afghanistan, confident that Afghanistan’s participation in BRI could reshape its economy, strengthen Beijing’s strategic position in minerals and energy, and considerably improve Afghanistan’s security environment. The research provides valuable insights for policy debates and international efforts to promote stability and long-term growth in a war-torn nation.

In an era of rapid technological evolution, modernization of government functions, particularly defense policies, is imperative for national security. This research aims to explore three critical dimensions: the influence of technological advancements on defense policy development and implementation, strategies to overcome bureaucratic hurdles, and the role of international cooperation in enhancing defense modernization. Utilizing qualitative research methods, this study employs secondary data from scholarly articles, government reports, and case studies. The findings indicate that technological innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI) significantly shape defense policies, but bureaucratic resistance and complex organizational structures hinder progress. Furthermore, international collaboration provides essential resources and expertise, facilitating more effective modernization efforts. Against this backdrop, integrating advanced technologies, streamlining bureaucratic processes, and fostering international partnerships are vital for modernizing defense policies to address contemporary security challenges effectively.