果冻影院

Peter Braga (果冻影院 SSEES)

For the past decade, Russia, Ukraine and Belarus have sought to use their bilateral relations with China to strengthen authoritarian persistence. Authoritarian persistence refers to how regimes use their position within the international system to reinforce non-democratic rule at home and maintain power over an extended period.聽

First and foremost, this research seeks to further understanding of how relations at the international level impact the illiberal tendencies of regimes at the domestic level. In particular, it looks at how relations with China have strengthened or weakened elements of authoritarianism present in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. At the same time, it contributes to a debate on whether China is best understood as an autocracy promoter鈥攊mposing a particular non-democratic system of rule upon other countries鈥攐r as patron of authoritarian regimes.

An additional motivation for this study relates to a lack of research on China鈥檚 activities and impact in post-Soviet East Europe. The majority of studies on post-Soviet鈥揅hina relations have focused on Central Asia. This is because China has conducted a highly publicised charm offensive to increase its presence in the region. Most notably, this charm offensive has included the proposition of massive bilateral deals to integrate the region鈥檚 transit systems into China鈥檚 ambitious One Belt, One Road (OBOR) infrastructure project (otherwise known as the Silk Road project). By contrast, this study looks to the neglected 鈥済ateway鈥� for China鈥檚 OBOR to Europe: Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.

Finally, understanding the nature of Chinese relations with Russia, Ukraine and Belarus is essential to appreciate changes taking place in and around the region. Deepening ties with China presents new opportunities and risks for the regimes in the three countries. Most of all, it is affecting the regional balance of power. Like in Central Asia, China鈥檚 growing presence confronts Russia鈥檚 role as a hegemon in the region. However, the main difference from Central Asia is that there is another major power bloc鈥攖he European Union鈥攁cting as a second regional hegemon. China鈥檚 growing economic ties with Ukraine and Belarus might weaken Russian influence. Moreover, Chinese financial support could both prolong undemocratic rule in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus and enable China to establish a political and economic presence along the EU鈥檚 eastern borders.聽

Peter is a MPhil/PhD research student at SSEES. His primary and secondary PhD advisors are Andrew Wilson and Peter Duncan.聽

A seminar hosted by the 果冻影院 SSEES Social Sciences Research Student聽 Seminars

Student Coordinators: Peter Braga and Liisa Tuhkanen