Navigating Adroitly: China's Interaction with the Global Trade, Investment and Financial Regimes

Abstract

This article explores who has most skilfully used the rules of the global economic regime — China, or the nations whose companies invest in her? We first analyse China’s adoption and implementation of WTO commitments in the auto industry and the cultural goods sector. We then consider the liberalisation of China’s foreign direct investment (FDI) scheme and China’s use of FDI as a vehicle to acquire foreign technology, while also restricting FDI to protect the domestic banking sector. Finally, we analyse China’s engagement with the international financial regime, particularly its exchange rate policy, and whether this too represents a strategic implementation of reforms. Based on these four case studies, we conclude that while the West initially dictated the terms of China’s interaction with the global economic system, over time China has deftly engaged with global rules so as to promote its own national interests.

Keywords: WTO, trade, investment, finance, China, dispute settlement, reform