Dr Jan Knoerich, Lecturer on the Economy of China at the Lau China Institute, King's College London will present his latest research to the China Political Economy Graduate Discussion Group.
Over the past ten years, China’s outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) has spread rapidly across the globe, arousing much academic and public interest in the intentions, strategies, motivations and characteristics of Chinese companies going global. Two points of view are commonly found in the literature on Chinese OFDI. One sees it as a pure business endeavour, where Chinese firms invest abroad for profit and business expansion, similar to any other global businesses. The other perspective sees OFDI as a strategic instrument for Beijing, where strong government-enterprise links are exploited to advance what is in China’s national political interests. Against the background of this dichotomy, this presentation will propose a third perspective – one that sees Chinese OFDI as an extension of its industrial policies and national economic development agenda, geared towards using OFDI to achieve higher levels of economic growth and transformation, as well as technological catch-up, for the Chinese economy. When considered from this perspective, new questions emerge on how to view the expansion of multinationals from China and other emerging and developing economies.
When? 3rd of March, 2-4pm
Where? Room S1, Alison Richard Building, Sidgwick Site, 7 West Rd, CB3 9DT
To join the Political Economy of China Graduate discussion group and receive the recommended readings please email Vasiliki at vm314@cam.ac.uk!