编号 2 (2025)
Articles
The trend towards nationalization of the lithium industry as a threat to Chinese companies operating in Argentina and Chile
摘要
The article is dedicated to studying the impact of the trend toward nationalization of the lithium industry in Argentina and Chile on the activities of Chinese companies amid the global surge in demand for lithium, driven by the development of the electric vehicle industry and renewable energy sources. The subject of the study lies in analyzing the operations of Chinese mining and industrial enterprises in Argentina and Chile under the intensifying trend of lithium industry nationalization. Particular attention is paid to the influence of this process on China’s access to lithium resources within the context of global geopolitical competition. The research covers risks associated with the redistribution of control over lithium projects and the potential for economic pressure from the PRC on the «lithium triangle» countries. Additionally, the subject includes an assessment of the adaptation of China’s strategy under nationalization conditions and its implications for China’s position in the global lithium market, considering contemporary economic and political factors, including the weakening influence of the US and the rising demand for lithium. The objective of the work is to evaluate the risks of reduced access to lithium resources for China, the potential for economic pressure by the PRC on Argentina and Chile, and the prospects for adapting China’s strategy in the «lithium triangle» The methodology encompasses the analysis of secondary data from official sources and media, a comparative analysis of the policies of «lithium triangle» countries, case studies of the 2023 nationalization plans and Chinese company activities, and a qualitative assessment of geopolitical factors. The novelty of the work lies in its comprehensive evaluation of the impact of the 2023 nationalization plans in Argentina and Chile on Chinese companies, taking into account modern economic and geopolitical factors, thus making a significant contribution to studies of resource nationalism in the «lithium triangle» This research emphasizes current policy changes in the region, analyzing their consequences for China as a key player in the lithium market. It uniquely integrates the analysis of the 2023 nationalization plans with an assessment of Argentina and Chile’s economic dependence on the PRC, alongside the weakening US position, offering new perspectives on the adaptation of China’s strategy amid intensifying geopolitical competition and growing global lithium demand. The research findings demonstrate that nationalization could shift control over lithium projects to local authorities, forcing China to seek alternative supply chains; however, Argentina and Chile’s reliance on Chinese investments and export markets provides the PRC with room for maneuver, particularly as US influence in the region weakens.
World politics. 2025;(2):1-18
1-18
Prospects for economic cooperation between China and Afghanistan after the withdrawal of US Troops
摘要
The article presents a comprehensive analysis of the transformation and prospects of economic cooperation between China and Afghanistan in the context of the U.S. troop withdrawal in 2021. The study focuses on three key clusters: (1) transport and logistics projects, concerning the development of railway and road corridors, including the China–Afghanistan line and the expansion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC); (2) infrastructure initiatives, encompassing the construction of energy facilities (TAPI, CASA-1000, 500 kV power lines), fiber-optic networks, and the Digital Silk Road; (3) mining agreements, involving negotiations and contracts for the development of copper (Mes Aynak), lithium, and oil deposits (Amu Darya basin). The aim of this paper is to comprehensively assess the feasibility of economic cooperation initiatives between the two countries in both bilateral and multilateral formats. The theoretical and methodological foundation of the study is grounded in international relations theories, in particular liberalism. This theory is used to explain how economic initiatives and models of bilateral and multilateral cooperation can contribute to peace and stability in the region. The study reveals that following the U.S. withdrawal, China intensified its diplomatic and economic engagement, provided humanitarian assistance, supported the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative and the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor, and resumed agreements on the development of copper, lithium, and oil deposits. Bilateral trade volumes have increased, while new transportation routes have contributed to reducing logistical costs. The primary obstacles identified are political instability, security threats (particularly ISIS-K terrorist attacks), as well as deficits in infrastructure and qualified personnel. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the systematization and in-depth analysis of state policies, economic indicators, and cooperation mechanisms between China and Afghanistan to clarify the prospects for their economic interaction. New political developments in Afghanistan following the U.S. troop withdrawal in 2021 create an urgent need for comprehensive research assessing the practical feasibility of bilateral economic cooperation. The findings of this study can be utilized to inform the strategies of international organizations and investors, and to develop mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating investment projects.
World politics. 2025;(2):19-35
19-35
Digital transformation as the part of China's foreign policy strategy
摘要
Digitalization plays a key role in the political strategy of international actors due to its impact both on the transformation of governance processes and on the interaction of states in the international arena. The subject of the article is the analysis of the main trends of digital transformation as an integral part of the foreign policy strategy of the People's Republic of China. Special attention is paid to aspects of external promotion of technological initiatives by China. China is shaping the digital ecosystem, actively promoting it in world politics within the framework of the concept of a "community of common destiny in cyberspace." It is determined that China is striving both to strengthen its position in the global market and to become a leading player in the field of digital innovation, which makes its strategy an important factor in global digital transformation. The study of China's strategy includes discourse analysis, conceptual analysis, and an "ideological-value" approach. Critical conceptual and narrative analyses have defined the conceptual foundations of the digital strategy. Event analysis and case study revealed the trends and mechanisms of Beijing's digital system. The institutional method has identified institutions for the development of the digital economy. The analysis of secondary statistical data showed the dynamics of China's digitalization in the global system. Special attention is paid to China's role in shaping global technology standards and its interaction with actors in promoting digital initiatives. The initiative of the Digital Silk Road as a tool for exporting Chinese technologies is analyzed. China's digital influence is particularly pronounced in the countries of Central Asia, Africa and Latin America in terms of creating infrastructure projects and exporting digital technologies, promoting global "ideological and value-based" initiatives. The novelty of the article lies in the systematization of the mechanisms for promoting China's digital strategy, demonstrating its desire to take a leading position in the field of digital innovation development. The main focus is on China's promotion of global digital governance initiatives and analysis of Chinese technology scaling issues in various countries.
World politics. 2025;(2):36-61
36-61
Characteristics of the African Policy of Contemporary Cuba
摘要
The subject of the research is Cuba's foreign policy. The focus of the study is on Havana's foreign policy activities in Africa during the period from 2010 to 2025. The author examines the history of Cuba's activities in Africa, the contemporary relations between Cuba and its key partners in the region—South Africa, Nigeria, Angola, Ethiopia, and Algeria—are analyzed. The particular features of Cuba's foreign policy towards Africa and the significance of its relations with the continent for Havana are identified. Special attention is paid to several aspects important for maintaining the intensity of Cuba-Africa relations. These include the role of historical memory in justifying current cooperation, the dynamics of high-level diplomatic visits, and Cuba's medical and educational diplomacy. The goals of Cuba’s foreign policy towards Africa are considered in the context of the increasing role of the Global South in global politics. General scientific methods of cognition are applied, including analysis and synthesis, as well as elements of the comparative method. The sources for the analysis include documents and informational materials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Cuba and African countries, as well as media materials from Cuba and African nations, and scientific works by domestic and foreign specialists. The scientific novelty of the work is due to the lack of attempts in domestic science to analyze the modern foreign policy of Cuba concerning African countries. This study demonstrates the adaptation of the Caribbean republic to the challenges of today's global politics. Key findings include, firstly, the continuing importance of Africa for Cuba’s global objectives, which are to prevent the diplomatic and economic isolation of the island and to seek partners for trade and innovative cooperation. African countries support Havana in the UN and are willing to pay for the services of Cuban specialists. Secondly, Cuba not only continues to maintain, but also to develop cooperation with African countries. It has been established that in the last three years, Cuba has intensified high-level diplomatic visits to Africa—countries on the continent have been visited by the president, the vice-president, and the minister of foreign affairs. Havana interacts with Africa not only bilaterally but also multilaterally, and has good relations with organizations such as the African Union and ECOWAS.
World politics. 2025;(2):62-74
62-74
Potential of national-cultural autonomy in the implementation of public diplomacy (on the example of the activities of the national-cultural autonomies of Republic of Crimea)
摘要
The subject of the research is the potential of national-cultural autonomies in the implementation of public diplomacy (using the example of the activities of national-cultural autonomies of the Republic of Crimea). Modern international influence is based on the ability to attract attention through cultural values, political ideals and humanitarian initiatives, and public diplomacy is a tool for implementing this influence through dialogue between non-state actors and foreign audiences. National-cultural autonomies representing the interests of ethnic and cultural communities can become key non-state actors in this process, as they establish close ties with cultural metropolises and with states where a particular culture is widely represented. These connections directly influence the trust that arises within ethnic communities and, as a result, form a positive perception of the processes occurring between a national minority and the state. The novelty of the study lies in the fact that for the first time the activities of national-cultural autonomies have been improved at the current stage of implementation of public diplomacy. To determine the level of involvement of regional national-cultural autonomies of the Republic of Crimea in international activities, an expert survey was conducted. As a result of the expert survey conducted, aimed at determining the level of international activity of the national-cultural autonomies, as well as the analysis of the activities of the Crimean national-cultural autonomies, the parameters for assessing the effectiveness of their activities in implementing foreign policy were identified. The metric measurement of each of the designated parameters makes it possible to determine the effectiveness of the use of the resource of national-cultural autonomies in the implementation of public diplomacy.
World politics. 2025;(2):75-88
75-88
The influence of the small state factor and historical traumas on the foreign policy of Serbia in the context of the confrontation between Russia and Western countries
摘要
The subject of this article is the foreign policy of Serbia as a small country in relation to Russia and the West during their confrontation since 2022. The object of the study is the Republic of Serbia. The author focuses on the analysis of Belgrade's behavior through the concept of a "small state" and through the peculiarities of the historical development of the republic. When analyzing the factors of small countries, special attention is paid to their foreign policy strategies, which were identified by researchers of the 20th century and which Belgrade is currently applying. In identifying the factors of the historical development of political leadership in Belgrade from a comparative perspective, the focus of the study is on the periods of external Yugoslavia under J. Broz Tito and the opposite course under S. Milosevic. All these factors add up and explain Serbia's chosen foreign policy strategy of balancing between the two major players. The study uses social constructivism to analyze how Serbia's historically established identity (Tito's neutrality, Milosevic's isolationism) influences its current foreign policy course. The Neorealist approach is used to assess the systemic constraints that Belgrade faces as a small country. The official content analysis allows to analyze the statements of the Serbian authorities and the media discourse in a given period. The novelty of this study lies in the analysis of the internal political factors of the Republic of Serbia in the context of its foreign policy strategy in the period from 2022. The analysis of Serbia's foreign policy through the prism of the theories of small countries is also new. In the Russian scientific literature, research is focused only on the bilateral relations between Moscow and Belgrade. In this paper, we study the factors that motivate the Serbian leadership to conduct relations with both Russia and the West. The author concludes that Serbia's foreign policy remains strategically cautious and balanced between the great powers due to historical experience (the negative consequences of the isolation of the 1990s under Milosevic and defeat in the Yugoslav wars, on the one hand, and Tito's neutrality and the growth of the Yugoslav economy, on the other) until internal and external circumstances they will force Belgrade to make a choice in favor of one of the great powers.
World politics. 2025;(2):89-109
89-109
China's peacekeeping in Africa as a foundation for strengthening Beijing's influence on the continent considered on the Sudan's example
摘要
The article examines the expansion of China's geopolitical influence in Africa through the participation of the Chinese peacekeeping contingent in the settlement of continental military conflicts, in particular, using the example of Sudan. The methodological basis of the study is a systemic-structural approach, which is based on the study of Beijing's peacekeeping activities; two methodological principles are used: the "principle of universalism" and the "principle of narrow interpretation" of the object of study. The authors applied the method of analyzing the peacekeeping operations of the PRC, as well as the interpretative analysis of statistical and political-legal documents in the sphere of regulation of peacekeeping activities. The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the causes of the conflict in Sudan and describes Beijing's role in its settlement, and analyzes China's economic and geopolitical interests in stabilizing the region. The significance of the article lies in the comprehensive analysis of the results of China's peacekeeping activities in Sudan. From a political point of view, it contributed to the strengthening of political ties. From an economic point of view, it contributed to the growth of bilateral trade and the increase of Chinese investment in the economy and infrastructure of Sudan. From the humanitarian point of view – implementation of food, educational and medical programs in order to improve the living standards of the population and mitigate the consequences of the conflict. From the international point of view – assistance to international peacekeeping and strengthening of international security. Overall, the authors of the article concluded that Chinese peacekeeping in Africa demonstrates a symbiosis of humanitarian goals and economic and political interests. On the one hand, China makes a significant contribution to stabilizing the region by providing resources, infrastructure projects, and diplomatic support. On the other hand, its actions are interpreted as part of a “soft power” strategy aimed at expanding influence and control over important resources.
World politics. 2025;(2):110-128
110-128