Internationalization in Times of Uncertainty

This chapter aims to explore the uncertainties that the COVID-19 pandemic induced in internationalization. In this regard, the COVID-19 pandemic challenges companies worldwide as global value chains were interrupted and business models were contested. The theoretical background describes the internationalization processes and the specific role of foreign direct investments (FDI), but also the basics of uncertainty in doing business. Because of the scope of internationalization and the peculiarities of the COVID-19 pandemic, a descriptive analysis of secondary data from global databases was conducted. This includes macroeconomic data and also global research reports. With a focus on European-Asian relations, the results reveal an interruption in the flows of goods and services in Eurasia, but more importantly, also in FDI. Further on, there is a correlation between uncertainty and FDI flows. Finally, this chapter discusses future directions in internationalization, including resilience, regionalization, and the rise of China in global economics.

The Rise of China, Inc.

Leveraging its absolute power, low human rights advantage, and tolerance by other countries, the Chinese Communist Party has transformed China into a giant corporation. Living and working is not a right, but a privilege granted by the party. State-owned firms are business units or subsidiaries, private firms are joint ventures, and foreign firms are franchisees of the party. 'China, Inc.' enjoys the agility of a firm and the vast resources of a state. Meanwhile, foreign firms competing with Chinese firms can find themselves matched against the mighty Chinese state. The Rise of China, Inc. will interest many readers: it will compel business scholars to rethink state-firm relationships; assist multinational business practitioners in formulating effective strategies; aid policy-makers in countering China's expansion; and inform the public of the massive corporate organisation China has become, and how democracies can effectively deal with it.

AUKUS Pact in the Perspective of Security Dilemma

Indo-Pacific is one of strategic region with complex political interest because of huge area and many involved country including major countries such as China and United States. The increase of China’s power in the region caused security dilemma for other countries. United States is one of major power that feels threatened with the rise of China. United States have a lot of cooperation with other major countries and the newest one is trilateral cooperation with Australia and United Kingdom in AUKUS Pact. AUKUS Pact caused a different reaction from countries in Indo-Pacific region. In the perspective of security dilemma, AUKUS Pact is one of United States’s security dilemma because of the rise of China. The AUKUS Pact point is help Australia to have a nuclear submarines. AUKUS Pact is not an arms race but at some point AUKUS Pact can escalated arms race in Indo-Pacific region.

China-Europe Strategic Issues

Today, a shakeup of forces and a great power competition have begun on the global geopolitical scene. This competition is mainly due to the rise of China, the deepening of globalization and the interdependence of countries, and violent movements that transcend borders, such as international terrorism. In particular, the increase in China's national power has led to a change in the world order that emerged after the Cold War, and geopolitics is once again taking a central role on the global agenda. The geopolitical focus on the Asia-Indo-Pacific Ocean complex has evolved into a geostrategic rivalry where China is seen as the main threat. This approach is reflected in the international security strategy. In addition, it also manifests itself in the practices of international organizations led by the West forces. We see the most important example of this in the European Union's view of China.

Will the Rise of China Transform the International System?

In this article, the rise of China is discussed in the light of economic and military data, and what the challenge from China means for the global leadership of the U.S. is analyzed. Changes in the indicators of the U.S. and China’s economic and military power over the last 30-40 years are examined and an answer is sought for the following question: What will the consequences of China’s rise be in terms of the international political system? To answer this question, similar ‘rise and challenge’ precedents are discussed to contextualize and analyze and the present challenge China poses. This article concludes that while improving its global status, China has been taking the previous cases’ failed challenges into consideration. China, which does not want to repeat the mistakes made by Germany and the Soviet Union, is hesitant to pursue an aggressive military policy and tries to limit its rivalry with the U.S. in the economic area. While Chinese policy of avoiding direct conflict and focusing on economic development has made it the biggest economic rival of the U.S, the rise of China initiates the discussions about the end of the U.S. and West-led international system.

China’s quest for oil: Brazil-China relations in the oil sector (2000-2018)

The aim of this article is to examine the increasing relations between Brazil and China in the oil and gas sector. In a political and economic approach, the objective is to understand the development of relations between the two countries amid the rise of China as a major power and as the world's main energy consumption center, by identifying the growth of Chinese influence in the energy sector through trade, investment and finance.