Duality of ASEAN Centrality: An Analysis from the Perspectives of Realism and Constructivism (5)

Lu De’an Zhang Yadong

【Abstract】The centrality of ASEAN has always been regarded as an important feature in promoting regional development.However, there are different views on the essence of ASEAN centrality.Based on the analysis from the perspectives of realism and constructivism, this paper argues that the centrality of ASEAN has an apparent duality.On the one hand, by building a regional multilateral cooperation framework and other measures, ASEAN reflects the structural characteristics of its centrality in regional power distribution.On the other hand, the strategic games of non-regional countries in Southeast Asia have shaped the centrality of ASEAN in regional relations, reflecting the conceptual characteristics of its centrality in the relationship network.The regional centrality of ASEAN is not only the result of the collective interest demands of ASEAN member states but also the strategic need for checks and balances among other countries in the region.However, in reality, the dual nature of ASEAN centrality is also facing structural challenges from within the region and conceptual challenges brought by the change of regional order.

【Key Words】ASEAN centrality, duality, structure, concept

【Authors】Lu Dean, Professor at the School of Marxism at Zhengzhou University, whose research interest is international politics; Zhang Yadong, Graduate Student at the School of Marxism, Zhengzhou University, whose research interest is Southeast Asian relations.

An Empirical Study on International Trade Flows from the Perspective of Linguistic Economics Based on the Data Analysis of G20 Countries (23)

Gao Yanan Ma Yunfeng Hu Shiwei

【Abstract】With the deepening of economic and trade cooperation worldwide, it is important to further investigate the factors affecting inter-country trade to expand bilateral trade flows and exploit the driving role of trade in the economy.Taking G20 as the research object, this paper uses the extended gravity model to empirically test the impact of a common spoken language, common mother tongue, common official language, and language proximity on international trade flows from the perspective of language economics.The findings are as follows: (1) Compared with the common spoken language and the common official language, the common native language plays a more significant role in promoting the export trade among G20 countries, and the language variables have an interactive effect on the export trade among G20 countries; (2) With the introduction of English proficiency as an indicator, the common mother tongue has a more significant role in promoting the export trade of G20 countries; (3) From the perspective of heterogeneity analysis, language exchange bonus plays a greater role in promoting export trade in low-income countries;(4) From the perspective of influence path, common language promotes foreign trade by reducing bilateral trade costs.Finally, this paper puts forward some suggestions for promoting trade interflow among G20 countries.

【Key Words】G20, language, international trade flows, Extended Gravity Model

【Authors】Gao Yanan, Graduate Student of Grade 2021, International Business School of Beijing Foreign Studies University, whose research focuses on international trade.Ma Yunfeng, Graduate student of Grade 2021, International Business School of Beijing Foreign Studies University, whose research focuses on international trade.Hu Shiwei, Ph.D.in Economics, Lecturer of International Business School, Beijing Foreign Studies University,whose research focuses on international economics, urban & regional economics, and development economics.

在進(jìn)行軟土路基處理中，可以運(yùn)用機(jī)械夯實(shí)和機(jī)械壓縮的方法壓實(shí)土壤，還可以通過打樁機(jī)振動(dòng)或沖擊人工填土或松散的砂性土，從而將土壤內(nèi)的填充材料變?yōu)闃扼w，同時(shí)，在擠壓周圍砂性土壤的同時(shí)，還可以達(dá)到振動(dòng)壓實(shí)周圍土壤的效果，進(jìn)而提升軟土密實(shí)度和土體的密度，不僅避免了地基發(fā)生不均勻沉降，還有效提升了路基土的穩(wěn)定性與承載力。

Research on EU Carbon Diplomacy from the Perspective of Leadership Types: Tools, Practices and Prospects (48)

Xu Ying Qin Zheng

【Abstract】Since the 1990’s, the EU has gradually formed a Carbon Diplomacy with EU ETS, CBAM and foreign aid as the main tools.By taking the lead in decarbonization,promoting unique carbon governance concepts and forming High Ambition Coalition with African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, the EU aims to pursue structural, cognitive,directional and instrumental carbon leadership globally and has made some remarkable achievements.However, the Russian-Ukrainian Crisis has directly hit the EU’s carbon diplomacy, with negative impacts on EU ETS, EU carbon market and CBAM.In this context, the EU has accelerated the shift to renewable energy, such as hydrogen and solar energy, to cope with its carbon leadership crisis.Still, the challenges of external dependence and competition among major powers mean that the road of EU carbon diplomacy underpinned by renewable energy will be long and challenging.

【Key Words】EU, Carbon Diplomacy, carbon leadership

【Authors】Xu Ying, Associate Professor, Deputy Dean of the Department of Diplomacy,School of International Studies, Renmin University of China, whose research focuses on China’s diplomacy, international organizations, international development, and European Studies；Qin Zheng, Graduate Student of the Department of Diplomacy, School of International Studies, Renmin University of China, whose research focuses on global climate governance and European studies.

Asymmetric Adjustment in Latin American Debt Crisis Governance(64)

Wang Da

【Key Words】 Latin America debt crisis, structural adjustment programs, asymmetric adjustments, governance failures

【Author】Wang Da, Doctoral Student at Beijing Foreign Studies University, whose research focuses on international political economy and global governance.

Absence of Recognition and the Limits of Repairing USEuropean Relations (80)

Zeng Xianghong Chen Mingxia

【Abstract】During the Trump administration, US-European relations experienced severe dysfunction.After taking office as president, Biden immediately sent out the signal to adjust the policy towards Europe and repair US-European relations.The Biden administration’s adjustment of US policy toward Europe mainly involves security guarantees, economic development, and normative dissemination, which are of concern to European countries.The Biden administration has responded more positively to the security, interests and norms concerns of European countries than Trump’s, which has resulted in a “warming” of USEuropean relations.At the same time, neither Trump nor Biden has responded positively to the growing recognition concerns of European countries that have become more prominent in recent years.Further, the consistent lack of recognition constitutes a key obstacle to the repair of the current US-European relations, which has effectively put a ceiling on US-European relations.US-European relations seem to have improved in the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.Still, the lack of recognition is a consistent problem, and its negative impact on current and future US-European relations cannot be ignored.

【Key Words】 US-European relations, struggle for recognition, absence of recognition,Russia-Ukraine conflict, China-US-Europe Triangle

【Authors】Zeng Xianghong, Professor at the Institute for Central Asia Studies, School of Politics and International Relations, Lanzhou University, whose research focuses on Central Asian affairs and Shanghai Cooperation Organization, international relation theory, etc.;Chen Mingxia, Ph.D.Candidate at the Center for Studies of Ethnic Groups in Northwest China-School of Politics and International Relations, Lanzhou University, whose research focuses on ethnic groups in the world and international politics.

India and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP)——An Analysis Based on the Trade Gravity Model and Global Value Chains (104)

Chen Benchang Li Kerui

【Abstract】At the Third Leaders’ Summit of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) in November 2019, India decided to withdraw from RCEP,which attracted extensive attention from scholars worldwide.Using two empirical methods of the stochastic frontier gravity model of trade and the explicit comparative advantage of global value chains, the authors find that: India has a significant trade potential with most of the RCEP member countries, and it seems that it is sensible for India to join RCEP.However, India has a huge trade deficit with most RCEP countries, and joining it will undoubtedly increase India’s trade deficit.Moreover, regarding the division of labor in the global value chains, India is at a competitive disadvantage compared with other RCEP member countries in the upstream of the value chains, including fields such as agriculture,manufacturing, and chemistry.In addition, India’s domestic political conservatism led to its eventual withdrawal.These are the reasons for India’s seemingly contradictory choice as regards most regional organizations.

【Key Words】India, RCEP, trade gravity model, global value chain, political conservatism

【Authors】Chen Benchang, Ph.D.in Economics, Professor of the School of International Economics and Politics, Liaoning University.whose research interests include development economics, institutional economics, Indian and Russian economy, international direct investment; Li Kerui, Graduate Student of Liaoning University, whose research focuses on comparative political economics.

Analysis on the Motives of Transnational Corporations to Adopt Economic-Sanction-Like Political Actions against Sovereign States—A Case Study on the Russia-Ukraine Conflict in 2022 (123)

Wang Bo Li Mohan

【Abstract】It is generally believed that the fundamental motive of political action of transnational corporations is the maximization of economic interests, while transnational corporations are not typically regarded as the subjects of sanctions in the traditional theory of economic sanctions.However, since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022, many transnational corporations headquartered in Western countries have resisted Russia’s military actions by stopping business or withdrawing investments from Russia.Thus,the political behavior of transnational corporations has taken on new characteristics similar to economic sanctions, which cannot be fully explained by existing theories.Based on the actual situation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, this paper suggests that the possible motives of the economic-sanction-like political action of the transnational corporations include: timely containment of economic losses, increase of intangible assets, and safeguarding economic interests; avoiding political risks from home governments; and maintaining the global spread of western neoliberal ideology.This paper also suggests that Western-based transnational corporations will play an increasing role in international politics.

【Key Words】transnational corporations, economic sanction, motive of political actions

【Authors】 Wang Bo, Ph.Din Law, Professor, Doctoral Supervisor, Deputy Dean of the School of International Development and Cooperation (SIDC), University of International Business and Economics, researcher of Beijing Institute of Opening Up and National Institute of Opening Up, Visiting Professor of Drake University.Postdoctoral Fellow of Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University (2008-2009), Research Fellow of the University of Leeds (2012-2018).His research interests include global governance,international environment, and energy policy (climate change policy), American politics and diplomacy, and Chinese politics and diplomacy.Li Mohan, Graduate Student at the School of International Relations, University of International Business and Economics.His research interest is China-US relations and global governance.

Heterogeneous Effects of Democratization on Government Quality: An Empirical Investigation of the Threshold of Urbanization (137)

Mao Yimin

【Abstract】Democratization is often expected to improve government quality.However,many countries saw a decline in the quality of government along with democratization.As a contextual factor, urbanization brings about the diversification and interdependence of group interests, and the fundamental change of social structure, thereby raising the social demand for democratic representation.In addition, it also strengthens communication and interaction among the public through the spatial agglomeration of social life, thereby fostering the civic capital needed for democratic life.This study empirically tests the threshold effect of the level of urbanization using data from 73 countries from 1996 to 2017.The results find that urbanization plays a threshold role in the relationship between democratization and government quality, with a threshold value of about 52%.Specifically, democratization can increase government quality when urbanization is higher than the threshold level.Still, it may lead to a decline in government quality when the urbanization rate is below the threshold.Therefore, it is necessary to promote urbanization to solidify the social foundation for the functioning of democratic institutions.

【Key Words】democratization, government quality, urbanization, threshold effects, panel threshold modeling

【Author】Mao Yimin, Ph.D.in Management, Associate Professor of the College of Public Administration, Zhejiang Gongshang University, whose research focuses on politics and regional governance.