University of Macau / Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities / Department of Government and Public Administration

This study emphasizes the role of soft power in China’s relations with Africa. It attempts to explore and interpret China’s role in Africa from Joseph Nye’s perspective of soft power and Realism in general. China’s foreign policy is ideologically underpinned by nationalism. In the past two decades, it is based on the need to protect its national interest, by expanding trade and diplomatic relations. For this reason, China has expanded economic interest in Africa by means of mutual development and investment, economic cooperation and trade. This has led to the growth of ‘soft’ ties between China and Africa, through the provision of aid and diplomatic cooperation. By using ‘soft power’ as a vehicle to promote the perception of a peaceful rise to power, it also makes a valuable contribution to the Chinese goal of constructing a harmonious world. Based on the research, the conclusion is that China has achieved impressive gains in its overall level of soft power in Africa, especially in economic and political aspects of its relationship with Africa and less in its cultural penetrations. / Political Sciences / D. Litt. et Phil. (International Politics)

The topic of this master thesis are the EU FDI policies and their development specifically in the period 1999 - 2019. The aim of this master thesis is to answer the research question: "Why the European FDI policies have changed during 1999-2019?" In April 2019, a new regulation regarding a framework for screening of foreign direct investment in the European Union has passed. The process of screening should be applied in case a foreign direct investment would pose a threat to security or public order. The EU has been traditionally a promoter of the liberal trade and free movement of capital. Yet, the proposal presents a new tool in the FDI policy that can be seen as restrictive. In this thesis author analyzes what processes led to the introduction of this new framework. Following the theoretical framework regarding security concepts and evolution of new threats, the author elaborates on the first hypothesis that "It is possible to identify strengthening of the concept of security and more restrictive approach in the FDI policies of EU member states during 1999-2019" by analyzing the evolution of EU FDI policy and policies of Germany and France as ones of the biggest recipients of FDI in the EU. Furthermore, the author uses the theoretical framework of realism and international political economy to...

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由於氣候變遷對全球帶來不可回復的危害，並成為影響國家安全的重要因素之一，聯合國自1988年起成立「政府間氣候變遷專門委員會」並啟動氣候治理談判，陸續於1992年及1997年通過《聯合國氣候變遷綱要公約》與《京都議定書》兩項協議，是現今全球應對此議題主要的兩項機制，透過每年召開締約方會議的方式進行協商，促進各締約方達成共識，提升全球節能減排的執行成效。 美國與中國的溫室氣體排放量在全球排名前二名，是已開發國家與開發中國家中具影響力的大國，故對氣候治理的立場與政策，成為影響全球節能減排成效的關鍵。然而由於氣候變遷議題涉及政治、經濟及安全利益，因此兩國對聯合國氣候治理機制所規範的「共同但有區別的責任原則」與減排份額規範的遵守，有各自的利益考量，在應對氣候變遷議題上，有衝突與摩擦，也有合作與實踐。 在聯合國所主導的氣候變遷治理機制中，美國與中國呈現競爭關係，但若跳脫此一機制，兩國反而能運用雙邊的交流協商，例如高層會談、簽署協議及戰略與經濟對話等平臺，進行雙邊合作達到自主的節能減排目標。從多邊的聯合國氣候談判機制與雙邊的交流分析，未來美中在應對氣候變遷議題上，仍將是既競爭又合作的關係。如果美國與中國能將現有積極進行雙邊合作立場推進到多邊的國際談判，減少已開發國家與開發中國家對氣候治理立場的分歧，那麼將能在國際氣候談判機制中發揮領導作用，促進新氣候協議的達成，對全球應對氣候變遷有極大的助益。 / Global climate change which has caused irreversible harm and become one of the important factors that affect international security, the United Nations set up Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change （IPCC） in 1988 has held talks since then. After that United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change（UNFCCC）and Kyoto Protocol（KP）were passed in 1992 and 1997 respectively, which are the world’s two main mechanisms to promote and enhance the implementation of effective emission reduction. The United States and China’s greenhouse gas emissions are the top two in the world and represent developed countries and developing countries. Their attitudes and policies of climate governance have become the key to the effective reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions. However, due to climate change issues related to political, economic and security interests, diffefent views on “common but differentiated responsibilities” and “responsibilities for emission reductions” give rise to both conflict and cooperation between the two countries. In the United Nations-led climate change governance mechanisms, the United States holds a competitive relationship with China. But outside the mechanisms, their bilateral consultations, such as high-level talks, agreements and U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue （S&ED） help them achieve reduction targets. In the future, the U.S.-China relations on the climate change issue will continue to be both competitive and cooperative. If they can modify their stances through climate governance, it will be able to play a leadership role in international climate negotiations and promote the new climate agreement to solve global climate change issues effectvely.