Projects
The four cornerstones of research undertaken within Clingendael Asia Studies are projects in the fields of political economy, security, diplomacy, and energy in Asia. An overarching theme in all projects is relations between Europe and Asia – both at (sub)regional and country-level. The research projects result in publications, public and closed conferences, seminars, workshops, and lectures on topical issues related to one or more of these themes.
A brief description of the various projects is presented below.
1. Europe-Asia Relations
The dynamic developments and diversity in the Asian region offer Europe many opportunities for cooperation but also pose a major challenge. European countries and the European Union (EU) are becoming increasingly active in and towards Asia but many doubt if Europe is really ready for Asia’s rise. Critics point to Europe’s lack of strategic thinking and unified decisiveness and raise the question if a normative power can also be a strong and effective power. What is clear is that Europe needs to seriously rethink Asia’s growing role and influence in the world and develop a broader and more conducive Asia policy that seizes upon economic opportunities as well as contributes to global stability, good governance and sustainable development.
CAS research and conferences want to contribute to this field both directly as well as indirectly. An international conference on this theme was organized at Clingendael in May 2009.
More info conference: Click here
2. Economic Diplomacy in East Asia: theory and practice
This research project addresses the foreign policies of East Asian countries from an economic diplomacy perspective, involving diplomacy concerned with international economic policy questions as well as diplomacy which employs economic means in pursuit of foreign policy objectives. Special attention is given to Japan’s role and diplomacy in the region. Economic diplomacy covers a complex of instruments ranging from trade and investment promotion, negotiations towards regional trade agreements, development aid and sanctions, as well as summitry, regional cooperation, and (diplomatic) representation abroad.
The study of East Asian countries’ economic diplomacy, as well as of the concept itself, is motivated by three considerations. First, a better conceptualization of economic diplomacy – and its distinction from related concepts – helps to bring order in the definitional chaos, which obscures research and complicates practice. Second, more knowledge of economic diplomacy is required to address practical questions, such as how to deal with the artificial distinction between public and private. Finally, the theory and practice of economic diplomacy grows in importance due to shifting power balances. Relatively more than European countries and the United States, Asian countries use economic tools to strengthen their position in international politics. Analysis of on current challenges and opportunities of economic diplomacy contributes to an improved policy response both in terms of how to deal with specific countries and by strengthening our own economic diplomacy and embedding it in foreign policy at large.
Contact: Maaike Okano-Heijmans, research fellow CDSP
3. Asia and International Security
CAS research on this theme is aimed at great power relations and regional stability in Asia, and on the relevance of Asia for international security. The rise of China as a great power is a fundamental process both in Asian security and at the global level. Inside the Asian region, the security relationship between China and the United States is a key topic. Other regional themes are China-Japan and China-India relations, as well as the position regional organisations and forums (ASEAN, SCO, Six-Party Talks) in the context of great power relations. Regarding international security at the global level, CAS research focuses on China’s security relations with the United States and Europe, China’s role in global security management, and the relevance of China’s rise for stability in the developing world.
Contact: Frans Paul van der Putten, research fellow CSCP)
4. Diplomatic Strategies and Soft Power in Asia
China’s rise and increasingly active diplomacy are transforming the international landscape and are posing challenges to many parts of the world. The questions most often raised are whether China’s rise will be peaceful and whether China will further integrate into the international community. Part of the answers will depend on the international community’s attitude vis-à-vis China. Individual countries, the European Union (EU) and international organisations all need to adapt to this new situation and revise their diplomatic strategy towards China.
Research within this project is twofold: (1) it will analyse current developments in China’s diplomatic strategy and diplomatic decision making processes, including China’s use of soft power and public diplomacy; (2) it will look into the EU and European countries’ diplomacy towards China, thereby identifying opportunities and challenges for improving cooperation with China and encouraging China to become a responsible global player.
Contact: Ingrid d’Hooghe, research fellow CDSP
5. Energy
For more than a decade China experienced rapid economic growth. Accordingly, its consumption of fossil fuels is rising, while the country is increasingly dependent on oil and gas imports. Growing demand from China - and more recently from India - also affects other consuming countries. State-owned energy corporations and bilateral agreements are becoming important tools in international energy relations. This way of doing business diverts from what was expected of a "globalised" world in the 1990s. However, with countries like Russia and China gaining more economic bargaining power their approach to economic relations is wielding ever more influence on international in energy cooperation. How should European countries and the EU assess these developments?
Both China and India show an ever-increasing interest in African energy resources. Building upon their longstanding political relations with African countries, China's and India's economic influence on the continent is growing rapidly. How should European countries assess these geopolitical changes? How do these developments affect the diversification of our energy supplies?
From an environmental perspective, rising energy consumption in the booming Asian economies also raises concern. A major increase of greenhouse gas emissions in China and India will largely undo efforts by other industrialised countries to reduce these emissions. In which fields is cooperation between European and Asian countries advisable in order to come to an post-Kyoto agreement? Which alternative approaches are possible? Where will innovative technologies come from? Will Europe take the lead in developing new energy sources or will we import solutions from Asia?
Contact: Lucia van Geuns, deputy head CIEP