Yue Yang
Thesis title: China’s Pandemic Diplomacy: Evaluating COVID-19 Health Diplomacy, Geopolitical Implications, and Global Perception Reshaping
PhD supervisors:
Qualifications
BA in International Relations, Durham University
MA in International Relations in East Asia Studies, Durham University
Research summary
Sino-US relations; Chinese Politics; External Publicity and Soft Power; Nation Branding;
Project activity
Overview of the PhD project:
This research explores the shifts in global perceptions of China from late 2019 through 2023, a critical period marked by intensified geopolitical rivalries and health diplomacy. As the pandemic unfolded as one of the most catastrophic global health crises of the 21st century, this study investigates the impact of China's health diplomacy, particularly its vaccine diplomacy, on its geopolitical standing and image enhancement. The analysis focuses on how these diplomatic efforts have been perceived and received in different regions, especially in contexts where China has vested interests such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the promotion of the "Health Silk Road." Central to this study are the roles played by the pandemic in shaping global perceptions of China and the effectiveness of its vaccine diplomacy in improving these perceptions amidst geopolitical tensions, particularly with the U.S. The research questions address how the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced global views of China over the 2019–2023 period, the extent to which China’s health diplomacy initiatives like mask and vaccine distribution in Africa and Southeast Asia have affected its geopolitical standing, and how these perceptions align with China's broader geopolitical objectives.
The study combines a detailed analysis of China's strategic motivations behind its health diplomacy and its interaction with international health institutions like the World Health Organization. It also considers the geopolitical battleground these institutions have become amid the deteriorating Sino-U.S. relations, characterized by a blame game and politicization of health issues, which undermined global cooperation. Moreover, the research assesses the reception of Chinese health initiatives in regions with varying pre-existing political dynamics, such as the mistrust in Southeast Asia due to maritime disputes and the welcoming attitude in traditional ally regions like Africa. By situating China's health diplomacy within the larger frameworks of the BRI and global power shifts, this study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of China's attempts to use health diplomacy as a tool for geopolitical advantage during all phases of the pandemic. This includes evaluating whether these efforts have successfully modified global perceptions of China and identifying factors that have either supported or hindered China’s objectives during late 2019 to 2023. The research draws upon recent literature and case studies to present a comprehensive analysis of China’s health diplomacy strategies during the pandemic and their implications for international relations and global health governance.
Past project grants
AKS Workshop Grant by Scottish Centre for Korean Studies 2023
AKS Workshop Grant by Scottish Centre for Korean Studies 2024
Conference details
2021 Early Career Researchers and Graduate Students Conference, University of Edinburgh - Present
2024 Joint East Asian Studies Conference at University of Central Lancashire - Present
Invited speaker
Global South Network - PhD in Progress Online Weekly Seminar Series