Mutual Interests Research Articles

U.S. Energy Independence: Opportunities and Limitations

Climate change, the shale revolution, which allowed the United States to become a key exporter in international oil and gas markets, along with the introduction of renewable energy sources to replace traditional energy resources, are new integral factors in U.S. energy policy and influence its changes. The introduction of new technologies in the energy sector has given the United States the opportunity to increase oil and gas production, reduce its dependence on imports of hydrocarbon resources, and increase their exports. D. Trump's energy policy aimed for global energy dominance of the United States by increasing oil and gas production and exporting hydrocarbon resources to the EU and other regions of the world. On the one hand, allows us to conclude about the energy independence of the United States. However, on the other hand, the analysis of the debate about U.S. energy independence shows two different approaches to understanding the concept. The first approach follows from the fact that a state is energy independent if its energy system produces more than enough energy for its needs. The second suggests that the state does not import any energy at all. The author concludes that, today, the United States has technological and financial advantages that allow it to influence the global energy market. However, in the near future, the United States will not be able to become an energy independent state – that is to abandon oil and gas, despite the use of renewable energy sources. The U.S. energy industry is closely interconnected with the rest of the world: some energy resources still come from external international markets, and America is deeply integrated into the global economy, where the price of hydrocarbon resources is set on the international market. In conditions of mutual dependence, trade links many countries together and no single oil supplier can easily ensure compliance with their own interests or dictate the terms of trade. Nevertheless, interdependence and mutual interests of all actors in the energy market are able to help strengthen the energy security of a state.

Transformation of Pacific Regions in the Second Half of the 20th Century – Beginning of the 21st Century

The paper is devoted to transformation of international political regions in the Pacific. In the late 1960s to early 1970s the formation of the Indo-Pacific started as a consequences of US military and political activities and the intensification of bipolar confrontation. But an emphasis on military aspects at the expense of the economic ones as well as US foreign policy planning based on classical, smaller regions, weakened the unity of the Indo-Pacific space. The end of the Cold War and economic growth in East Asia turned Indian Ocen region into a periphery. Then, for 25 years, economic architecture of the Asian-Pacific, rather than its military-political framework, was at the core of US foreign policy interests. India, Japan, and China used the appeared vacuum to shape a common Indo-Pacific space in accordance with their perspectives. All three had economic foundations and military-political superstructures. In the 2010s, the USA reacted to China’s growth and suggested their own politically motivated version of the Indo-Pacific region, based on political-military presence and interaction later solidifying this in official strategies. So, the formation of the Indo-Pacific is related to space-based objective mutual interests and military and politically motivated regions.

THE INTEREST-BASED RELATIONS OF THE RULING ELITES AS THE DETERMINING MAIN VARIABLE IN U.S.-EGYPT RELATIONS

This study is based on the claim that the main determinant in US-Egypt relations during the Hosni Mubarak era (1981-2011) was the mutual interests of the power elites of both countries. The process that began at the political level between the two countries during the Sadat era evolved into economic and political relations between the political elites, gaining a social dimension during the Mubarak era. The relations between the power elites of the two countries have been influential in determining foreign policy relations. In this study, case analysis and process analysis research techniques have been utilized. The relations between the US and Egypt are evaluated according to the basic concepts of Neo-Gramscian theory, including material resources, institutions, ideology, historical bloc and dominant social classes. The hypothesis that the most decisive dynamic in the political determination between the US and Egypt are the mutual interest relationships and ideological alignments among the dominant social classes will be explained.

»Jugoslovanske meje so na Baltiku, poljske na Jadranu«: Jugoslavija, Poljska in jugoslovansko priznanje meje na Odri in Nisi

In September 1957, during a Polish delegation’s visit to Belgrade, the Yugoslav leadership recognised the Oder-Neisse line as the official Polish-German border. This decision was soon followed by the establishment of diplomatic relations between Yugoslavia and theGerman Democratic Republic. In response, the Federal Republic of Germany invoked the Hallstein Doctrine, resulting in a renewed escalation of tensions in Central Europe after a period of easing relations between East and West. This paper examines the involvement ofPolish diplomacy in the Yugoslav recognition of the Oder-Neisse line. Based on the Polish and Yugoslav foreign policy, Party, and media sources, it places Yugoslav support for Poland’s border issue within the broader context of Polish-Yugoslav relations and explores the course and consequences of this bilateral interaction. Employing a relational approach and the concept of international friendship, the paper illustrates how the cooperation between Poland and Yugoslavia advanced the individual and mutual interests of both states. It also explores how they affirmed their identities and roles on the global stage while striving to evade superpower dominance and shape their foreign policies.

Archaeological research at Kazan University in the context of Western European and North American archaeology

This article summarizes the history of archaeological research at Kazan University, from its establishment in 1804 to the present day. The first important milestone was in the 19th century when amateur collecting of artifacts and coins by the university professors in the early 1800s was replaced by professional archaeology, with the Society of Archaeology, History, and Ethnography founded in 1878 at Kazan University. The society published its own journal to raise awareness and foster curiosity, both locally and internationally, about archaeological discoveries in the Kazan Governorate and the surrounding territories. From the late 19th to the early 20th century, a fruitful cooperation developed between Russian archaeologists and Finnish scholars, which lasted until the 1930s and centered in their mutual interests revolving around the Ananyino culture and the origins of the Finno-Ugric peoples. In the aftermath of World War II, the university archaeological team took part in many projects: exploratory surveys for the construction of the Kuybyshev Hydroelectric Station (late 1940s–early 1950s), excavations of the early Bulgarian burials and proto-Bulgarian sites (1950s–early 1960s), unearthing of the Bilär settlement (late 1960s–1980s), fieldwork at the ancient Hungarian Bolshie Tigany burial and in Kazan (1974–1978). In the 1960s–1980s, foreign collaborations were limited to socialist countries (Bulgaria, Hungary), which kept the focus of their scholarly attention on the eastern regions. However, the intensive contacts with Finnish archaeologists continued. Starting from the 1990s–2000s, the results of archaeological research in Tatarstan finally became accessible to Western European and US scholars, who then relied on them to navigate their studies on the history of Islam and Islamization in Europe, sedentarization of nomads, and medieval trade. Now, the archaeology at Kazan University has advanced to a new stage by covering a much broader geographical scope and incorporating the latest technology into archaeological practices.

Colonialism and Local Elites: Lyautey's Colonial Experience in Morocco as a Case Study

This article presents a thorough analysis of the dynamics that developed between the Moroccan makhzen elites and the French Resident General Hubert Lyautey during the period of the French protectorate in Morocco (1912–1956). The article examines how Lyautey, by employing carefully crafted strategies, effectively utilized the Moroccan elite as a pivotal tool for strengthening colonial dominance, all the while preserving the traditional and social values inherent in Morocco. The makhzen elites represent a pivotal component of the traditional Moroccan framework, having wielded considerable administrative and religious authority before the advent of the protectorate, thus justifying their prominent role in this analysis. The article suggests that these elites stood at a crucial juncture, where they had to decide between opposing French dominance and collaborating with the colonial administration to preserve their status and privileges. Lyautey upheld the conventional social and political structure, leveraging this context to advance the execution of colonial policies. As a result, a considerable portion of them chose to engage in collaboration. The article highlighted the "dual cooperation policy" that Lyautey put into practice. He upheld various conventional administrative frameworks, such as the Sharia judiciary and the Emirate of the Faithful, thus presenting himself as a guardian of authentic Moroccan values. This approach ensured the relative stability of the country during that period by striking a delicate equilibrium between the enforcement of French authority and the maintenance of the traditional Moroccan regime's outward appearance. The article says that the makhzen elites weren't just tools of colonial power; instead, they showed that they could negotiate to protect their own interests in a colonial setting. In this light, it's clear that Lyautey’s relationship with these elites was more than just dependence; it was a complex one characterised by mutual interests that overlapped. This research reveals a deep understanding of the complexities of power within the context of colonialism, illustrating how France leveraged local traditional forces to bolster its colonial endeavours while refraining from dismantling or supplanting them. This methodology played a significant role in shaping the distinctive identity of the French colonisation in Morocco.

The Prenuptial Agreement of Business Spouses: Guarantees of Respect for Mutual Interests and Protection of the Rights of the Parties

Introduction: in the light of modern socio-economic realities, an urgent problem is the effective protection of the property interests and rights of spouses who own a family business. The conclusion of a prenuptial agreement provides spouses who have a family business and are parties to the prenuptial agreement with the opportunity to reduce financial risks and provide themselves with additional legal protection in the event of termination of the marital relationship. The inclusion of legally verified contractual structures in a prenuptial agreement is very effective in preventing future conflicts between spouses who own a joint business. Purpose: to reveal the legal content of the prenuptial agreement concluded between spouses who own a joint business in the system of contractual structures and to develop recommendations for improving the contractual regulation. Objectives: to identify conflicts related to the legal guarantees of respect for mutual interests of spouses who have a family business and are parties to a prenuptial agreement; to identify contractual structures used to minimize conflicts between the subjects of a prenuptial agreement; and to develop a conceptual model for concluding a prenuptial agreement between spouses who own a joint business remotely via the Internet. Methods: the methodological framework for the research is based on the general scientific methods: systematic analysis, abstraction, and the dialectical method, as well as a set of specific scientific methods: structural and functional, formal legal, comparative law, forecasting, and modeling. Results: it is proposed to amend Art. 11 of Federal Law No. 193-FZ dated July 27, 2010, “On an Alternative Dispute Settlement Procedure with the Participation of an Intermediary (Mediation Procedure),” supplementing its paragraph 8; in the context of the effective implementation of the concept of “Electronic State,” the Federal Notary Chamber it is proposed to develop, test, and implement a virtual assistant based on artificial intelligence technologies, which will function not only on the Federal Notary Chamber website but also on the online resources of the notary chambers of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Conclusions: it is recommended to normalize the mediation procedure for spouses who have a family business and are parties to a prenuptial agreement through information and communication technologies; as part of the implementation of the concept of “Electronic State,” the Federal Notary Chamber should develop, test, and implement a virtual assistant (“chatbot”) based on artificial intelligence, which will be available not only on the Federal Notary Chamber website but also on the websites of notary chambers of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, and at the request of users, including spouses who have a joint family business, it will perform an advisory function when drafting a prenuptial agreement.

Energy Transition in Northern Netherlands: seeking a balance between top-down and bottom-up initiatives

This brief report focuses on top-down and bottom-up processes within the field of energy transition. It aims at gaining a better understanding of the needs of the local energy initiatives. On this basis, policy recommendations are formulated to help the municipality of Groningen to facilitate local energy initiatives, ultimately leading to a more balanced approach of the local energy transition. Thus, this study explored the (mutual) interests, barriers and expectations of the municipality and local citizen initiatives. The theoretical framework is the implementation analysis framework, distinguishing top-down and bottom-up approaches. Specifically, this qualitative (thematic analysis) research study investigates the mismatch in expectations between a number of local energy initiatives and the municipality of Groningen regarding their roles within the local energy transition context. To this end, semi-structured interviews have been conducted with members of the municipality of Groningen, Grunneger Power (a local energy intermediary), and four local energy initiatives. Need and expectation gaps have been identified and potential solutions have been explored. The main findings of the study illustrate the need of professional support for citizen initiatives, at both technical and organizational level, especially in the first phases of their development. Additionally, clear mutual communication on short and long-term planning and ambitions of the involved parties is of key importance for the alignment of the interests and the course of actions. Consequently, a clear context is needed, within which an exchange of feedback on the envisioned strategies, and the subsequent energy saving or generation interventions, can take place in an efficient and effective way. Additionally, such a context increases confidence and provides a clear understanding to the citizen initiatives regarding their role and the level and nature of support they can expect in their intended projects and activities. Based on these findings, policy implications have been drawn.

A novel model for rural household photovoltaic market trading: Utilizing cooperative alliances within a peer-to-peer framework

In the face of diminishing traditional subsidy models and the constraints of grid-dependent transactions, this study explores trading models as a catalyst for rural electrification and sustainable development in China. Highlighting the emergence of rural photovoltaic (PV) prosumers, we propose trading models through cooperative alliances to facilitate market engagement within a peer-to-peer (P2P) framework. By applying the Shapley value for the equitable distribution of internal revenues, the study elucidates the complex interrelations between rural prosumers and the electrical grid, fostering a better understanding of their mutual interests. Further, we introduce a dynamic game-theoretic model to investigate the evolving market behaviors under diverse strategic influences among rural prosumer groups and the grid. Using numerical simulations based on real-world data from Shanghang County, Fujian Province, we analyze surplus and deficit electricity production scenarios within these alliances. The findings underscore the effectiveness of the cooperative alliance trading model in aligning individual, collective, and societal benefits. This comparative analysis of strategic outcomes validates the model's feasibility and role in advancing sustainable rural electrification strategies.

Envoy Trade and the End of the Tribute Relationship between Vietnam and China, 1802–1885

ABSTRACT This article analyses the commercial activities between Vietnam and China that were conducted by diplomatic envoys (ambassadors) in the 19th century, focusing on three aspects: those that envoys coordinated during tribute missions or diplomatic visits, the trade that they facilitated in the form of buying and selling goods in the other country, and the commerce that occurred when envoys escorted distressed or expelled travellers back to their home country. The analysis reveals that the trade conducted by ambassadors through most of the century was a two-way commercial exchange and driven by mutual interests. However, China’s demand for foreign goods was significantly less pronounced than that of Vietnam. Furthermore, there was a notable degree of asymmetry in benefits and an unequal level of control and influence in this form of trade. This asymmetry, along with the increasingly diverse forms of exchange between China and other countries (especially the growth of private trade) and the expanding role of Western merchants in the regional trade network, eventually ended the dominance of ambassadorial trade in commercial relations between Vietnam and China by the late 19th century. It also contributed to the end of the centuries-long tributary relationship between the two countries.

Regional Approach to Boosting Local Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Capacity: A Critique of the East African Community Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan of Action

Abstract The East African Community (EAC) has had a chequered history, evidenced by multiple changes of names and objectives, and a hiatus lasting more than two decades following a collapse in 1977. It was resuscitated in 1999 by its founding members (Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya). That four other partner states have since joined is a clear testament to the effectiveness of its overhaul. The community is regulated by the EAC Treaty which promotes collective actions in several areas of mutual interests. Plagued by an ongoing access-to-medicines conundrum, EAC governments have considered collective action as recommended by the Treaty. This effort began around the 2010s when policy measures aimed at exploring collective solutions were adopted with a view to replacing reliance on importation and external drug donation with a gradually developed regional pharmaceutical production capacity. EAC policies such as the Policy/Protocol on TRIPS Flexibilities, the Medicines Registration Harmonisation Initiative, the Draft Anti-Counterfeit Policy, and a Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan of Action (EAC PMP) have since been developed to achieve this ambitious goal. Using both doctrinal and empirical (semi-structured interviews) methods, this paper examines the EAC PMP – the ‘be all’ of the policies. The priority actions outlined under the plan’s six pillars and presented as a bankable pathway to self-sufficiency in pharmaceutical production are critiqued. The paper finds considerable implementation of the drug harmonisation theme, while the others (leveraging TRIPS flexibilities, ensuring coherence, and boosting research and development and technology transfer) remain largely unimplemented.

An Application of Welfare Game Theory on Discussing the Reactions between Ukraine and US-NATO in the Russia-Ukraine War

<p>The Russia-Ukraine war broke out on February 24, 2022, shaking the international community. To understand the behavior of both Russia and Ukraine in this war, as well as how military and economic aid from the United States, the European Union, and NATO influences Ukraine’s actions, this paper explores the interaction between Ukraine and the U.S.-EU alliance through the viewpoint of welfare game theory. The discussion focuses on how these interactions affect the progress of the Russia-Ukraine war. International political and military activities are based on national interests. The U.S.-EU alliance’s support for Ukraine in resisting the Russian invasion must consider the mutual interests, losses, and related conditions between the U.S., EU, and Ukraine.</p> <p> </p>

A Legal Analysis of the Unilateral Termination of Labor Contracts and Noteworthy Points for Mitigating Related Disputes

The Labor Code of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam was first promulgated in 1994 and was subsequently revised in 2002, 2006, and 2007. The economic and social conditions and labor relations have evolved, necessitating prompt amendments to labor legislation, resulting in the issuance of the Labor Code 2012. However, after five years of application, the 2012 Labor Code has revealed many deficiencies affecting employees' legal rights and interests, including the conditions that employees must meet when they wish to unilaterally terminate the labor contract; these conditions are considered very difficult to prove in the position of an employee. The Labor Code 2019 was enacted with several enhancements, including the elimination of regulations pertaining to unilateral conditions for employees, thereby safeguarding their right to select better employment opportunities and preventing and combating coerced labor. In this article, the author analyzes current law on unilateral termination of labor contracts, focusing on the legal aspect, and selects some common dispute practices related to unilateral termination of labor contracts that businesses and individuals should be aware of to protect their mutual legal rights and interests, as well as those of both parties.

أثر أنماط القيادة الإدارية على أداء المشاريع: دراسة تطبيقية على المشاريع الإنشائية بمدينة الرياض

The study aimed to identify the impact of administrative leadership styles on project performance in construction projects in Riyadh. A simple random sample of (280) individuals was selected from the study community. The researcher distributed (280) questionnaires to these companies, and (250) questionnaires were retrieved, i.e. (89%) of the original distributed ones. (38) questionnaires were excluded for not meeting the conditions, including not filling out the questionnaire correctly, or a shortage in the number of questionnaire sheets. Accordingly, the number of retrieved questionnaires that were analyzed amounted to (212) questionnaires, representing (77%) of the distributed questionnaires. The study adopted the descriptive analytical approach. The results of the study concluded that there is a positive impact of administrative leadership styles (transformational and exchange) on project performance in construction projects in Riyadh, and that the most influential administrative leadership styles are the transformational leadership style, followed by the exchange leadership style, while no effect was shown for the free leadership style. The study recommended the need to focus on positive communication between the leader and the subordinate and to meet their logical and friendly needs based on love and belonging to common and mutual interests only, and to develop the skills of subordinates, whether leadership or otherwise, in exchanging ideas, adopting suggestions and participating in logical discussion.

A model of academic-practice collaboration for facilitating informatics capacity and building a learning health system framework in public health.

The data modernization initiative (DMI) is a multi-year, multi-billion-dollar endeavor toward a robust public health information infrastructure. The various DMI projects (interoperability, analytics, workforce, governance) present an opportunity for a learning health system (LHS) framework in public health. The objective is to share an academic-practice partnership model between the University of Minnesota (UMN) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) in advancing public health informatics (PHI) and its relationship to an LHS model. The UMN-MDH partnership was conceptualized in 2018 as a 1-year pilot with annual renewals through a time/cost-sharing faculty position with PHI expertise. The partnership focus was decided based on MDH's needs and mutual interests, with the core collaborating faculty (SR) being an embedded researcher at MDH. Responsibilities included supporting electronic case reporting (eCR), interoperability projects, and assisting MDH staff with PHI presentations/publications. The partnership has expanded to PHI workforce development through a national grant and now includes an interest in applying the LHS framework to MDH-DMI work. The MDH-DMI team has embarked upon 13 projects for assessment through an LHS approach: systems interoperability projects between MDH and healthcare/local public health (n = 6); systems modernization for MDH programs (n = 5); informatics workforce development (n = 1); and program governance (n = 1). Each project has been evaluated and/or has current/future assessment plans to synthesize learnings and create a feedback loop for iterative improvement. The partnership has been mutually beneficial as it met agreed upon metrics across both institutions. The program's productivity is showcased with shared authorship in 10 peer-reviewed proceedings/publications, 22 presentations and 16 posters across local/national conferences. The current case report of the UMN-MDH partnership is a relatively recent exemplar to support tangible LHS demonstration in public health. Building LHS momentum at MDH and other public health entities will require LHS champion(s) and continued academic collaboration.

‘A dangerous and exhausting struggle’: Hunting the devil fish of coastal North and South Carolina from the colonial era to the early decades of the 1900s

Scientists, hunters and business entrepreneurs in the Carolinas all had mutual interests in giant manta rays ( Mobula birostris) during the early decades of the 1900s. Eastern-seaboard coastal communities called them devil fish, because of the horn-shaped fins on their head. Although the Ocean Leather Company in Morehead City primarily processed shark-skin leather, it also experimented with the skins of rays and other sea animals for the manufacture of a great variety of consumer products. Articles were written for scientific journals and ray specimens were contributed to national institutions like the American Museum of Natural History. Local fishermen, along with celebrities like the US president, Teddy Roosevelt, harpooned devil fish in Cape Lookout while marvelling at their grace and strength, breaching up to six feet above the water's surface. Beaufort planter William Elliott presented many accounts of this fantastic sea creature, with vivid stories of enslaved African harpooners jumping off boats onto the backs of giant manta rays. This research combines historical accounts and images, newspaper advertisements and talks at local explorer clubs to illustrate case studies of the community's obsession with collecting, cooking, hunting and conquering rays as an important component of maritime leisure and environmental history. It concludes by addressing international examples of subsistence, recreational and industrial fishing, and its impacts on manta rays.

Analysing perspectives on capital, mutual, and general interest: A comparative study of energy cooperatives in Belgium and in Italy

Renewable energy cooperatives (RECs) play a pivotal role in advancing a new energy paradigm that prioritizes equity and inclusivity. However, there is often ambiguity regarding their potential since their core principle of functioning revolves around serving the mutual interests of their members by providing energy services rather than addressing general- interest missions. Moreover, RECs still operate as businesses that are economically viable and appealing, thereby attracting the influence of financial interests. In this context, balancing the tripartite spectrum of interests, namely capital, mutual, and general, can be complex.To gain a deeper understanding, we conducted a survey among 5402 members of two RECs, namely Ecopower in Belgium and ènostra in Italy, complemented by 20 semi-structured interviews. Our findings indicate that members have mixed feelings about assuming general- interest missions, such as fighting against energy poverty, which do not always align with those of their boards. We also note significant differences between the two RECs, which can be attributed to the distinct contexts in which they operate and their varying stages of maturity. We conclude by discussing the importance of scaling up and the need to adopt a more collaborative approach between the public and third sector to address the complexities of social issues.

Energy Transition in Northern Netherlands: seeking a balance between top-down and bottom-up initiatives

This study focuses on top-down and bottom-up processes within the field of energy transition. It aims at gaining insights into the ways that a more balanced approach can be achieved, by taking into consideration the (mutual) interests, barriers and expectations of the municipality and local citizen initiatives. The theoretical framework of the study is the implementation analysis framework, distinguishing top-down and bottom-up approaches. Specifically, this qualitative (thematic analysis) research study investigates the mismatch in expectations between a number of local energy initiatives and the municipality of Groningen regarding their roles within the local energy transition context. To this end, semi-structured interviews have been conducted with members of the municipality of Groningen, Grunneger Power (a local energy intermediary), and four local energy initiatives. Need and expectation gaps have been identified and potential solutions have been explored. The main findings of the study illustrate the need of professional support for citizen initiatives, at both technical and organizational level, especially in the first phases of their development. Additionally, clear mutual communication on short and long-term planning and ambitions of the involved parties is of key importance for the alignment of the interests and the course of actions. Consequently, a clear context is needed, within which an exchange of feedback on the envisioned strategies, and the subsequent energy saving or generation interventions, can take place in an efficient and effective way. Additionally, such a context increases confidence and provides a clear understanding to the citizen initiatives regarding their role and the level and nature of support they can expect in their intended projects and activities. Based on these findings, policy implications have been drawn.

Joint City: cross-border planning diffusion, local elites, and planning practices – case studies of Kouang-Tchéou-Wan and Swatow, 1898–1945

ABSTRACT This comparative study on urban planning in Kouang-Tchéou-Wan (Guangzhou Wan) and Swatow (Shantou) in the first half of the twentieth century can offer insights into the dialogue between colonial and historic cities. Kouang-Tchéou-Wan and Swatow are cities that features ‘collaboration’ – between the government and local elites in urban modernization. This collaboration significantly impacted the adaptation and expression of urban planning in new temporal and spatial environments. The collaboration occurred in ‘underdeveloped public domains’, including public institutions and spaces. This study confidently offers the following conclusions. First, negotiation plays an essential role in ‘collaboration’: the Municipal Council is identified as the primary organization responsible for negotiations; realism, project feasibility, and mutual interests are the main themes of these negotiations. Second, ‘collaboration’ can create irreconcilable contradictions in the landscape, which can be seen as the result of specific historical contexts: the struggle for discourse in public spaces and the transition from spatial zoning to new class categorizations. This study further discusses necessary conditions for a dialogue between colonial and historical cities: being at a similar ‘nation-locality’ transformation stage, such as decentralization from the state to the localities; close communication within regional societies; similar local social environments and urban development foundations.

Opportunities and Challenges of China’s Economic and Political Development Under the Third Term of Xi Leadership: A Viewpoint of Thailand

This article aims to look into Thai-Chinese relations during Xi Jinping’s third term in office, focusing on political and economic dynamics within the framework of geopolitics and geo-economics amidst international tensions, especially between China and the United States. These tensions present both challenges and opportunities to Thailand in its relations with China. Thailand acknowledges security challenges posed by China, particularly in nontraditional security realms such as grey capital (shady business). Despite these challenges, both the Thai government and its populace, including merchants and businessmen, view cooperation with China in positive light. The collaboration between the two nations under various initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), ASEAN + 1, GMS, and ACMECS underscores a strategic shift toward prioritizing shared interests and regional cooperation. The historical relationship between Thailand and China, at both governmental and regional levels, remained pivotal in fostering bilateral ties. Additionally, Thailand not sharing borders with China minimizes conflict compared to neighboring ASEAN countries with territorial disputes with China, particularly in the South China Sea. In the context of Xi Jinping’s Chinese Dream and Thailand’s strategic choices, actions are taken by the Thai Government to maintain balance between global superpowers, capitalizing on economic opportunities while mitigating security risks. Thailand’s security posture, especially in nontraditional realms, and cooperation across various sectors are expected to deepen in the future, driven by mutual interests within the framework of regional geopolitics and geo-economics.