The Economic And Political Logics Of Chinese State-Owned Enterprise Reform Since The 2013 Third Plenum
Abstract
In the 2013 Third Plenum of the Eighteenth Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee, China introduced plans to implement economic reforms to encourage market forces to play a more decisive role in Chinas economy. The governments actions following these announcements have lacked follow-through, and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have instead been consolidated and strengthened. What explains the state of SOE reform implementation in China since 2013? This thesis examines whether economic and political logics better explain SOE reform measures under Xi Jinpings leadership. The findings reveal that the economic logics behind avoiding meaningful reform of Chinas SOEs are mixed. SOE contributions to Chinas GDP are substantial, but they create a negative impact on economic growth. However, SOE leverage on global markets and their ability to supply material for the Belt and Road Initiative provides stronger evidence. Evidence in support of political logics reveals that SOE contributions to employment curb a potential resurgence of social discontent and preserve a bastion of the socialist market economy that justifies the CCPs dominance. Furthermore, SOEs have been leveraged to alleviate market shocks and act on behalf of the CCP in domestic and global theaters, providing a more persuasive explanation behind the state of SOE reform.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1165025
Entities
People
- Kristin Van Boxtel
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School