China's Digital Silk Road
Abstract
China's Digital Silk Road (DSR) is a technology subset of the Belt and Road Initiative which represents a focal point of China's foreign policy. It aims to create markets for Chinese tech companies, establish international technological influence, and shape technical standards favoring Chinese data practices. This thesis employs two case studies to investigate factors influencing reception to the DSR. Analyzing the overall success of the BRI in Pakistan and Malaysia provides context for understanding similarities and differences in DSR reception patterns. This thesis finds that initial BRI success in Pakistan can be attributed to geopolitical ties and economic needs, but insecurity and debt problems have dramatically stalled progress. The DSR in Pakistan saw early and sustained success due to military influence in domestic politics and the general public's support of the initiative. In Malaysia, the BRI's reception was influenced by Sino-Malay relations, the need for investment, and a high-profile corruption scandal. When the corruption scandal surfaced, public backlash resulted in a foundational change in Malaysian domestic politics as well as opposition to Chinese BRI investment. The DSR found early success in Malaysia's booming digital economy, but reception waned as public sentiment toward China shifted, its political system became more democratic, and Malaysia undertook measures to diversify its technology investment, thus taking a more selective approach to the DSR.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1224759
Entities
People
- Patrick J. Miller
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School