The Relationship Dynamics Between China and the Smaller States: Field Study in Bangladesh

This research focuses on the dynamics of the relationship between China and smaller states in the Indo-Pacific region, which are increasingly becoming geopolitically important in the context of China's rise as a world power. This research aims to identify the domestic and international factors that influence these bilateral relations, with a particular focus on the agency of the smaller states. The seven case study countries are the Philippines, Laos, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Serbia, and Zambia.

Since its foundation in 1971, Bangladesh has traditionally followed a diplomatic policy of non-alignment and omnidirectional diplomacy. However, in the early years of its independence, "omnidirectional diplomacy" was not so much based on autonomy as the country did not have enough policy alternatives due to geopolitical constraints and limited national power as a new state.

Using the analytical framework developed by this research team, the team conducted intensive interviews to examine how Bangladesh, with the recent national economic development and drastic changes in the international political environment, is striving to build bilateral relations with bigger states.

The findings of this study determined that today's Bangladesh, aware of its own geopolitical position and the rivalries among bigger states over the country, is proactively choosing which countries to partner with depending on its priority agendas, such as infrastructure development, investment attraction, and military build-up. The results of the findings will be published in an academic journal next year.