Impact of China’s Political and Economic Behaviors for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)

Abstract

The People’s Republic of China receives continual coverage in the popular press of its emerging super power status, and has been identified as a rising or emerging economic growth and military super power by academics and other experts. The emergence of China as an economic power has been noticed by many but not welcomed by all. Many see it as a challenge to their supremacy. But for others, China’s economic impact is beneficial. They see it as the center of a ‘virtuous trade cycle’ that is helpful to most developing economies in the region. China is affecting to South Asia both directly and indirectly. According to that, the main objective of this research is to determine whether China’s foreign policy is a threat to the South Asia and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. Therefore the main research problem is to find out how China’s foreign policy affect the regional stability and SAARC’s future. This is a qualitative study based on the conceptual framework of stratification. The data triangulation method is used to gather data form various secondary source such as published journal, articles, books and electronic documents. The existing theories are used to interpret data as for the world politics. SAARC’s aims to improve their member’s quality of life through accelerated economic growth, social progress and cultural development are not successful because of China’s involvement as a major power in the region. The domestic political analysis on many of South Asian countries provides the incentives for them to bandwagon with China for economic prosperity and certain countries like Sri Lanka indicated more inclination towards China to avoid the pressures coming from the western powers on issues pertaining to human rights and other humanitarian issues. This research concluded that there is no a clear way to reduce this interferences and its negative impact for the South Asia. As a major power, India and SAARC have not responded adequately towards China’s foreign policy towards the region.