TTLA: China-Laos Relations from 2000 to the Present

Author's name: Tran Thi Hai Yen

Dissertation Title: China-Laos Relations from 2000 to the Present

Dissertation field: International Studies

Major: International Relations Code: 62 31 02 06

Name of the postgraduate training unit: University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

1. Purpose and target audienceresearch of the thesis

- Purpose: To clarify the nature of the China-Laos relationship in order to understand the strategic calculations of the two countries in strengthening their relationship, and to clarify China's strategy towards small, developing countries through the case of Laos.

- Subject: The evolution of China-Laos relations

2. Research methods used

Methods of analysis, synthesis, and comparison; methods of foreign policy analysis; observation method; document research method; comparative method; impact analysis method; historical method; systems method.

3. Main results and conclusions

3.1. Main results

- This provides a theoretical framework for studying the relationship between large and small countries. The China-Laos relationship clearly demonstrates the characteristics of an asymmetrical relationship, with China taking the initiative and Laos being passive and subject to its control.

- After nearly 30 years of normalized relations, China-Laos relations have made significant progress in various fields, and have particularly seen a leap forward since the 2000s. In this relationship, economics is considered an effective tool, politics is seen as the goal, and security and defense, culture and society are indispensable complements. Therefore, economics is considered the most prominent area of ​​cooperation in China-Laos relations. From here, China and Laos have a basis to enhance comprehensive relations in other fields.

- The China-Laos relationship has had a certain impact on the relevant factors. China seems to be the factor receiving the most positive effects in this relationship, such as expanding its sphere of influence, multiplying economic benefits, and building an image of a responsible major power. However, it also faces "suspicion" from Laos, affecting strategic trust between the two sides. For Laos, besides positive impacts such as opportunities for economic development and increased geopolitical resources, the country is facing serious consequences from its dependence on China. Environmental degradation, resource depletion, public opposition, and especially the risk of political dependence are challenges facing Laos in its relationship with China.

- Although the China-Laos relationship contains the aforementioned bottlenecks, given China's increasingly deep and broad ties, Laos can hardly avoid the "attraction" of this regional superpower. Therefore, in the future, the China-Laos relationship may develop even further. Politically, China will strive to intervene more deeply in Laos' internal political affairs and influence its foreign policy. From there, it will gradually bring Laos into the "Beijing circle of consensus," becoming an important factor that can help China divide ASEAN unity and dominate the region according to its influence.

- For Vietnam, the progress in China-Laos relations, specifically the increasing influence of China in Laos, poses challenges to Vietnam and to the special Vietnam-Laos relationship. The risk of erosion of traditional Vietnam-Laos relations, as well as threats to Vietnam's border security and territorial integrity, is also being challenged as the Chinese influence in Laos continues to spread and intensify. All of this requires a more proactive and positive role from Vietnam in its relations with Laos, China, and the region to mitigate potential risks.

3.2. Conclusion

Relations between China and Laos have developed significantly since 2000. Starting with a focus on the economic sector, the relationship has now expanded to encompass all areas. The two countries upgraded their relationship to a "comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership" in 2009 and are expected to continue strengthening in the future. In this asymmetrical relationship, China plays a proactive role, while Laos has also leveraged China's strong resources for national development. However, given the repercussions Laos is currently facing, it is challenged to manage its relationship with China in order to avoid falling into political dependence on a regional superpower – China.    

SUMMARY OF DOCTORAL THESIS

The author's name: Tran Thi Hai Yen

Thesis title: China – Laos relationship from 2000s to present

Scientific branch of the thesis: International Studies

Major: International Relations Code: 62 31 02 06

The name of postgraduate training institution: University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University in Hanoi

1. Thesis purpose and objectives

- Purpose: To clarify the China-Laos relations in order to see the purpose of the two countries in terms of increasing their relations and clarify China's strategy to small, developing countries, case study - Laos.

- Objectives: The process of China-Laos relations

2. Research methods

Data collection and analysis, foreign policy analysis method, historical analysis, comparative method.

3. Major results and conclusions

3.1.The major results

- Provide a theoretical framework for the study of big country and small country relations. The relations between China and Laos clearly show the characteristics of an asymmetric relationship.

- Over the past 30 years of normalization of relations, the relations between China and Laos have made remarkable progress in all fields, especially from 2000s to present. In this, economics is considered as an effective tool, and politics as a goal and security - defense relationship, culture - society is an indispensable addition. Therefore, the economy is considered as the most prominent field in the relations between China and Laos. From here, China and Laos have a basis for increasing comprehensive relations in other fields.

- Sino-Lao relations have had some impact on the relevant factors. China seems to be the factor that has made the most positive impact in this relationship: expanding the influence, widening economic interests, creating a responsible image. However, the country is also facing the "suspicion" of Laos, affecting strategic trust between the two sides. For Laos, besides the positive effects of economic development, geopolitical gains, the country is facing serious consequences from its dependence on China. The ecological environment, the depletion of resources, the opposition of the people, and especially the risk of political dependence are the challenges posed to Laos in the relation with China.

- In the future, Sino-Lao relations will be able to be further developed. China will step by step put Laos into the “Beijing consensus”, become an important factor that can help China break the ASEAN unity and dominate the region by its influence.

- For Vietnam, the evolution of China-Laos relations, in particular the increasing influence of China in Laos, poses challenges for Vietnam and for the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos. All of this requires a more proactive and active role for Vietnam in its relations with Laos and with China in order to minimize the potential risks.

3.2.Revisions

- The relationship between China and Laos has been developed since 2000. Starting from a focus on the economic field, the current China-Laos relations have expanded in all areas. The relationship between the two countries has been upgraded to a “comprehensive strategic partnership” since 2009 and tends to continue to tighten relations in the coming years. With an asymmetrical relationship, China takes an active role in its relationship with Laos, and Laos has also enlisted China's strong resources to develop the country. However, with the implications that Laos is facing, it faces challenges in dealing with its relationship with China in order to avoid falling into the political dependence of a regional power - China.