The political economy of vaccine distribution and China's Belt and Road Initiative. (March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vadlamannati, Krishna Chaitanya; Jung, Yoo Sun
• Is Part Of: Business and politics. Volume 25:Number 1(2023)
• Page Start: 67
• Page End: 88
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- vaccine diplomacy -- Belt and Road Initiative -- foreign direct investment -- China -- global health engagement; Business and politics -- Periodicals; Business planning -- Periodicals; Affaires et politique -- Périodiques; Entreprises -- Planification -- Périodiques; Business and politics; Business planning; Periodicals; 322.3
• DOI: 10.1017/bap.2022.26
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-5258

Abstract

Abstract: To what extent do national strategic interests influence countries' distribution of health assistance during a global health crisis? We examine China's global COVID-19 vaccine allocation, focusing on the relationship between its vaccine prioritization and its geopolitical expansion through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). We claim China uses its vaccine diplomacy as a comprehensive tool to promote its grand strategy and expand its global leadership and influence. Employing a newly available dataset on Chinese COVID-19 vaccine deliveries for a cross-section of 108 BRI member countries, our study shows that countries with foreign direct investment flows into BRI projects have received more vaccines from China. Our findings confirm that donor strategic concerns affect bilateral foreign assistance. Our results remain robust to several robustness checks, including endogeneity concerns.