China and Fragile Countries: Investment, Initiatives, and Impact?

Introduction 

China has emerged as a pivotal actor in global efforts to build stability in fragile contexts. Such contexts tend to have weak institutions, limited state capacity, high poverty, insecurity, and ongoing violent conflict. Historically, China’s foreign direct investment (FDI) into developing countries around the world, both before and after the announcement of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013 has included investments in fragile countries that were politically unstable. Indeed, these countries were the target of many Chinese investments during the “Going Out” period in the late 1990s and early 2000s. In parallel with economic investments, Chinese enterprises and non-governmental organizations have recently paid more attention to social and environmental impact (Mingey et al., 2023; Xiaoyang & Sun, 2016), in addition to peacebuilding efforts (Abb, 2018). Some have noted how fears about Chinese MNEs’ impact in fragile settings have been somewhat exaggerated (Pegg, 2012), while others point to complexity of the phenomenon and warn against over-simplification (Xiaoyang & Sun, 2016). While the debate on Chinese neo-colonial expansion is acknowledged by scholars, a balanced view of both positive and negative impacts on societies has led to a criticism that these accusations may have been too hasty (Chan & Edel, 2018). Indeed, evidence suggests that the investment environment for impact in fragile settings by Chinese enterprises is evolving fast (Mingey et al., 2023).

In terms of governmental power, China has increasingly played an important part geo-politically in fragile contexts, becoming more assertive (Alden & Large, 2013). Examples include the provision of peacekeepers to UN operations, such as in South Sudan, as well as funding for the UN’s peacekeeping missions (Yuan, 2022). As Yuan (2022: 1799) notes: “China now is the only actor worldwide making significant personnel and financial contributions to the UNPKOs at the same time”. China is now the 8th largest troop and police contributor of any country and the second largest financial supporter, providing nearly 19% of UN peacekeeping programme funding (UN Peacekeeping). This evolution is evidenced also by China’s proactive engagement in conflict mediation and launching high-level frameworks such as the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and Global Development Initiative (GDI), along with China’s position paper on the “UN’s New Agenda for Peace”. These government-led initiatives see development as a fundamental guarantor of peace (China, 2023).

In this context of corporate investments and government-level policy, scholars have noted fundamental differences in China’s perspective and approach fragile settings compared to the West’s. Some have claimed that China does not take a systematic approach (Wong & Li, 2021). Others have called for greater integration between aid agencies and China to prevent duplication (Zhou, 2019). However, scholars do note how China’s efforts can be seen as complementary and filling the voids left by the West (Wong & Li, 2021). The Chinese approach has been described as a ‘developmental peace’ paradigm (Abb, 2018), an approach growing in confidence and optimism (Alden & Large, 2013). As China’s international identity has expanded from a norm taker to a norm contributor, this developmental approach focuses more on addressing the economic drivers of conflicts than building institutions (He, 2021). However, it remains an open question about how this approach interacts with the existing international frameworks and what its impact on the ground entails.

This Special Issue aims to advance our understanding of China’s approach in fragile contexts, including social and environmental impacts and initiatives in developmental peace conducted by corporates, as well as by the government agencies. We intend to explore the diverse roles of Chinese actors such as Chinese governmental entities and State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), as well as entrepreneurial Privately-Owned Enterprises (POEs). We also seek to understand how Chinese initiatives for social impact are received, interpreted by relevant stakeholders, and how they fit within the broader international efforts in fragile settings. The Special Issue seeks both empirical and conceptual contributions, although case data and examples will be viewed positively.

List of topic areas

• Contexts: What are the types of contexts where Chinese organizations are active in social investments and initiatives for development and peace?
• Strategies and modes: How do Chinese enterprises, including State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and Privately-Owned Enterprises (POEs), function as agents of development, peace and stability? How do the strategies and activities of Chinese POEs differ compared to SOEs as far as these  activities are concerned?
• Collaborations and alliances: How do Chinese enterprises collaborate with non-Chinese organizations in fragile settings?
• Links to IGOs: How does China interact with Inter-Governmental Organizations (IGOs), such as the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), and Department of Peace Operations (DPO)? What role do IGOs play in facilitating social investment and initiatives by Chinese enterprises?
• Contrasts to Western models: To what extent do the actions and impact of Chinese organizations in fragile settings necessitate a redefinition of development initiative, and how does its meaning differ compared to Western notions, such as that of ‘liberal peace’?
• Local and hybrid models: Beyond the “liberal vs. developmental” paradigms comparison, how do Chinese practices in fragile settings interact with existing international and local frameworks? Are we witnessing the emergence of hybrid models in countries where both Chinese and Western countries are active?
   

Submissions Information

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Key deadlines

Opening date for manuscripts submissions: 19/07/2026
Closing date for manuscripts submission: 20/11/2026