ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses issues that are relevant to central-local interactions in China's foreign relations. It explains the changes that have taken place in central-local interactions in foreign affairs since the reform era. The chapter analyzes the changing balance of power between the central and local governments in external affairs and describes the growing activism in local government's foreign relations. It also analyzes the impact of, and prospects for, local government's participation in China's external relations. During Mao's era, Chinese foreign policy was monopolized by the top leaders. Economic gains from the decentralization policy during the reform era incentivized the local governments to take an active role in foreign economic activities. Local governments play a supplementary role in China's foreign policy by helping the central government to organize major diplomatic events. Many local governments are increasingly motivated to participate in foreign exchanges for the benefit of local economic development and also to expand their local culture and influence in the world.
