ABSTRACT
Beijing adapts cross-regional diplomacy Even before the end of the Cold War, a great focus in the study of international relations was placed upon the development of regions rather than alliances, and the methods by which these regions established their own political, economic and strategic identity. This trend appeared to accelerate after the fall of the Soviet Union, as states which were closely tied to one superpower camp or another could now more directly engage their own neighbours and develop regional organisations more suited to local geopolitics. However, with the onset of globalisation and the ever-growing number of linkages via organisations, trade, laws and person-to-person connections ranging from government contacts to individuals, it has been argued that the world’s regions are growing more “porous” and often more difficult to differentiate. This is due not only to increased economic ties but also shared diplomatic and strategic concerns.1 As a result, much study in international relations is now being devoted to “cross-regional” diplomacy, which has been a common practice of superpowers and great powers but a facet of foreign policy which China has only recently embraced to any great degree.
