ABSTRACT
Popular wisdom suggests that China's international influence has increased with its growing material capabilities in recent decades. However, researchers repeatedly demonstrate gaps between China's power and its influence. Building on earlier research, we propose an inclusive approach to conceptualizing China's international influence. Our approach conditions China's net influence on three dimensions. First, intentionality distinguishes between intentional influence-seeking and influence that accrues unintentionally. Second, a systematic treatment of Chinese and foreign intermediaries – the diverse set of sub-state actors operating overseas – is needed in order to expand the study of Chinese influence beyond state-level behavior. Finally, domestic institutions in host countries are essential conduits for conditioning how the behavior of Chinese actors, as well as group and individual reactions within host countries, are aggregated up to the policy level.
