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China’s Buddhist strategic narratives in Sri Lanka—benefits and Buddhism?

Rosendal Ebbesen, Tabita LU (2023) In The Pacific Review 36(6). p.1426-1455
Abstract
While the economic impact of China’s ‘Belt and Road’ Initiative (BRI) in Sri Lanka has been closely monitored in recent years, few studies have focused on the role of China’s Buddhist narratives in furthering the countries’ interests. By analyzing the Buddhist strategic narratives used in official Chinese and Sri Lankan statements, this article argues that under the BRI’s ‘people-to-people’ bonds, Chinese and Sri Lankan officials have used the Buddhist history and exchanges between the two nations to advocate for BRI projects, and to strengthen their cultural ties. This article finds, more narrowly, that China’s Buddhist diplomacy in Sri Lanka has increased since the BRI’s inception, and that it has focused on enhancing bilateral relations... (More)
While the economic impact of China’s ‘Belt and Road’ Initiative (BRI) in Sri Lanka has been closely monitored in recent years, few studies have focused on the role of China’s Buddhist narratives in furthering the countries’ interests. By analyzing the Buddhist strategic narratives used in official Chinese and Sri Lankan statements, this article argues that under the BRI’s ‘people-to-people’ bonds, Chinese and Sri Lankan officials have used the Buddhist history and exchanges between the two nations to advocate for BRI projects, and to strengthen their cultural ties. This article finds, more narrowly, that China’s Buddhist diplomacy in Sri Lanka has increased since the BRI’s inception, and that it has focused on enhancing bilateral relations and mitigating criticism of projects. China’s strategic narratives have been somewhat successful, but since they are employed alongside economic investments, their precise impact is difficult to measure. More broadly, the CCP is increasingly positioning itself and the BRI through religious strategic narratives to mitigate criticism and further its interests and stature in the international system. However, while China’s projection of Buddhist strategic narratives, in tandem with infrastructure investments, may ensure the BRI’s continued implementation, this depends on the willingness of host countries of accepting these narratives. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
China, Sri Lanka, Belt and Road Initiative, Religious diplomacy, Buddhism, strategic narratives
in
The Pacific Review
volume
36
issue
6
pages
30 pages
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • scopus:85138228920
ISSN
0951-2748
DOI
10.1080/09512748.2022.2120063
project
Fragmented Power: Contemporary Chinese Governance Practices of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
58efc4a2-d7a0-4f69-aaa1-cef6c293d5bd
date added to LUP
2022-09-10 12:19:22
date last changed
2024-01-09 15:47:59
@article{58efc4a2-d7a0-4f69-aaa1-cef6c293d5bd,
  abstract     = {{While the economic impact of China’s ‘Belt and Road’ Initiative (BRI) in Sri Lanka has been closely monitored in recent years, few studies have focused on the role of China’s Buddhist narratives in furthering the countries’ interests. By analyzing the Buddhist strategic narratives used in official Chinese and Sri Lankan statements, this article argues that under the BRI’s ‘people-to-people’ bonds, Chinese and Sri Lankan officials have used the Buddhist history and exchanges between the two nations to advocate for BRI projects, and to strengthen their cultural ties. This article finds, more narrowly, that China’s Buddhist diplomacy in Sri Lanka has increased since the BRI’s inception, and that it has focused on enhancing bilateral relations and mitigating criticism of projects. China’s strategic narratives have been somewhat successful, but since they are employed alongside economic investments, their precise impact is difficult to measure. More broadly, the CCP is increasingly positioning itself and the BRI through religious strategic narratives to mitigate criticism and further its interests and stature in the international system. However, while China’s projection of Buddhist strategic narratives, in tandem with infrastructure investments, may ensure the BRI’s continued implementation, this depends on the willingness of host countries of accepting these narratives.}},
  author       = {{Rosendal Ebbesen, Tabita}},
  issn         = {{0951-2748}},
  keywords     = {{China; Sri Lanka; Belt and Road Initiative; Religious diplomacy; Buddhism; strategic narratives}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{6}},
  pages        = {{1426--1455}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{The Pacific Review}},
  title        = {{China’s Buddhist strategic narratives in Sri Lanka—benefits and Buddhism?}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09512748.2022.2120063}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/09512748.2022.2120063}},
  volume       = {{36}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}