Timor-Leste’s foreign policy options within China’s Belt and Road 2.0: a small state perspective

2025-01-05

Artigo publicado no jornal científico The Pacific Review

Ler o artigo completo:

https://doi.org/10.1080/09512748.2025.2608975

 

ABSTRACT

Within the intricate tapestry of global geopolitics, this paper critically explores Timor-Leste’s complex engagement with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), particularly in the context of the evolving BRI 2.0. Despite extensive scholarly attention on the BRI’s broader implications, a significant gap remains in under standing how small and resource-constrained states like Timor-Leste strategi cally leverage such initiatives to their advantage. The paper addresses this gap whilst attempting to answer the following research question: “To what extent does Timor-Leste’s 2017 BRI membership maximise its small state condition?”. It analyses Sino-Timorese relations and BRI 2.0 engagements from 2017 to 2025 through a qualitative case study, employing document analysis and expert interviews, underpinned by small state theory. The findings reveal Timor-Leste’s pragmatic and strategic balancing act. Not only it optimises development opportunities, but also bolsters regional standing by meticu lously weighing economic benefits against potential risks, ultimately enhancing its small state agency.

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