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Governing aid from China through embedded informality

Institutional response to Chinese development aid in Laos

Bibliographic Data

ID7707929
AuthorsSunida Aroonpipat (Thammasat University, Thailand, corresponding author)
Year2018
Volume32
Issue1
Pages46-68
Publication date2018-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueChina Information (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0920-203X • E-ISSN: 1741-590X
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0920203x17730330
OpenAlexW2754428184
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited6

This study explores how Laos PDR has its adjusted institutional settings in response to China’s aid. The study argues that the donor-oriented approach is not sufficient to explain Chinese overseas development assistance (ODA) to Laos. An alternative explanation, using a recipient-oriented approach, is instead presented so that the divergence of necessity, development paths and norms, and attempts of the recipient country to change its institutional structure in response to the operation of the donor, can enhance understanding of the characteristics of Chinese aid to Laos. The study demonstrates that although Laos has attempted to systematically institutionalize the administration of ODA, the institutional configuration of Chinese ODA is informally embedded and based on flexible strategy, limited transparency, and personal relationships. Chinese ODA disbursements are open to negotiation, even if the purpose of ODA projects contradicts Chinese policy. The ODA framework developed by Laos is limited in transparency and depends on the preferences of donors. This study illustrates that personal relationships have affected the smooth implementation of projects. Such ‘embedded informality’ helps facilitate positive perceptions of high-ranking Laotian government officials towards Chinese ODA in terms of responsiveness to the latter country’s land link strategy, fast project approval periods, and high predictability of project approvals

Aid effectiveness · Business · China · Developing country · Economic growth · Economics · Government (linguistics · Negotiation · Political science · Transparency (behavior · Asian Geopolitics and Ethnography · International Development and Aid · Law · Peacebuilding and International Security

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  • Power asymmetry and threat points

    Yoon Ah Oh•Review of International Political…•2018

  • Will ‘Emerging Donors’ Change the Face of International Co‐operation?

    Open Access•Richard Manning•Development Policy Review•2006

  • A Norm-Taker or a Norm-Maker? Chinese aid in Southeast Asia

    James Reilly•Journal of Contemporary China•2011

  • Emerging Donors” from a Recipient Perspective

    Open Access•Jin Sato, Hiroaki Shiga et al.•World Development•2011

  • Development Assistance, Strategic Interests, and the China Factor in Japan's Role in Asean Integration

    Open Access•Hidetaka Yoshimatsu, Dennis D Trinidad•Japanese Journal of Political…•2010

  • Whose aid? Whose influence? China, emerging donors and the silent revolution in development assistance

    Open Access•Ngaire Woods•International Affairs•2008

Unique citing works4
Citations per year0,5
Citation span2018 - 2023 (6)
Citation velocityhistorical
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 4

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