The Geopolitics of Sino-Portuguese Relations in the Pre- and Post-Pandemic Period
Necessity, Peak, and Erosion
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34624/txv5da72Keywords:
China, Covid, Chinese Belt and Road, Geopolitics, War in Ukraine, Portugal.Abstract
In this article we aim to assess the evolution of Sino-Portuguese relations in the pre- and post-Covid period. To this end, we will focus on the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), as it has provided a geopolitical boost to Sino-Portuguese relations. Indeed, the Portuguese case is even considered a case study in the European Union, given how well Portugal has welcomed the BRI. We will try to analyse the geopolitical impacts on Sino-Portuguese relations resulting not only from the pandemic, but also from the Chinese stance on the war in Ukraine. We intend to find out whether and to what extent the pandemic and the war in Ukraine may have contributed to a realignment of Portuguese foreign policy, moving it away from China and closer to the traditional position of the European Union and the United States.
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