China's Foreign Relations and the Survival of Autocracies

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The investigation focuses on China's emergence as a major power and its influence on non-democratic regimes in Asia. By examining its relationships with Cambodia, Burma, and Mongolia, the author reveals how China leverages opaque decision-making processes in autocratic governments to secure access to natural resources. The findings indicate that while high trade dependence on China can bolster the stability of autocratic leaders, other forms of engagement, like diplomatic ties or economic cooperation, do not offer the same benefits for regime survival.