Mrs Asha Lanka1
1PhD Candidate, University of Auckland,, New Zealand
Biography:
Asha Thrishali is a doctoral candidate in Politics and International Relations at the University of Auckland. Her PhD research focuses on China's expansion through port politics focusing on port projects in Sri Lanka and Pakistan. She previously served as a visiting lecturer in the Department of International Relations at the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. She holds a master’s degree in Conflict and Peace Studies and a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the University of Colombo. Asha's research interests are based around Chinese politics, foreign policy, and Asia-Pacific studies.
Abstract:
China’s increasing influence in the Indian Ocean region has attracted significant scholarly attention, particularly regarding its port infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Through a series of economic investments in developing infrastructures, developing urban scales, social and cultural integration initiatives, technological advancement, and educational initiatives in port projects, China extends its influence beyond the ports themselves. The study aims to see how China influences its presence in the local context through its port projects, with a special focus on Colombo Port City in Sri Lanka. Existing literature highlights that China has advanced its economic and military capabilities and, through its port projects, seeks to extend its cultural and social influence. However, a research gap remains concerning China’s use of a soft power approach in its port initiatives. Applying the soft power theoretical framework, the study employs a qualitative case study methodology, analysing official documents as primary data and academic sources as secondary data. The findings argue that China leverages economic investments in infrastructure development and cultural and educational initiatives within its port projects to build soft power and strengthen its influence. The study contributes to fill a critical gap in understanding how China leverages non-coercive methods to extend its influence through ports in the Indian Ocean.
Keywords: China, Port Projects, Colombo Port City, Soft Power