Routledge Regionalism in China-Vietnam Relations: Institution-Building in the Greater Mekong Subregion: 19 (Routledge Contemporary Asia Series)

This book analyses collaboration in the Greater Mekong Subregion. It explores inter-state cooperation and the role of subnational units (provincial and local governments) and transnational actors (NGOs, firms) in building and maintaining the subregion. It also considers the relationships between actors on the three levels, their influences within the structures of decision-making in the GMS, their policy pronouncements and roles in the GMS. After exploring the historical background of cooperation in the GMS, the author discusses how far cooperation in the GMS has developed from the mere promotion of the national interest of individual states towards an institution as an independent actor able to influence relationships between its member states instead of only being influenced by them. Hensengerth scrutinises the nature of GMS cooperation and the character and capabilities of the institution of the GMS, exemplified by the bilateral relations between China and Vietnam. Here, the study will combine the analysis of subregionalism and institution-building in the GMS with an analysis of China-Vietnam relations by combining theoretical approaches to regional integration in the form of the regime approach with foreign policy analysis This book will appeal to academics within international relations, Southeast Asian regional and China or Vietnam country specialists. Review "The strength of the book is undoubtedly the parts dealing with collaborative attempts relating to the Mekong River and the GMS...The sections of the book dealing with the broader theoretical literature are solid and comprehensive." - Ramses Amer, Austrian Journal of South-East Asian Studies, 3(2) 2010 "This is a study of regionalism and sub-regionalism within a Southeast Asian context. The focus is upon the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) one of three of the Asian Development Bank’s post-Cold War defined ‘growth areas’ or ‘growth triangles’. This is a timely study of both an important but understudied geo-political notion (neo, new or micro regionalism) in addition to a crucially strategic geo-strategic area. Hensengerth is addressing this topic by examining China-Vietnam relations as the possibility stumbling block to cross in order to generate further regionalisation in the Mekong and more widely within ASEAN." - Ryan Hartley, Tohoku University, East Asia Integration Studies Vol. 9, no. 3. About the Author Oliver Hensengerth is a fellow at Chatham House, London. His research focuses on Chinese foreign and environmental policies, transboundary water cooperation, and regionalisation and international politics in the Mekong subregion.