Explaining Countries’ Formal Engagement with the People’s Republic of China’s Digital Connectivity Plan: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis

Under what conditions do countries formally engage with the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) Digital Silk Road (DSR)? A Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) highlights two main findings: first, a comprehensive strategic partnership with the PRC, individually and in combination with China being a leading importer, is a necessary condition to explain countries’ formal commitment to DSR; second, as expected, no single condition turns out to be sufficient; rather, an interplay of several factors is required. The results point to the empirical importance (though not always sufficient) of the absence of an alternative foreign-backed initiative with other major powers, the existence of a comprehensive strategic partnership with the PRC, and its presence as a leading importer. This suggests that, in the absence of alternative connectivity plans, countries’ existing economic and strategic relationships with the PRC predispose them to formally engage in the DSR. This is particularly the case for Southeast Asian countries.
Keywords: digital connectivity plans; geoeconomics; qualitative comparative analysis; new economic statecraft