B1959 - LA CINA COMUNISTA E L'AREA MEDITERRANEA

Learning outcomes

The course retraces China's historical-political development in the contemporary era, both in its pertinent geopolitical context and in the interaction with other political-economic regions, emphasizing the economic and cultural interests tying China with the Mediterranean region. At the end of the course, students will gain fundamental knowledge of the historical, economic and cultural factors relating to China and its presence in the Mediterranean. The course builds up students’ ability to examine the evolution of the Sino-Mediterranean relationship from a diachronic perspective through the methodology of historical research. Finally, the course focuses on the critical evaluation of sources in order for students to navigate the specialized bibliography profitably.

Course contents

The course aims to provide the tools for understanding Chinese foreign policy and its development in contemporary times. By reconstructing the main international political processes involving China since the foundation of the People's Republic in 1949, the course sheds light on the continuity and discontinuity of the country's foreign policy. Against this backdrop, the methodological elements informing the identity of the Chinese approach to global affairs are identified, focusing particularly on the main interests and objectives, the diplomatic vision and its implementation, and the institutional actors involved. Building upon these historical and methodological foundations, Beijing’s political history is examined against the backdrop of the main international processes involving China.

 

At a later stage, the course examines the relations between China and the Mediterranean region, unpacking principles and methods of the Chinese international approach and examining how they are implemented in China’s relationship with the Mediterranean. Firstly, these relations are understood from a historical perspective, and are subsequently examined in light of the diplomatic, economic and strategic interests underlying and determining China-Mediterranean ties. In this context, political, economic, social and cultural peculiarities pertaining to the regions of the Mediterranean area – the Balkan Peninsula, MENA countries, Southern Europe – are taken into account.

 

Eventually, the course addresses the key aspects of Sino-Mediterranean relations in contemporary times, examining cooperation experiences, challenges and critical factors. In this context, Italy’s involvement in the Belt and Road Initiative acts as a case study to briefly illustrate the intersections including challenges and opportunities that inform China-Italy relations.

Readings/Bibliography

La Cina rossa. Storia del Partito comunista cinese 
Guido Samarani, Sofia Graziani 
Edizioni Laterza, 2023 
(Parts 2, 3, Conclusions — pp. 115-295).

Non-attending students are required to integrate the study of the textbook with the following readings (available on 'Virtuale' among the attachments to topic 7 — BRI):

• Casarini, Nicola, The Future of the Belt and Road in Europe: How China’s Connectivity Project is Being Reconfigured across the Old Continent–and What It Means for the Euro-Atlantic Alliance (2024);
• Ghafar, Adel Abdel & Jacobs, Anna L., Introduction — China and North Africa Between Economics, Politics, and Security (2022);
• Olimat, Muhamad S., China and the Middle East. An Overview (2023);
• Zhou, Weifend & Esteban, Mario, Beyond Balancing: China’s Approach towards the Belt and Road Initiative (2018)
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Teaching methods

The course employs a dialogic approach, so as to stimulate students' prticipation constantly. In the final stage of the course, students will be involved in a seminar and present group projects concerning, indicatively, the relations between China and the regions of the Mediterranean area, and/or specific countries within the area.

Assessment methods

Oral exam.

Office hours

See the website of Alessandro Albana