China’s Decision to Deploy HYSY-981 in the South China Sea: Bureaucratic Politics with Chinese Characteristics

Abstract

This paper sheds light on developing a hybrid analytical construct by combining Foreign Policy Analysis (FPA) theory and modifications which are based on China. It employs the bureaucratic politics model to China’s decision-making during the China-Vietnam standoff in 2014 and adjusts the traditional model with intervening variables—the party ranking system and Democratic Centralism doctrine. I argue that the bargaining game among different actors who have diverse agendas led to the shift in China’s strategy. It would concurrently advance FPA studies while developing a future avenue for research on foreign policy formulation of China.