The volume contains 6 chapters exploring the above themes, reflecting the authors’ diverse experiences at the level of major regions and nation states, highlighting the central role of Southeast Asia, Vietnam, Myanmar and China.
Chapter 1 of the book contributes to a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities of digital cooperation in Eurasia. In doing so, it focuses on the international dimensions of the digitalization strategies of the European Union (EU), the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and China, while examining already existing cooperation projects in the area of digitalization and offering policy recommendations. Chapter 2 examines the evolution of EU-ASEAN economic relations, and sheds light on the role Myanmar plays therein. The author concludes that following the February 2021 coup, the EU voiced its full support to ASEAN, realizing that it can play a key role in the de-escalation of the situation in Myanmar. The next chapter of the book discusses the impacts of the financial development of host and home countries on the extensive and intensive margins of Chinese outward FDI in Eurasia with Chinese enterprises. The chapter argues that the financial development of home and host countries can significantly raise the internationalization level of Chinese enterprises, as expressed by the number and the average value of FDI in Eurasia. The study comprising Chapter 4 traces the development of FinTech in Vietnam, which ranks second in ASEAN countries in terms of FinTech funding, then identifies the regulatory frameworks, focusing on tackling the problem in order to strengthen consumer rights. Chapter 5 aims to analyse the vaccine diplomacy conducted by manufacturing countries, with a special focus on the rivalry of US allies, and China’s diplomacy in Southeast Asia. It concludes that Southeast Asian countries are highly vulnerable to the leading powers in terms of vaccines, reinforcing the prevailing strategic influence in the region. The last chapter of the book seeks to demonstrate the significance of the Health Silk Road Initiative (HSR) regarding cooperation between China and the Eurasian nations during the coronavirus epidemic. The authors conclude that, despite the various challenges, the health cooperation between China and its partners is considered to be close, and “the HSR still looks to enjoy a bright future”.
We hope that this volume will make a worthy contribution to the advancement of geopolitical research on Eurasia, and will also serve as a useful read for those interested in geopolitics, economics and international relations in the 21st century.