Abstract
This article examines Chinese-led regional forums in the developing world where the Chinese preponderance of economic power is self-evident, its financial largesse is readily utilised to sustain these endeavours, its bureaucracies are empowered to guide the conduct of institutional activities, and its normative intentions and interests are given fullest expression.
This assessment of two such Chinese-instigated regional forums in the developing world suggests that despite the professed norms on ‘political equality’ and ‘mutual benefit’ and efforts to ensure the maintenance of Chinese interests over time, China’s stance is increasingly contested by developing country member states. These challenges invariably take the form of struggles over the structuring of key administrative organs and the decision-making process and as such are reflective of norms, interests and expectations held by developing country members. In other words although China holds a preponderance of structural power within these regional forums there is an ongoing process of socialisation—driven by developing country member states—aimed at reshaping China’s behaviour to bring it more closely in line with the other members’ interests.
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