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How does geopolitical uncertainty affect Chinese overseas investment in the energy sector? Evidence from the South China Sea Dispute

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  • Yu, Zhen
  • Xiao, Yao
  • Li, Jinpo

Abstract

Based on Chinese outward foreign direct investment data, this study examines the impact of the South China Sea Dispute on China's overseas investments in oil & gas-related sectors. The South China Sea Dispute alarms a potential threat to China's energy supply. By applying a difference-in-difference estimation, we find that the South China Sea Dispute brings about an increase in the frequency of China's oil & gas-related investments to low-risk countries. The findings are robust under several specification tests. It indicates that under geopolitical uncertainty environment, energy-importers will reallocate energy investment in order to avoid the potential disruption of energy supply.

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  • Yu, Zhen & Xiao, Yao & Li, Jinpo, 2021. "How does geopolitical uncertainty affect Chinese overseas investment in the energy sector? Evidence from the South China Sea Dispute," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:eneeco:v:100:y:2021:i:c:s014098832100267x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.eneco.2021.105361
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    Cited by:

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    2. Yu, Zhen & Shen, Yiran & Jiang, Shengjun, 2022. "The effects of corporate governance uncertainty on state-owned enterprises' green innovation in China: Perspective from the participation of non-state-owned shareholders," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    3. Huang, Youxing & Yang, Yu, 2023. "Determinants of Chinese energy OFDI location decisions and entry failure risk: The roles of public diplomacy endeavors and firm investment strategies," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 267(C).
    4. Lili Pan & Lin Wang & Qianqian Feng, 2022. "A Bibliometric Analysis of Risk Management in Foreign Direct Investment: Insights and Implications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-18, June.
    5. Di Ubaldo, Mattia & Gasiorek, Michael, 2022. "Non-trade provisions in trade agreements and FDI," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    6. Li, Xin & Tong, Yan & Zhong, Kai & Xu, Guoquan & Zhao, Wenyi, 2024. "Geopolitical risk and foreign subsidiary performance of emerging market multinationals," Journal of Multinational Financial Management, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    7. Zhang, Bin & Liu, Zuyao & Wang, Zhaohua & Zhang, Shuang, 2023. "The impact of geopolitical risk on energy security: Evidence from a GMM panel VAR approach," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(PB).
    8. Kai-Hua Wang & Jia-Min Kan & Cui-Feng Jiang & Chi-Wei Su, 2022. "Is Geopolitical Risk Powerful Enough to Affect Carbon Dioxide Emissions? Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-16, June.
    9. Wei Hu & Yue Shan & Yun Deng & Ningning Fu & Jian Duan & Haining Jiang & Jianzhen Zhang, 2023. "Geopolitical Risk Evolution and Obstacle Factors of Countries along the Belt and Road and Its Types Classification," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-24, January.
    10. Wang, Delu & Wang, Yadong & Jiang, Wuding & Shi, Xunpeng, 2023. "Has outward foreign direct investment alleviated industrial overcapacity in China? An empirical test of the upstream and downstream industrial links," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 250-263.
    11. Kai‐Hua Wang & Zu‐Shan Wang & Hong‐Wen Liu & Xin Li, 2023. "Economic policy uncertainty and geopolitical risk: evidence from China and Southeast Asia," Asian-Pacific Economic Literature, The Crawford School, The Australian National University, vol. 37(2), pages 96-118, November.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Geopolitical event; China's outward FDI; Difference-in-difference;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F21 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Investment; Long-Term Capital Movements
    • F50 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - General

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