The Influence of Elite Groups on Chinese Foreign Policy
Abstract
This article argues that Chinese foreign policy is not solely the result of a single actor or international system pressures, but rather shaped by the interaction of interests, perceptions, and institutional priorities of different elite groups. The study focuses on intra-party elites, security elites, economic elites, and academic elites, seeking to answer the question of who these elite groups are and how they influence foreign policy. Neoclassical realism and elite theory are used together as the theoretical framework. Qualitative and quantitative content analysis is employed on official state documents, white papers, and People’s Daily content. The findings demonstrate that Chinese foreign policy is produced by a multi-actor but centralized elite structure. In conclusion, the study argues that Chinese foreign policy should be analyzed within an “elite filter” framework, offering a holistic approach to this topic in the literature.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Policy and Administration (Other), International Politics
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Fatih Beyaz
*
0000-0002-5189-6631
Türkiye
Early Pub Date
June 11, 2026
Publication Date
September 14, 2026
Submission Date
October 2, 2025
Acceptance Date
April 10, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 81 Number: 3