Research Article

The Influence of Elite Groups on Chinese Foreign Policy

Number: Advanced Online Publication Early Pub Date: June 11, 2026
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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

Early Pub Date

June 11, 2026

Publication Date

-

Submission Date

October 2, 2025

Acceptance Date

April 10, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication

APA
Beyaz, F. (2026). The Influence of Elite Groups on Chinese Foreign Policy. Ankara Üniversitesi SBF Dergisi, Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.33630/ausbf.1795575
AMA
1.Beyaz F. The Influence of Elite Groups on Chinese Foreign Policy. SBF Dergisi. 2026;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.33630/ausbf.1795575
Chicago
Beyaz, Fatih. 2026. “The Influence of Elite Groups on Chinese Foreign Policy”. Ankara Üniversitesi SBF Dergisi, no. Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.33630/ausbf.1795575.
EndNote
Beyaz F (June 1, 2026) The Influence of Elite Groups on Chinese Foreign Policy. Ankara Üniversitesi SBF Dergisi Advanced Online Publication
IEEE
[1]F. Beyaz, “The Influence of Elite Groups on Chinese Foreign Policy”, SBF Dergisi, no. Advanced Online Publication, June 2026, doi: 10.33630/ausbf.1795575.
ISNAD
Beyaz, Fatih. “The Influence of Elite Groups on Chinese Foreign Policy”. Ankara Üniversitesi SBF Dergisi. Advanced Online Publication (June 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.33630/ausbf.1795575.
JAMA
1.Beyaz F. The Influence of Elite Groups on Chinese Foreign Policy. SBF Dergisi. 2026. doi:10.33630/ausbf.1795575.
MLA
Beyaz, Fatih. “The Influence of Elite Groups on Chinese Foreign Policy”. Ankara Üniversitesi SBF Dergisi, no. Advanced Online Publication, June 2026, doi:10.33630/ausbf.1795575.
Vancouver
1.Fatih Beyaz. The Influence of Elite Groups on Chinese Foreign Policy. SBF Dergisi. 2026 Jun. 1;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.33630/ausbf.1795575