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UTENRIKS-Internasjonale forhold - utenriks- og sikkerhetspolitikk og norske interesser

China and Evolving Multilateral Craftmanship in the Age of Digitalization (CHIMULTI)

Alternative title: China and Evolving Multilateral Craftmanship in the Age of Digitalization (CHIMULTI)

Awarded: NOK 12.0 mill.

Project title: China and Multilateral Craftmanship in the Age of Digitalization (CHIMULTI) How is China crafting influence in international organizations (IOs) associated with digitalization (digi) issues? This is the overarching theme and question investigated in CHIMULTI, which studies how China, with targeted comparison of India, USA and other G20 countries, is working to shape international digi-issues governance. Zooming in on three interrelated digi-issues, AI standards, e-commerce rules, and cybersecurity aid guidelines, and related IOs, we develop typological theory for multilateral craftmanship types. Contested and subject to enhanced major power rivalry, the international governance of digi-issues is yet only nascently institutionalized. Still, all countries, not least developing and low-income countries, need and rely on digital resources, their access to which depend on some level of international facilitation and agreement. CHIMULTI provides timely, novel and usable knowledge about how and why China, now a prominent world power with leading digitalization capacities, works within multilateral settings to promote interests, shape policy, gain influence, and contribute to reaching the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The targeted comparison to India, USA and other G20 countries, ensures that both data and research findings are grounded in Asian and broader global development contexts. Bringing together a team of highly skilled and dedicated scholars based in four different continents, CHIMULTI will inform scholarly and policy debates concerning international digi-issues governance, IO development, and major power rivalry and cooperation.

How is China crafting influence in international organizations (IOs) associated with digitalization (‘digi’) issues? This is the overarching question investigated in CHIMULTI, which studies how China, with targeted comparison of India, USA and other G20 countries, is working to shape international digitalization governance. Contested and subject to major power rivalry, multilateral digi-issues governance is only nascently institutionalized, despite digital access and sustainable digital security depending on international facilitation. We apply typological theory and identify and theorize causal pathways leading to the formation of types of multilateral craftmanship, which consist of combinations of formal and informal resources and actions that countries utilize in their operations within- and in relation to IOs. Zooming in on three interrelated digi-issues (AI standards; e-commerce rules; cybersecurity aid guidelines) and related IOs (ITU, WTO and UNCTAD), we develop typological theory for craftmanship types. We thus contribute to ongoing debates about the changing character of the multilateral system and its ability to address one of the foremost impactful development topics for our time. With a team combining area-expertise with methodological skills, CHIMULTI conducts comparative quantitative and qualitative analysis, nuanced empirical investigation and develops an comprehensive dataset, all aimed at capturing varying aspects of evolving multilateral craftmanship. On this basis, the project will contribute to broader debates, first, about the evolving character of multilateral engagement and Chinese craftmanship, and second, on the institutionalization of digi-issues governance in multilateral settings. Concerning societal and policy-related impact, CHIMULTI provides a research-based roadmap into understanding which IOs, multilateral settings, and country representatives are especially relevant for digi-issues governance and policy making.

Funding scheme:

UTENRIKS-Internasjonale forhold - utenriks- og sikkerhetspolitikk og norske interesser