China and its neighbors: Partners or competitors tor trade and investment

The very rapid economic growth of China, its dramatic success in world export markets and its heavy receipts of foreign direct investment (FDI) have generated much thought and debate in policy and business circles in different world. Given the impact of geography on trade and investment patterns, such concerns have been greatest amongst China's most immediate neighbors. This paper examines the evidence from a number of recent empirical studies that address different aspects of this issue in the context of China-East-Southeast Asia economic relations. The broad consensus is that whilst there may be risks to individual sectors in all countries concerned the pattern of regional trade and investment that is emerging is mutually beneficial.