China's State-Owned Enterprises and Diplomatic Action; Interaction of Commercial Hnterests and Political Goals

The special pattern of China's development in the past decades has had special features, including the prominent role of state-owned companies in this process. According to various experts, today, parallel to the expansion of China's economic and commercial interactions, these companies have also entered the field of foreign policy decision-making. However, there are serious doubts about the various roles of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in China's diplomatic action. Accordingly, the main question of the article is, parallel to the expansion of China's international interactions, especially in the last two decades, how have state-owned companies affected the foreign policy decision-making process of this country? The answer given to this question as a hypothesis and using the descriptive and explanatory method is that in the process of China's rapid development, structural reforms leading to fragmentation, decentralization and internationalism in the government body, paid the way for state-owned companies to enter the field of foreign policy decision-making as partners (although smaller) which caused the diplomatic action of this emerging superpower to become more numerous and ambiguous. The findings of the article can contribute to a better understanding of China's diplomatic actions and a more accurate and intelligent regulation of relations with this emerging power.