Revue des sciences politiques et des affaires publiques
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Chapter 5 Analyzing the Introduction of Environmental and Social Guidelinesin China’s Foreign Investments with Regard to Issue Attention in the Myitsone Dam Controversy

Kensuke Yamaguchi, Liu Dawei

This chapter attempted to explain the link between the publication of the “Guidelines for Environmental Protection in Foreign Investment and Cooperation” and the first two stages of the issue attention cycle with regard to the stalled Myitsone hydropower project in Myanmar. As Downs’ (1972) theory suggests, the Guideline was published in 2013, immediately after attention on the issue and anti-Chinese sentiment in Myanmar peaked. The relevant stage in this case, as per Down’s Issue Attention Cycle model, is “Alarmed discovery and euphoric enthusiasm.” Therefore, it might be implied that the Issue Attention Cycle model, which was originally applicable to democratic institutions, could also apply to the decision-making process in China, a country characterized by a socialist market economy. The study recommends that international society should support to secure communication channels between foreign investors and local communities in an earlier pre-project phase of large-scale hydropower developments.