When Dragon meets Nāga, the study of strategic narratives of China’s Buddhist Diplomacy in Thailand after the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative

Abstract: This thesis investigates the strategic use of narratives in Chinese Buddhist public diplomacy to support the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Thailand. This study examines the different levels of narrative formation, including system, identity, and issue narratives, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms that drive communication, persuasion, and influence in international affairs. Thesis argues that the Chinese government strategically employs narratives surrounding Buddhism and exchanges between Thailand and China as a means to bolster their BRI projects, cultivate a favourable perception of China, and strengthen the existing bilateral relations. The findings indicate that the Chinese government has been utilising Southern Buddhism as transnational religion to promote the BRI and to find common ground with Thailand in their discourse. Consequently, the strategic use of narratives helps to reduce negative perceptions of China's influence in Thailand. However, the effectiveness of Chinese influence is mediated by national identity. The thesis concludes that the narrative is linked to China's national development strategy and is presented in the context of Chinese politics and society. The study goes beyond traditional soft power analyses to provide a more nuanced understanding of how complex interactions and strategic narratives that shape international relations.