Assessing the impact of China's economic policies on foreign relations and internationalization strategies across four global regions

As China continues to expand its global economic footprint, understanding the implications of its economic policies on international relations and business internationalization becomes increasingly vital. Despite growing scholarly attention, comprehensive analysis of how China’s strategic economic initiatives influence diplomatic engagements and international market integration remains limited. Addressing this gap is crucial for policymakers, scholars, and business leaders seeking to navigate the evolving global economic landscape. This study examines the influence of China’s economic policies on foreign relations and the internationalization of Chinese businesses, with a focus on the interplay between economic strategies and global diplomatic engagements. The research aims to identify and analize key indicators of China’s economic policies, such as GDP growth, FDI inflows, and trade volumes. It also evaluates the impact of these policies on bilateral and multilateral relationships. The research also assesses sector-specific internationalization initiatives; and investigate the diplomatic and economic implications of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). A mixed-method approach was adopted. Quantitative data were collected through a structured questionnaire involving 250 participants, including business leaders, government officials, scholars, and trade experts, and analized using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Qualitative data were obtained from 10 semi-structured interviews and analized using NVivo software. The unit of analysis focused on policy-level influences and organizational-level internationalization strategies across four global regions. The study reveals that China’s trade and investment policies exert the most substantial influence on internationalization process, particularly through export expansion and outward FDI. China’s diplomatic achievements vary by region: multilateral partnerships have strengthened in Africa and Eastern Europe, while bilateral cooperation in Asia, especially in infrastructure-related projects has deepened. Political dynamics positively moderate these outcomes, while economic interdependence enhances the effectiveness of poverty alleviation and investment strategies. These research findings offer theoretical contributions by advancing the understanding of economic diplomacy and provide practical recommendations for policymakers and global stakeholders to optimize engagement with China’s evolving economic strategies