Abstract

This thesis explores China's international trade from trade, global value chains (GVCs) and export diversity, focusing on the "One-Belt One-Road" (OBOR) initiative proposed at the end of 2013. Specifically, I verify the potential association of OBOR with bilateral imports and exports in the first chapter. Then the relationship between OBOR and GVCs has been explored in Chapter 2. And I have extended the research in GVCs to China's province level and checked the linkages with labour markets. Finally, Chapter 3 focuses on OBOR's role in export diversity and the relationship between capital and Chinese firms' extensive margins. The result indicates 1) the positive association between OBOR and trade, value-added and GVCs. China-Pakistan (CP) and Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) economic corridors play a more vital promoter role. 2) For China's labour market, wages and productivity (employment) are positively correlated, but employment and productivity are negatively associated. And GVCs' participation hinders the development of employment and productivity. 3) The relationship between OBOR and export diversity is negative. State-owned and private capital positively associate with extensive margins at the Chinese firm's level.

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