Examining the Chinese Influence on “Democratic Retreat” in Developing Countries

This panel focus on the debate about the "democratic retreat" hypothesis throughout the international community and examine whether that debate is a hypothesis that applies to concrete cases of developing countries. It is generally noted that the democratic retreat has been more pronounced since 2002, especially after 2016-18. What are the factors contributing to this? While there are certainly domestic political and social factors unique to each country, are there any contributing factors that are common to the world as a whole?
In recent years, China became the largest donor to some developing countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka, Pakistan in Asia, and Angola, Ethiopia in Africa. At the same time, the regimes of many of those countries have become increasingly authoritarian in recent years. China advocates non-interference in internal affairs when providing aid, a stance that sharply contrast with the West, which demands transparency in the policy-making process, the absence of corruption, and democratic procedures when providing aid. There are criticisms that China's growing presence has reduced the effectiveness of Western "pressure for democracy" by using aid as a leverage, and that China's expansion of aid, which pursues economic benefits in cooperation with local vested interests, is encouraging corruption in developing countries.
Could it be said that the expansion of Chinese aid and the strengthening of its economic relations with developing countries have strengthened authoritarian regime? On the other hand, "authoritarianization (transition to authoritarian regime)" can be seen as a kind of return to the traditional style of politics of the developing countries, or a strengthening of rent-seeking politics that seeks to monopolize the expanding economic benefits that accompany economic growth. A more detailed examination is needed to determine whether these arguments are grounded in reality.
This panel invites papers which focus on the impact of Chinese growing presence in developing countries and specific country case studies of Chinese impacts on the political and social situations of the recipients.