Yunnan’s Opening up to South Asia from the Perspective of Sub-state Government Diplomacy

The ‘Belt and Road’ initiative and China’s neighbourhood diplomacy are two main pillars that have re-established the importance of local governments as vital actors in promoting good relations with neighbouring countries. Over the years, China’s diplomatic landscape has become increasingly diverse, with local governments—especially those in border areas—playing a more prominent role in neighbourhood diplomacy. Due to its proximity to South Asia and Southeast Asia, Yunnan Province has actively committed to enhancing connections with these regions. Unlike other provinces in China, Yunnan has focused on developing transborder, transregional, and regional para-diplomacy (Ye in J Contemp China 34:43–60, 2025). Given its location, the central government has designated Yunnan as an important pivot for promoting links with South Asian economies. The province has adopted various approaches, including institution building, non-institutional lobbying, sub-regional cooperation, and promoting economic connectivity. However, compared to state-level diplomacy aimed at Southeast Asia, diplomatic efforts towards South Asia face constraints due to the region’s political structure and economic development challenges, which impact both the opening model and its effectiveness.