Kinesiska investeringar, en säkerhetsrisk? Svenska föreställningar kring kinesiska investeringar i teknik och infrastruktur

Sammanfattning: The purpose of this thesis is to contribute a nuanced understanding of Swedish perceptions regarding Chinese investments, particularly in technology and infrastructure. Despite the shift in perceptions from economic opportunities to security risks since 2017, there remains a gap in understanding the multifaceted nature of these perceptions. The research problem revolves around the contradiction between perceiving Chinese investments as security risks and their continued influx into sensitive sectors like technology and infrastructure. This study aims to investigate if there are nuanced perceptions and how they are constructed, aiming to fill this gap in understanding Swedish attitudes towards chinese investments. Employing the concept of "Sociotechnical Imaginaries" developed by Jasanoff and Kim (2009), grounded in Science and Technology Studies (STS) and political theory, the thesis utilizes Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to dissect empirical data. The analysis explores the evolution of Swedish perceptions regarding Chinese investments from 2017 to 2021, examining how national politicians frame these perceptions and whether they are reflected in the execution and development of technical and industrial projects. Through this approach, the study aims to provide insights into the complexity of Swedish attitudes towards Chinese investments, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of why these investments persist despite being perceived as security risks.