Analytical Overview of Beijings Belt and Road Corridors

Abstract

This paper explores the rationale and factors that led to the adoption of Beijings Belt and Road Initiative. The study analysis the land corridors in detail and investigate its progress and challenges posed to each corridor. This paper aims to find out the real motives behind the overall concept of Belt and Road corridors and the benefits that it brings to China and participant states. Additionally, the paper examines the origin, capacity and extortions faced to BRI while making it a reality. This project plans greater trade and industrial activities through energy and communication infrastructure, activating of ports and construction of economic zones. The studies found that the project is more than just an economic investment corridor which will further boost PRC economy; it is also a strategic asset for the Chinese government which could provide strategic depth against its rivals powers like the US and its allies which are trying to contain China.

China’s Belt and Road Projects in Central Asia

“…China’s BRI aspires to expand regional markets, facilitate trade and regional cooperation, and economic integration among the Belt and Road Countries (Zhaohui, 2019). It was announced by the Chinese President Xi Jinping in September and October of 2013 during his visit to Kazakhstan and Indonesia, respectively (Escobar, 2017; Khan et al, 2018). Xi’s vision and actions on jointly building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the twenty-first century Maritime Silk Road (hereinafter referred to as the BRI) have attracted close attention from all over the world (Blanchard & Flint, 2017; Frankopan, 2015).…”

“…BRI has become the most important element in China’s contemporary foreign policy (Ishnazarov, 2020; Parepa, 2020). It has the world’s largest economic corridor, which claims to connect as many as 60 countries around the world (Chatzky & McBride, 2020; Khalid et al, 2018; Kunaka, 2018). BRI endeavours to connect Asia, Eastern Europe and northern Africa via land and maritime networks along two routes (Bhattarai, 2019; Ferrari & Tei, 2020; Joshi, 2018).…”

“…Initially, Chinese leadership emphasized that BRI aimed to improve infrastructural investment and logistical links between China and partner countries. The initiative has its roots in ancient China’s philosophy of the ‘Silk Road Spirit’, which advocates promoting peaceful cooperation, openness, mutual learning and benefit between different civilizations (Ding, 2016; Khan et al, 2018; Liang & Zhang, 2019). The initiative also aims to build these linkages through investing in infrastructure construction, opening transport and economic corridors, and by bridging China with the rest of the world both ‘physically, financially, digitally and socially’.…”

“…The initiative also aims to build these linkages through investing in infrastructure construction, opening transport and economic corridors, and by bridging China with the rest of the world both ‘physically, financially, digitally and socially’. Chinese authorities view that transportation infrastructure is ‘the first step in creating an economic corridor that will integrate the landlocked economies of the Eurasian hinterland and tie them more tightly to China’ (Khan et al, 2018, p. 4). The BRI is also developing in terms of its targeted investment categories and predominant strategic goals.…”

Beijing Interests in CPEC

“…China 75% of international trade going through the Strait of Malacca and Indian Ocean where huge U.S. naval presence could blockades the choke points of the Strait of Malacca that would leads to the conflict between the two largest economies of the World. For that purpose, Gwadar operated by Chinese to directly link it western China and reduce the dependency on US influenced sea routes of Indian Ocean, Strait of Malacca, East and South China Sea to sustain and ensure free flow of imports and exports to the region of Middle East, Africa and Europe with any obstacle (Ijaz Khalid, 2018).…”