The Political Economy of China’s Strategic Layout in Europe: A Case Study of the Belt and Road Initiative

Abstract

Following with the rise of China’s economic power, it has been thinking about increasing its political power and influence in the world. Under this consideration, the “One Belt and One Road” (OBOR) initiative was proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013 when he visited Kazakhstan in September and Indonesia in October, the two countries who represent landlocked and maritime nations. From China’s strategic perspective, by means of the OBOR initiative, China not only can promote its trade and economic growth with countries along the routes, but also can disseminate China’s values and soft power. This therefore can deeply connect China with Asia, Africa and Europe and greatly strengthen China’s position and influence on the global stage. However, not every country welcomes China’s grand strategy and its well-designed layout in the regions. Thus, this article wants to use Europe as the example to explore China’s strategic considerations and layout in Europe by the OBOR projects, and also the attitudes and responses of Europe to China. It will be concluded with some suggestions.

KEYWORDS:

• China;
• OBOR;
• Europe;
• strategic layout;
• political economy

Notes

1 The Chinese government revised and changed the name to the “Belt and Road Initiative” since 2016 to avoid misunderstanding.

2 According to Khalid Mehmood Alam, Xuemei Li, and Saranjam Baig’s research on the impact and effect of CPEC, transport cost for a 40ft container between Kashgar and destination ports in the Middle East can be decreased by about US$1,450 and for destination of European ports can be decreased by US$1,350. Travel time can be decreased by 21 to 24 days for destination ports in the Middle East and 21 days for destination ports in Europe. The distance from Kashgar to destination ports in the Middle East and Europe is decreased by 11,000 to 13,000 km. For detailed discussion on the impact and effect of CPEC on trade and the comparison of the existing routes and the new route can see Alam et al. (2019). Impact of Transport Cost and Travel Time on Trade under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Journal of Advanced Transportation, 2, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/7178507

3 CEE comprises the countries in Central Europe, the Baltics, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Europe, the Balkans, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine. See Invest Europe (2020, June). Central and Eastern Europe Statistics 2019. https://investeurope.eu/media/3225/central_and_eastern_europe_activity_report_2019.pdf

4 As his first presidential trip, Xi visited the Netherlands, France, Germany, and Belgium for 9 days in March, 2014 to help build up China-EU relations. See Tiezzi (2014, March 29). China Seeks European Connections. The Diplomat. https://thediplomat.com/2014/03/china-seeks-european-connections/