The Great Silk Road, which served as an important corridor of trade and cultural exchange between Europe and Asia two millennia ago, has reappeared on the world map. Technically, this happened in June 2014 when the route was officially added to the UNESCO World Heritage Register. It\u00a0includes a total of 33 historic landmarks \u2013 22 located in China, 8 in Kazakhstan, and 3 in Kyrgyzstan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reviving the legendary route took unprecedented efforts, but China never doubted that the game was worth the candle. Its reinstatement should re-ignite the world\u2019s interest, and the new version will overshadow its famous predecessor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chinese President Xi Jinping officially conceived the \u2018Silk Road Economic Belt\u2019 strategy and the Maritime Silk Road in the fall of 2013. The large-scale Chinese project may seem like yet another public move to exploit a hyped-up, romanticized image, but there is far more below the surface. Numerous studies and international forums have shown that a modern Silk Road is a long-term, multi-faceted global strategy, and the first phase of its implementation indicates an improved regional and global economic policy from China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Its goals are no secret \u2013 China is starting to feel too cramped within its geographical boundaries. The mismatch between the mounting needs of 1 billion people and the country\u2019s limited natural resources, combined with an unprecedented pace of economic growth, amount to a call to action \u2013 economic expansion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Giampaolo Visetti, a reporter from the Italian publication La Repubblica <\/em>and author of an oft-cited article about China\u2019s ambitious plans, believes that the Silk Road Economic Belt strategy will become the country\u2019s project of the century, seriously challenge the West, and redraw the business map of the world. \u201cBeijing is back at the heart of the affluent part of the world bordered by the Pacific Ocean, while the US and Europe have been pushed to the impoverished outskirts of the Atlantic,\u201d he wrote in one of his articles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On top of the obvious external reasons for developing the Silk Road Economic Belt, there are also internal ones. In China, the western regions are acutely underdeveloped. Years of attempts to elevate \u2018the far corner\u2019 of the country to the level of the more developed eastern provinces have been unsuccessful. Development programs proved to be costly, inefficient, and largely artificial. But within the context of the Silk Road Economic Belt strategy, which will involve full-scale railway construction, western China and its significant mineral reserves looks much more accessible and attractive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China\u2019s leadership has more than made up its mind. For instance, the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt has become a part of the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) that is currently in development. It is also present in relevant policy documents: the most recent socio-economic development plan and government reports. More importantly, the strategy has very serious financial backing. In October 2014, the PRC signed a foundation memorandum for the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) with a registered capital of $100 billion (5.2 trillion RUB), which is to begin operations before the end of the year. At the time of this writing, 57 countries have expressed the desire to become founding members, including 21 Asian states, as well as France, Finland, Italy, Germany, the UK, Australia, and Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the same time, China has established a special Silk Road Fund of up to $40 billion (2.1 trillion RUB). According to China\u2019s President, Xi Jinping, it is made up of Chinese capital (through foreign exchange reserves and the resources of the Chinese Investment Corporation, the Export-Import Bank of China, and China Development Bank), which will be used to directly support the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, Beijing is ready to help participating countries prepare 20,000 specialists in the next 5 years to work on strategy implementation, which may take up to 30 years. In the future, the plan is to create seven \u2018belts\u2019: transport, energy, trade, information, science and technology, agriculture, and tourism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The result may indeed be the emergence of a massive free trade zone stretching from the northwestern provinces of China through Central Asia to Central and Eastern Europe. About 3 billion people currently live along the projected route. In other words, it is an immense market with immense potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The new incarnation of the Silk Road has no clear geographical starting or ending points. The global idea is more important: East and West are making another attempt to get closer. Beijing is keeping the doors to the new Chinese project wide open, as evidenced by the conceptual plan of action for the implementation of the project, which was adopted in early spring. \u201cThe development programs will be open and inclusive, not exclusive. They will be a chorus comprising all countries along the routes, not a solo performance by China,\u201d confirmed President Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony of the annual Boao Forum for Asia in late March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In November 2014, at a special meeting of China\u2019s Central Steering Group on financial and economic issues, Xi Jinping pledged to assist countries located along the Silk Road Economic Belt in building appropriate infrastructure, including transport networks and power supply facilities. There is no lack of candidates wishing to join the Chinese initiative \u2013 57 countries have already declared their willingness to do so. In particular, the strategy immediately received unconditional support in Central Asia, especially in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Turkey is also interested, since it<\/p>\n\n\n\n place on the ancient Silk Road. If it were to once more become the focal point of revitalized relations between East and West, it would mean tangible economic benefits for the country. is a country whose unique location held a special<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chinese integration plan will cover many of the CIS countries, in particular the countries of the Caucasus: Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, as well as Abkhazia and South Ossetia. In December 2014, a protocol of cooperation for the joint construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt was signed between the Ministry of Commerce of China and the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Belarus. It is also clear that Russia will not be watching from the sidelines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is no secret that Moscow\u2019s participation in the Beijing-initiated project was never a foregone conclusion. Its architects originally envisioned the Silk Road Economic Belt to run along a southern route that would bypass Russia entirely. To some extent, the inclusion of Russia in the northern corridor\u2019s trajectory was facilitated by the return of Crimea, the western gate of the historic Silk Road that opened maritime trade routes to Byzantium and Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In turn, Russia also had grounds for concern in regards to China\u2019s initiatives, which could be seen as possible competition for its own Eurasian economic integration projects implemented as part of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). After several meetings in recent months, China managed to convince its Russian partners that there was no conflict of interest. \u201cThe implementation of the concept does not duplicate or compete with cooperation mechanisms like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization or the EEU. On the contrary, its implementation will add new content and give additional impetus,\u201d confirms Li Hui, China\u2019s Ambassador to Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a result, First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov announced in March at the Asian Economic Forum that Russia had decided to join the Silk Road Economic Belt strategy. In April, Russia officially became a founding member of the AIIB.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It should be a win-win situation for both countries. On the one hand, participation in the strategy opens up previously unseen opportunities for Russia, but only if the country participates in the project \u2013 which draws upon China\u2019s increasing economic potential \u2013 wisely, strategically, and on favorable terms. On the other hand, the leadership in Beijing understands that the project they initiated is still incomplete, if not impossible, without Russia\u2019s participation and cooperation. The northern corridor of the new Silk Road extends from Western China through Kazakhstan to Orenburg, Russia, and then \u2013 as envisioned by China \u2013 to St. Petersburg and the Baltic Sea, as well as through Belarus and via Warsaw to Western Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is no accident that the first joint project of the Silk Road Economic Belt strategy may be the joint construction of a high-speed railway (HSR) between Moscow and Kazan with an option to extend it to Beijing. Not so long ago, it was added to the list of top priorities for one of China\u2019s leading railway companies, China CNR Corporation. Today the company is involved in negotiations for the construction of the HSR, which will connect 28 Silk Road Economic Belt countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Significantly, Russia\u2019s participation in the Chinese project will not be limited to a transit role. On the contrary, it will become a full partner in the northern part of the Eurasian corridor. \u201cRussia is an essential party to the Silk Road Economic Belt strategy, which can integrate many Sino- Russian projects, in particular the program of joint development of the border regions of the two countries,\u201d confirms Jin Sheng, a representative of the Department of Foreign Economic Relations in China\u2019s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From the perspective of brand new and indispensable economic cooperation with the regions of the Russian Federation, Beijing has a lot to offer Moscow. Last summer, at the first China- Russia Expo in Harbin, Chinese experts offered to use the concept of the Silk Road Economic Belt to promote the development of Siberia and the Far East with the help of local railways. In turn, Wang Qinghai, a deputy of the National People\u2019s Congress, suggested that the implementation of the Silk Road Economic Belt should include Bolshoy Ussuriysky Island, which has been divided between the two countries since 2008 in accordance with recent agreements on border demarcation. According to Qinghai, the government should focus on the future of this strategically important piece of land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some fundamentally new Russian-Chinese projects are also being proposed. For instance, as part of the Silk Road Economic Belt strategy, Shaanxi Province in northern China announced its intent to establish a free trade zone that would focus on Russia, and the corresponding application should be submitted to the State Council before the end of the year. It will operate under simplified customs clearance and return of import and export tax rules for goods from Russia and China, and carry out direct payments in national currencies. A Russian-Chinese technological cluster will become the centerpiece of the new FTA, with the first phase of the construction project already started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The strategy of the Silk Road Economic Belt will include Chinese cooperation in the oil and gas sector with Russia and the Central Asian countries, which will help the former to strengthen its national energy security, and the latter to deepen their diversification of their energy resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For its part, the initiative is supported by many Russian regions. For instance, the authorities of Yugra have offered to synchronize infrastructure development in the Polar Urals and the Arctic region with Chinese plans. \u201cIt is in our interest that our route should become a new northern branch of the Silk Road, a part of the global \u2018Arctic-Asia\u2019 corridor,\u201d said Natalia Komarova, acting governor of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug, at the SCO Forum in March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, there is enormous potential should the Russian Northern Sea Route be included in the \u2018Maritime Silk Road of the 21st century.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whatever the case, Beijing is busy studying the reactions of all their possible partners and analyzing more than 300 project proposals within the context of the Silk Road Economic Belt \u2013 in essence, a philosophy of rapprochement and cooperation between the two major pillars of modern civilization, Europe and Asia. China is serious about taking advantage of this historic opportunity on a global scale, and is in no hurry to wrap up its final plan as it moves toward regaining its historical position as the \u2018Middle Kingdom\u2019 of the modern world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2013<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n September<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Silk Road Economic Belt concept was introduced by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to Kazakhstan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n October<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n President Xi proposed building a close-knit China-ASEAN community and offered guidance on constructing a 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. In his speech at the Indonesian parliament, Xi also proposed establishing the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to finance infrastructure construction and promote regional interconnectivity and economic integration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n November<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China called for accelerating infrastructure links among neighboring countries and facilitating the Belt and Road initiative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n December<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Xi urged strategic planning of the Belt and Road initiative to promote connectedness of infrastructure and build a community of common interests at the annual Central Economic Work Conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2014<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n February<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin reached a consensus on construction of the Belt and Road, as well as its connection with Russia\u2019s Euro-Asia Railways, BAM, and Trans-Siberian Railway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n March<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Premier Li Keqiang called for accelerating Belt and Road construction in the government work report. The report also called for balanced development of the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n May<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The first phase of a logistics terminal, with a total investment of 606 million yuan ($98 million), jointly built by China and Kazakhstan went into operation in the port of Lianyungang in Eastern China\u2019s Jiangsu Province.<\/p>\n\n\n\n October<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Twenty-one Asian countries willing to join the AIIB as founding members signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Establishing AIIB. As agreed, Beijing will be the host city for AIIB\u2019s headquarters. The AIIB is expected to be formally established by the end of 2015.<\/p>\n\n\n\n November<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n President Xi announced that China will contribute $40 billion to set up the Silk Road Fund. During the Beijing APEC meetings, Xi announced that the fund will be used to provide investment and financing support for infrastructure, resources, industrial cooperation, financial cooperation, and other projects in countries along the Belt and Road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2015<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n January<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The number of AIIB founding members, many of which are important countries along the Silk Road routes, rose to 26 after New Zealand, Maldives, Saudi Arabia, and Tajikistan officially joined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n February<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n At a special meeting attended by senior leader Zhang Gaoli, China sketched out priorities for the Belt and Road initiative, highlighting transportation infrastructure, easier investment and trade, financial cooperation, and cultural exchange.<\/p>\n\n\n\n March<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Premier Li, in his government work report, again highlighted the initiative, saying China will move more quickly to strengthen infrastructure with its neighbors, simplify customs clearance procedures, and build international logistics gateways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi dismissed comparisons of the initiative to the U.S.-sponsored Marshall Plan. The initiative is \u201cthe product of inclusive cooperation, not a tool of geopolitics, and must not be viewed with an outdated Cold War mentality,\u201d Wang said, adding that China\u2019s diplomacy in 2015 will focus on making progress on the Belt and Road initiative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n President Xi Jinping highlighted the strategy while addressing the opening ceremony of the annual conference of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA). The same day, the National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Commerce jointly released an action plan on the principles, framework, and cooperation priorities and mechanisms in the Belt and Road Initiative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n May<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n During Xi Jinping\u2019s visit to Moscow, it was agreed to link various projects under the EAEC and the Silk Road Economic Belt. China has agreed to invest 104 billion rubles ($2.1 billion) in the construction of the Moscow-Kazan high-speed railway, which could later be extended to Beijing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Source: xinhuanet.com, BRICS Business Magazine<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The implementation of the Silk Road Economic Belt strategy may return China to its traditional position as the \u2018middle\u2019 power of Eurasia and the world.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3139,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[992],"country":[71,179],"authors":[993],"class_list":["post-3124","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-macroeconomics","tag-992","country-china","country-russia","authors-remyga_vladimir"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nIn Earnest and for the Long Haul<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Russia \u2013 the chance of a millennium<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Milestones along the road<\/h2>\n\n\n\n