The Belt and Road Initiative in the Shadow of Competition Between China and the US

In 2013, china publicly unveiled its suing a change in the world economic map for

Belt & Road Initiative (BRI), which consist of many years. The route that turns the ancient Silk

a project to connect China to other parts of the Road into a modern transit, trade and economic

world, such as Europe, Asia and Africa, by land corridor stretches from Shanghai to Berlin. The

and sea. In fact, China's goal in building such project is the largest economic development pro-

a project is to expand its trade links to the rest ject in the history of the world, which, of course,

of the world and to find a common ground in has further raised the concerns of China's rivals,

the global equation. Generally speaking, it is a to the point that the Europeans signed an infra-

move towards establishing a new hegemony and structure agreement with Japan to counter the

engaging in close competition with the United BRI strategy. The deal is part of a “connect to

States. This project is supposed to connect China Asia” strategy launched by the European Union

to Europe through Iran, which is why the Mid- last year to allay international concerns about

dle East resides at the center of this project. the Chinese new Silk Road (Emmott, 2019Emmott (2019). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.).

China has introduced the BRI to the global The BRI is considered to be a modern and

community as a 100-year-old project. It seems improved design of the ancient Silk Road. It is

that the main goal of this project has to do with also one of the manifestations of China's emerg-

economic issues, and China intends to some- ing power that connects the three continents of

how control the region's economy with the new Asia, Europe and Africa. The New Silk Road is

Silk Road project. Apart from economic con- an investment project in the economic infra-

trol, many of these countries are also politically structure of 71 countries (Belt and Road Initi-

and culturally inclined towards China and will ative, 2020) and the development of two major

become potential partners. China has been pur- trade routes, the “Silk Road Economic Belt” and

the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road”, which Highlight Design Features

are is still being developed and expanded. The Any successful global development strategy is to project aims to enhance China's position in the be based on communications and transit lines in world's trade and economic equations, and to order to strengthen trade cooperation. The full create an international transit network centered implementation of this plan will change the busion China, enabling China to deliver its goods by ness structure of the world, and for this reason the land and sea to countries on all three continents. BRI is called the project of the century. It accounts The “economic belt”, which is a land project, for 62.3% of the world's population, three-quarconnects China through Central Asia and the ters of the world's energy resources (Bruni, 2019: Middle East and then to Eastern and Western 5), and 30% of GDP (Shepard, 2020Shepard (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). So far, 126 Europe by Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, countries and 29 international organizations have Iran, Turkey, Ukraine, Poland, Belgium, France signed 173 cooperation agreements with China in and finally Italy (Countries of the Belt and Road line with this plan (Xinhua, 2019Xinhua (2019). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). By 2027, the Initiative (BRI), 2020). The 21st Century Maritotal value of the projects envisaged in this plan time Silk Road connects China by sea to Southis 1.2-1.3 trillion, although estimates on total ineast Asia and Africa and even Europe through vestments vary (Chatzky & McBride, 2020Chatzky & McBride (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). Chi- Greece and Italy in the northern Mediterranean, na Development Bank has already allocated $ 900 and includes Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri billion for more than 900 projects in 60 countries Lanka, Pakistan and Kenya. (Cai, 2017Cai (2017). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.).

The BRI’s Political Goals The BRI is a win-win plan and all parties, including China and the countries on the route, will benefit from it; at the same time, involved countries dependence on China is increasing. It will increase China's freedom of diplomatic maneuver and is therefore one of the manifesta- A China-Europe freight train leaves the Xinzhu Railway tions of China's emerging power. It will certainly

Station in Xi'an to head for Italy's Milan. boost China's international power and political

(Yuan Jingzhi/Xinhua) influence in the world, especially in Asia. Given the positive economic effects of its implementa-

It is expected that the launch of this pro- tion, it will change the economic and political

ject will not only increase China's influence and future of Asia. It could, along with China's mil-

power in the regional and international arena, itary power, lead to its hegemony in East Asia,

but also pave the way for Asia's economic devel- and ultimately enable China to become a major

opment and increase its political and econom- power in the world economy by overcoming

ic power in the world. A number of important the onshore and offshore trade routes in Eura-

questions arise at this point: What are the sali- sia. Moreover, the BRI has remarkably increased

ent characteristics of this project? What are the China’s soft power among various countries

main challenges posed by the US? along the land route (Voon & Xu, 2020: 122).

Nevertheless, it is doubtful that China could exert a soft power of similar influence to that of It will have a positive impact on the economies of Asian countries and the US (Beeson , 2018: 250). It rather remains pave the way for the emergence of an initiative to strengthen the trend towards a a strong Asia. multipolar world, the globalization of the economy, cultural diversity, the wider use of infornese manufacturers and adds to China's strength mation technology, and the strengthening of a as a large economy. It will have a positive impact global free regime within the framework of open on the economies of Asian countries and pave the regional cooperation. way for the emergence of a strong Asia. Undoubtedly, it facilitates the flow of communication and transportation of goods from China to Europe, Asia and Africa and vice versa, and generates lively competition in the field of transportation. As of 2017, more than 5,000 cargoes have been transmitted and 33 cities in China and 33 cities in 12 European countries are mutually connected within the BRI’s framework (Ohashi, 2018: 91). China seeks to connect poorer areas within the country to foreign markets, too. Thus, one

"Silk Road Economic Belt" and "21st Century Maritime could acknowledge that linking parts of Xinjiang

Silk Road" (CGTN, 2019CGTN (2019). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.) or Hunan to foreign markets represents an im-

portant part of the Chinese rationale for imple-

The BRI’s Political Goals menting this project. Chinese strategic thinkers

have sought to increase China’s influence as the

It is a great platform for economic cooperation. United States expands its influence in Southeast

Some see it as a development path in line with Asia and competes with the United States over

China's model of globalization, which seeks to re- the alliances of countries such as South Korea,

shape the world economic order and place coun- Japan, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines.

tries and companies on China's economic trajec- 46 sub-Saharan African ports with financial, con-

tory. Some consider it as the greatest Marshall struction, or operational involvement by Chinese

Plan of China and the economic route of the cen- entities have been identified (Devermont, 2019Devermont (2019). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.).

tury (Boucher, 2019Boucher (2019). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). It is the largest investment However, Chinese experts believe that these ports

project ever undertaken by a single country ($900 are fundamentally different from their American

counterparts, because the latter ones are designed billion). The main economic goal of the BRI is to to defend against US hegemonic policies. deliver Chinese-made goods to the largest number of countries in the world in the shortest time The BRI’s Advantages and cost. It increases traffic, develops tourism and

expands investment infrastructure. The BRI will develop the infrastructure of the

It changes the economic structure of the involved countries along the route and invest

world and increases the volume and value of trade in and modernize their economies. It is a new

in the world. It provides a large market for Chi- opportunity for countries along the way to ex-

pand their trade in Asia, Europe and Africa. Connections and interactions among the peo-

A network of railways, roads, pipelines, power ples of African countries will increase and the

plants, seaports, airports, railways, telecommu- exchange of cultures will become easier. In this

nications, digital networks and shipping routes regard, China has considered 39 African coun-

is being built that directly connects China with tries for inclusion to the Belt and Road Initiative,

countries on three continents: Asia, Africa, and ranging geographically from Tunisia to South

Africa. Nevertheless, China is now the creditor Europe (Dezenski, 2020Dezenski (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). One way to bridge of only three countries: Congo-Brazzaville, Djithe infrastructure gap between developed and bouti, and Zambia (Risberg, 2019: 44). developing countries is to help them grow economically and boost international trade. In The BRI’s Obstacles addition to bilateral talks with countries and

governments, China also has regional or inter- Opponents of the BRI, especially the United

national dialogue mechanisms with internation- States, see it as a colonial scheme that indebts

countries to China, with many target countries al and regional organizations such as the “China unable to repay their debts. Disagreements and and Eastern Europe (1 + 16)” referring to the 16 conflicts between the countries along the way, Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) states with such as China's disputes with India or the Inwhich China is developing ties: Albania, Bosnia dia-Pakistan disputes, more specifically ethnic,

and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech religious and border disputes and the lack of a

Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, dynamic and complementary economy con-

Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, stitute major obstacles to this project. More-

Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia (Kavalski, 2019Kavalski (2019). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). over, New Delhi has asserted that the BRI will

Africa is also a huge market for Chinese prod- violate India’s sovereignty and territorial integ-

ucts and could greatly add to China's strength rity (Chakma, 2019: 184). Other obstacles in-

as a major economic power and exporter. The clude trans-regional conflicts –especially the

economic benefits of implementing the BRI long-standing rivalry between India, Russia and

will enable countries along the way to estab- the United States with China and their opposi-

lish better political relations, benefit from each tion to China expanding its influence to other

other's trade, and develop their infrastructure. regions. The United States has accused China of

investing billions in infrastructure projects in developing countries to expand its geopolitical influence and gain a competitive advantage over the United States. Almost all American politicians have claimed that China has sought to use the BRI to export its surplus capacity in construction materials, engineering services, and perhaps even labor (Chance, 2016: 10). Therefore, many have described the project as “neocolonial debt Chinese entrepreneurs are in the ground breaking trap diplomacy”, in which China uses unpay-

ceremony of Jiangxi Multi-Facility Economic Zone in able debts to dominate less powerful countries

Zambia. (Wang Chao/ Xinhua, 2018Wang Chao/ Xinhua (2018). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.) around the world (Khanna, 2019Khanna (2019). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.).

The United States needs to engage with the BRI

American officials failed to in a number of significant ways. The participa-

acknowledge the BRI as an tion of the US administration, US-led institueconomic opportunity and strongly tions, and US companies may lead to higher enrecommend their allies not to join vironmental, labor, and quality standards in the the plan and to even consider it as a developing world. Setting these standards for the threat. BRI would advance US interests and leadership (Zhang, 2019Zhang (2019). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). American officials failed to acknowledge Contrary to these recommendations, US the BRI as an economic opportunity and strongpolicies, especially during the Trump era, have ly recommend their allies not to join the plan and resulted in the US retraction and China’s expanto even consider it as a threat (Schuman, 2019Schuman (2019). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). sion (Silverstein, 2019Silverstein (2019). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). While this situation may Moreover, the US is likely to soon accuse the BRI not necessarily lead to military clashes, the posof lacking transparency and environment safesibility of war could not be ruled out. It seems

guards. In the near future, the US may even im- essential for China to respect existing multilat-

pose sanctions on private-sector actors involved eral institutions while seeking to develop new

in the project. Additionally, the US can prevent regional arrangements (Loong, 2020Loong (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.).

advanced economies from cooperating with the

BRI (Zhang, 2019). Although the US and Chi- China’s Actions Within

na had cooperated for self-interested reasons in the Framework of the BRI

the past (Feigenbaum, 2020Feigenbaum (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.), in the present era The Chinese have taken a series of steps to make

they disagree over various geo-economic and progress in the Silk Road project including:

geo-strategic issues which may eventually lead Policy Coordination: Over the past five

to the failure of the BRI. The Sino-American years, China has been in full coordination with

trade war is a clear indication of increasing ten- participating countries and international organ-

sions between both parties. This war has led to izations, and has reached a broad consensus in

an escalation of tariffs on American and Chinese international cooperation to build the BRI. This

goods. It has certainly had a significantly neg- initiative and its core concepts are enshrined in

ative impact on global trade (Iqbal, Rahman & the documents of the United Nations, the G20,

Elimimian, 2019: 223). OPEC and other international and regional or-

Nevertheless, “Andrew Small”, a senior ganizations. Virtually 29 international organiza-

transatlantic fellow on the Asia program at the tions have promised to participate in the project

German Marshall Fund of the United States, told (News in Asia, 2019News in Asia (2019). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.).

Yahoo Finance: “The problem has been that [U.S. Infrastructure Connection: Infrastructure

agencies] haven't really had the means to mobi- connectivity is at the top of the BRI agenda.

lize resources to compete” with China regarding While committed to respecting the sovereignty

BRI (Swaminathan, 2020Swaminathan (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). Therefore, it is sug- and security concerns of all countries, the coun-

gested that the US administration needs to rec- tries involved in the BRI have made concerted

ognize the BRI in the US-China trade agreement efforts to build a global, multi-level, composite

as a pragmatic move to increase the likelihood of infrastructure framework centered on rail, road,

cooperation, not confrontation (Meltzer, 2017Meltzer (2017). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). sea, air and air transport. Pipelines and space

information networks are being integrated. Sig- in this project to participate in wider economic

nificant progress has been made in the construc- globalization. In this regard, China's trade with

tion of six corridors of international economic countries cooperating in the BRI has reached

cooperation including the New Eurasian Land $617.5 billion in the first half of 2019 (The Mar-

Bridge, the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic itime Executive, 2019). Indeed, the Middle East-

ern region is also part of the BRI. The BRI does Corridor (CMREC), the China-Pakistan Econot only encourage regional trade, connectivity, nomic Corridor (CPEC), the China-Central and transactions and communications in the Middle

Western Asia Economic Corridor, the China-In- East, but also creates an economic structure that

dochina Peninsula Economic Corridor, and the is not under the control of Washington (Lons,

Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Fulton, Sun & Al-Tamimi, 2019: 6).

Corridor (BCIMEC) (Belt & Road News, 2020), Financial Integration: Financial integration

which connects the Asian economic circle with is an important pillar of the BRI. The Financial

the European economic circle. These corridors Times describes the BRI as a “colossal undertak-

have played an important role in creating and ing” which could cost tens of trillion of dollars

strengthening partnerships between partici- to finance (Smits, 2017Smits (2017). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). Several key banks have

pating countries and creating an efficient and extensive relationships with participating coun-

tries, including the China Development Bank smooth Eurasian market. and the Exim Bank of China, which have played significant roles in basic financing and are engaging other banks in this project. Commercial banks such as the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the Agricultural Bank of China, the Bank of China and the China Construction Bank have strongly advocated commercial projects through their advantages in size and volume. Equity funds like the Silk Road Fund and China Investment Corporation are participating in leveraging domestic and overseas social capital and improving financial structure. Moreover, insurance organizations including the China Export and Credit Insurance Corporation have Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with Iranian also engaged in risk control and information

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. (Lu Yang/ services as part of the BRI projects (Xijun, 2019Xijun (2019). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.).

Xinhua, 2020) When China first initiated the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in 2013, it was ex-

Trade Without Restrictions: Trade without pected that it would fund many of the country’s

restrictions are a crucial objective of the BRI. newfound international infrastructure projects

The efforts invested in this initiative have led to (Shepard, 2017Shepard (2017). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). The AIIB plays a significant

the liberalization and facilitation of trade and in- role in providing financial assets to launch ini-

vestment in participating countries and regions, tiatives. In order to gain the support of Amer-

the reduction of trade costs, and the liberaliza- ican allies such as Great Britain and Australia,

tion of growth potentials. It enables participants the AIIB needs to pay attention to good gov-

ernance and transparency (Beeson, 2018: 246- ola outbreak in West Africa, and took an un-

247). Concerning the financing of the BRI, its precedented public health approach by sending

implementation is restricted by the structural 1200 workers, infrastructure, and aid to inflicted

power of the US in the global political econo- communities in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guin-

my. In fact, the US dollar may impose financial ea (Tambo, et al., 2019: 47).

constraints on implementing the project (Lai,

Lin, & Sidaway, 2020: 114-115). The goal of the BRI is to create

a new model of international relations that includes mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation, and builds partnership through dialogue instead of confrontation and friendship instead of treaty.

Facilitating the Transfer of Scientific Innovation: In 2018, China hosted 500 young scientists from various countries for research and trained more than 1,200 science and management spe-

Chinese mobile laboratory team get into a laboratory cialists. China is actively cooperating with other

in Freetown, capital of Sierra Leone, amid an Ebola

outbreak. (Xinhua, 2015Xinhua (2015). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.) countries in the BRI Technology Initiative, pro-

viding BeiDou, its navigation satellite systems, satellite communications systems, remote sensing Improving the Welfare of the People: China

is providing necessary assistance in the areas technologies and satellite meteorology. Moreo-

of poverty reduction, agriculture, education, ver, The Digital Belt and Road Program (DBAR),

health, environmental protection and other ar- launched by the Chinese Academy of Sciences,

eas through the BRI. The BRI transport projects has opened eight International Centers of Excel-

may increase the welfare of participating coun- lence (ICoE) in Morocco, Zambia, Thailand, Pa-

tries by reducing delays at the border and tariffs kistan and other countries (Sheng, 2019Sheng (2019). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.).

by half (de Soyres, Mulabdic & Ruta, 2019de Soyres, Mulabdic & Ruta (2019). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). Chi- The Road to Peace: The goal of the BRI is

na also has adopted a policy to provide medical to create a new model of international relations

support to countries involved in the BRI. For in- that includes mutual respect, fairness, justice

stance, China has implemented a China-Africa and win-win cooperation, and builds partnerpublic health cooperation program. The China– ship through dialogue instead of confrontation Africa health development initiative was signed and friendship instead of treaty. To ensure the in December 2015 in Cape Town, South Africa

(Tambo, et al., 2019: 46). It has trained several smooth implementation of the BRI, China will

thousand specialists in public health manage- work with all countries involved in the project

ment and disease prevention and control in to establish an early warning and hazard con-

collaboration with other countries involved in trol and emergency response mechanism. In

the BRI. For example, China responded to Eb- the event of a dispute, all parties to the conflict

can discuss their interests and concerns through Turkey's Position in the BRI

dialogue, not conflict. These talks will create a The Turks believe that by joining the scheme, positive development environment for BRI cothey can boost their economy and significantly operation, and help all participating countries increase their trade volume. For some time now, build a world where they respect each other's Turkey has been leaning eastward. This developcore interests and resolve disputes peacefully. ment could lead to greater economic and political cooperation between Turkey and countries

Bilateral trade between Turkey and such as China and Russia. In this regard, bilat-

China has grown from $1.4 billion eral trade between Turkey and China has grown

in 2000 to $26.3 billion in 2017 and from $1.4 billion in 2000 to $26.3 billion in 2017

China has become Turkey’s largest and China has become Turkey’s largest trading

trading partner. partner (Turkstat, 2017Turkstat (2017). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.; MFA, n.d.MFA (n.d.). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). Moreover,

Turkey, because of its strategic geographical position between Asia and Europe, provides a According to Akkan Suver, chairman of cost-effective economic corridor to major mar- Turkey's leading non-governmental organizakets (Bitmis & McGuire, 2020: 182). With the tion (NGO) called Marmara Group Foundation, emergence of political differences between Turthe BRI may “furnish the people of all countries key and the United States (its main ally in NATO) along the route with a safer, richer and more as well as strained relations with the European peaceful living environment” (Bo, 2019Bo (2019). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). In or- Union –although Turkey’s cultural and trade reder to implement the BRI, China needs to ensure lations mostly involve European countries and peace in certain regions, especially in the Middle the United States– the Turkish government is East. Regarding the US, which continues to be increasingly coordinating its foreign policy with an indispensable power in the region, China has

adopted a discrete approach of not antagoniz- Eastern countries. Through the BRI, therefore,

ing the US about sensitive issues such as Iran. Turkey intends to expand its trade and industri-

Meanwhile, Americans have sharply criticized al relations with China and Russia, and does not

China for its ongoing military presence in the intend to be a mere transit route between East

area (Lons, Fulton, Sun, & Al-Tamimi, 2019: 6). and West in this project, but it also seeks to play

So far, China has focused on geo-economic is- a strategic role between Europe and Asia. Yet, it

sues in the region, and assigned the US to deal seems that Turkey is still oscillating between the

with security matters. Undoubtedly, the BRI will West and China (Güler, 2019Güler (2019). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). Due to growing

increase the economic and energy interests of political and economic disparities between the

China in the Middle East. Therefore, China will US and China, Turkey is expecting to become an

likely be forced to handle security affairs in the ideal business partner with China (Cinar, 2020Cinar (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.).

area (Watanabe, 2019: 3). If China engages in Middle East conflict, there is a high danger to be Conclusion

sucked into the vortex. In fact, the BRI cannot be The Chinese government intends to expand its

implemented without satisfactory resolution of trade and political-cultural ties across Europe

disputes in the region (Chaziza, 2020Chaziza (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). and Africa by building railways and sea lines

within the framework of the BRI. The Chinese pines. Strengthening relationships with India is

believe that the countries along the road have the next step in US strategy in Asia. In pursuing

rich resources that can be used for development this strategy, the US has paid special attention to

and high economic growth. By implementing Middle Eastern countries, especially Egypt, Sau-

this plan, China intends to increase the volume di Arabia and Turkey. The United States is pur-

of its foreign trade. Meanwhile, this project also suing a parallel strategy to shift the supply chains

appeals to several other countries who desire to of goods and services, especially in communica-

partner with China. tions, medical goods, pharmaceuticals, and sen-

One could argue that China is unlikely to sitive industries, from China to the Americas,

achieve a global hegemonic status in the near Western Europe, India, and some Asian coun-

future and does not desire to engage with any tries to gradually prevent China from monop-

global power bloc until it completes its power olizing the global market. In this regard, the US

stroke. This is precisely the reason why the Unit- is likely to pressure countries to avoid the BRI,

ed States has taken an aggressive stance against which may result in tariff wars, bilateral trade

China to thwart its plan, and why China, on the negotiations, regional alliances, international

other hand, has taken a largely defensive stance tensions, and the malfunctioning of internation-

so as not to sacrifice its plans too early. Hence, al organizations.

the Chinese are becoming more conservative in

the face of the United States and are trying to References

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