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Class of 2016
This week, the McConnell Scholars in China attended a series of lectures at the Xi’an International Studies University. One of these lectures focused on the new Chinese initiative to revive the Silk Road, which historically connected the Middle Kingdom with Central Asia and Europe. This idea, known as One Belt, One Road, was announced by President Xi Jinping in October of 2013. Since then, it has continued to take shape and move towards reality. According to business leaders in China, the People’s Republic of China plans to invest approximately 10 trillion USD to connect the economies of nearly 62 countries in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Although I consider myself an adept follower of national and international events, I had never heard news of this move by the Chinese. In fact, none of the McConnell Scholars knew about the plans for the One Belt, One Road. With little to no media attention, we only learned about the project once we arrived in China. The lecture proposed that the massive infrastructure investment would prove beneficial to all parties involved. The two components of the plan, a Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB) and a Maritime Silk Road (MSR) would reach as far west as Germany, and as far south as Indonesia, making the global community just a bit smaller.
First, China would economically gain from the connections. The Central Asian energy resources would help meet growing Chinese needs. Additionally, further diversification of the source of energy imports would protect China from any geopolitical or natural disasters. In return, Chinese money would continue to help Central Asian nations develop and stabilize.
Next, China hopes its connections with more than sixty countries would show a natural evolution of its diplomatic stances. Former President Hu Jintao labeled his period as China’s leader as a “Harmonious World.” Although the term is difficult to define, it is meant to inspire multilateralism, tolerance, and a peaceful development. He likely developed the idea to assuage Western fears of China’s rising on the world stage. Hu believed that a Harmonious World would allow China to continue to grow without impediments. The new leader, President Xi, has evolved into a “Chinese Dream.” While the term still is meant to calm Western fears, Xi promotes China as a regional power with more activity on the world stage. In the idea of a Chinese Dream, President Xi launched the One Belt, One Road. The New Silk Road would show China’s regional influence without endangering the United States’ “sphere of influence” in Eastern Asia (Japan, South Korea). Instead, China simply looks west.
Third, the new Road is meant to continue to build relationships between Asian governments, especially between China and Russia. The hope is that the SREB running directly through Moscow will allow both sides to make money and put political differences aside. Experts believe that this political aim will be the most difficult to achieve. Because of its dependence on other governments, there are numerous places where the entire plan could fall apart. However, those same observers are optimistic about the future of the One Belt, One Road.
Although we are leaving China soon, I know the Scholars will continue to follow the development of this plan. With such a huge investment from China, there will clearly be significant progress made throughout the region. However, it will be interesting to watch the response of the United States. Will it allow China to continue to rise to economic and diplomatic superiority in Asia? Or will the U.S.’ “pivot toward Asia” interrupt China’s growth? Only time will tell, but after my experience in China, I will surely be watching.
Kevin Grout, of Florence, Ky., is a senior McConnell Scholar majoring in political science and history.