The New Silk Road
The New Silk Road
China explains its Belt and Road Initiative
On October 10, 2023, in anticipation of the October 17-18 Forum of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China's State Council Information Office released a 40-page, 15,000-word white paper entitled "The Belt and Road Initiative: A Key Pillar of the Global Community of Shared Future.” The white paper explains the history, purpose, goals, and achievements of the BRI in its first ten years. The white paper seeks to deepen understanding of the initiative, thus facilitating even further advances, not only of benefit to China, but to many countries and peoples.
The white paper notes that in March 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed a global community with a shared vision for its future. In September and October of that year, Xi put forth the notion of joining with others in building a Silk Road Economic Belt and a 21st Centuy Maritime Silk Road, which were designated as the Belt and Road Initiative, or BRI. During the past ten years, the white paper observes, the BRI has evolved from a vision to a reality that is recognized by the international community as beneficial for humanity.
The Silk Road spirit
The white paper reviews the historic importance of the Chinese ancient silk road, which came into being more than 2,000 years ago, and which ultimately enabled cooperation and communication among the peoples of different nationalities, civilizations, and religions, to the mutual benefit of all.
“At around 140 BC during China's Han Dynasty, Zhang Qian, a royal emissary, made a journey to the West from Chang'an (present-day Xi'an in Shaanxi Province), opening an overland route linking the East and the West. Centuries later, in the years of the Tang, Song and Yuan dynasties, silk routes boomed both over land and at sea, facilitating trade between the East and the West. In the early 15th century, Zheng He, the famous Chinese navigator of the Ming Dynasty, made seven voyages to the Western Seas, which boosted trade along the maritime silk routes.
“For thousands of years the ancient silk routes served as major arteries of interaction, spanning the valleys of the Nile, the Tigris and Euphrates, the Indus and Ganges, and the Yellow and Yangtze rivers. They connected the birthplaces of the Egyptian, Babylonian, Indian and Chinese civilizations, the lands of the believers of Buddhism, Christianity and Islam, and the homes of peoples of different nationalities and races. These routes increased connectivity among countries on the Eurasian continent, facilitated exchanges and mutual learning between Eastern and Western civilizations, boosted regional development and prosperity, and shaped the Silk Road spirit characterized by peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit.
“Symbolizing communication and cooperation between the East and the West, the millennia-old silk routes demonstrated that by upholding solidarity and mutual trust, equality and mutual benefit, inclusiveness and mutual learning, and win-win cooperation, countries of different ethnic groups, beliefs and cultural backgrounds could share peace and achieve development together.” (Emphasis added).
The white paper notes, without attempting to explain why, that the ancient silk routes had been interrupted by the fourteenth century. The vacuum was filled by the European “Age of Discovery,” led by the Portuguese during the fifteenth century, which was a military/economic form of expansion. The Age of Discovery, the white paper observes, was integral to a fundamental change in the course of human society, marking the advent of the modern era, characterized by technological revolutions, the development of the productive forces, and the globalization of the economy. The rapid advance of economic globalization and technological development, the white paper further observes, intensified in the 1990s, facilitating an advance in the progress of human society.
However, the white paper correctly observes, economic globalization has been dominated by a few countries, and it therefore “has not contributed to the common development that delivers benefits to all.” Instead, it has created a world order characterized by a “wealth gap between rich and poor, between developed and developing countries, and within developed countries.” Many developing countries have lost their capacity for independent development, leaving them with limited access to “the track of modernization.” Certain countries practice unilateralism and hegemonism, which hampers a form of globalization that promotes economic development, the master key to resolving all problems.
This global situation, in which a few countries dominate economic development and control the economic rules, is no longer acceptable, the white paper declares. It does not endeavor to explain why the unequal and undemocratic world system, after developing along these lines for five centuries, is no longer acceptable. I would suggest that there are two fundamental factors. First, after having rooted their economic development in the conquest of new lands and peoples, the world powers have run out of lands and peoples to conquer. Secondly, driven from the beginning by the universal human desire for freedom from foreign domination, the conquered peoples have been able to accumulate, step-by-step, the required political and economic resources for mounting a sustained and unified political struggle for the transformation of the structures of the world-system, such that they are constructing an alternative, more just world order. Thus, the Chinese desire to a return to the splendor of its ancient civilization now joins with the Third World struggle to construct a more just world. The world powers, in economic decline and moral decadence, can stop this process only through violence, which poses great risks for humanity.
The white paper maintains that, when one is aware of the fundamental inequalities of globalization, it is possible to idealistically imagine a return to a pre-modern condition of seclusion or isolation; or I would add, a new localism. But this is an impossibility, because “economic globalization remains an irreversible trend.” The best option, the white paper insists, involves adjustments in globalization, such that the inevitable process of globalization would be made “more open, inclusive, balanced, and beneficial to all.”
The attainment of such a modern globalization with adjustments is the goal of the Belt and Road Initiative, the white paper maintains. It seeks a form of globalization that is beneficial for all.
In formulating an understanding of a better form of globalization, China reflects on her own experiences. Since the reform and opening up,1 which began in 1978, “China has achieved rapid economic growth through positive interactions with the rest of the world” that were beneficial to all parties, and thus they were “expanding the option for other developing countries to achieve modernization.” In this way, China’s rapid economic growth has been a strong force for global economic stability and growth.
Based on China’s experience, the BRI endeavors to make economic development more dynamic, inclusive, and sustainable, not only for China but also for the world. The BRI is based in a recognition that humanity has common interests that are inseparably intertwined; its ultimate goal is to “help build a global community of shared future.” The vision is timely, the white paper notes, because the world is moving toward multipolarity and cultural diversity.
The BRI includes countries in different regions, in different stages of development, and with different cultures, and it transcends differences in ideologies. Despite such differences, the countries are sharing opportunities in order that all will develop and “will build a community of shared interests.” From this process emerges both economic integration and mutual political trust. The BRI “will take humanity to a better future.” The BRI “provides not only a conceptual framework but also a practical roadmap for all nations to achieve shared development and prosperity.”
But human society faces grave threats, the white paper observes. Human society needs a more just, equitable, balanced, and effective global governance system. We must “make the right historic choice.” China, as a “major developing country,” seeks to fulfill its responsibilities by keeping in mind the “common interests of humanity.” China can play a central role in the BRI, because of its economic size, its experience in infrastructure construction, and its capacity to produce low-cost high-quality equipment in industry, technology, and management.
The Principles of the Belt and Road Initiative
The white paper declares that the BRI “advocates win-win cooperation in pursuit of the greater good and shared interests. It emphasizes that all countries are equal participants, contributors and beneficiaries, and encourages economic integration, interconnected development, and the sharing of achievements.”
The BRI is characterized by extensive consultation, a collaborative effort involving all stakeholders, with collective decision-making and equal participation. It seeks collective wisdom through effective communication. It imposes no pre-conditions on potential partners; it seeks voluntary engagement. It is a platform for dialogue.
The BRI is not a Chinese international aid program but “a collaborative effort for shared development.” It seeks coordination with the development strategies of the countries and regions involved. In order to attain extensive participation, it supports the involvement of market-oriented operations, in which businesses are the main actors while governments build platforms and establish policy guidelines.
In addition, the initiative includes the principle of shared benefits. This concept “underscores the importance of win-win cooperation. It aims to identify common interests and grounds for cooperation, meet the development needs of all parties, and address the real concerns of the people.”
Furthermore, “most participants are developing countries, all seeking to leverage collective strengths to address challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, lagging industrial development, limited industrialization, insufficient capital and technology, and a shortage of skilled workers, to promote their own economic and social development.” China provides assistance to partners to the extent of its capabilities, supporting other developing countries in accelerating development.
The BRI is open to all the world, the white paper declares. China does not seek to form exclusive clubs or cliques. China is not seeking to form military alliances.
China, therefore, is proposing a new model of cooperation. “The goals are to develop a new model of cooperation based on win-win outcomes, shared responsibility, and collective participation, build a global network of partnerships, and nurture a harmonious coexistence for humanity.”
China, in other words, is offering a new model of international relations that rejects the hegemonic world order.
“The BRI goes beyond the law of the jungle and the hegemonic order based on power struggles. It rejects zero-sum thinking and discards the Cold War mentality of ideological rivalry and geopolitical competition. Instead, it paves the way for peaceful development, and aims to offer a fundamental approach to lasting peace and universal security. Under the BRI, nations respect each other's sovereignty, dignity, territorial integrity, development path, social system, core interests, and major concerns. As the initiator of the BRI, China passionately campaigns for the establishment of a new model of international relations characterized by mutual respect, equity, justice, and win-win cooperation. It is committed to building partnerships based on dialogue rather than confrontation, and friendship rather than alliance, and to fostering a new vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. These efforts help to create a peaceful and stable development environment.”
The alternative model is the road to prosperity for all. “The BRI is committed to building a prosperous future that diverges from the exploitative colonialism of the past, avoids coercive and one-sided transactions, rejects the center-periphery model of dependency, and refuses to displace crisis onto others or exploit neighbors for self-interest. Instead, it aims to achieve win-win outcomes and shared development and prosperity.”
The Achievements of the Belt and Road Initiative
The white paper reports on major infrastructure projects completed or underway in designated corridors connecting subregions in Asia and Europe: New Eurasian Land Bridge, China-Indochina Peninsula Economic Corridor, China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor, China-Central Asia-West Asia Economic Corridor, Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor. And it reports that “in Africa, railways such as the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway and the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway are now operational and have become important drivers of in-depth development not only in East Africa but across the entire continent.” In addition, the China-Europe Railway Express connects more than 200 cities in twenty-five European countries.
Maritime connectivity is steadily improving. “The Silk Road Maritime network has continued to expand. By the end of June 2023, it had reached 117 ports in 43 countries, and more than 300 well-known Chinese and international shipping companies, port enterprises and think tanks, among other bodies, have joined the Silk Road Maritime association.
In addition, the white paper reports that air connections among countries participating in the SRI is steadily improving. “China has signed bilateral air transport agreements with 104 BRI partner countries and opened direct flights with 57 partner countries.”
The White Paper presented data showing the increase of trade between China and BRI partner countries. From 2013 to 2022, the cumulative value of imports and exports increased 6.4% per year, reaching US$19.1 trillion. The cumulative two-way investment between China and partner countries reached US$380 billion, with US$240 billion from China.
In addition, financial mechanisms are developing, the white paper reports. The China Development Bank has facilitated the establishment of several multilateral financial cooperation mechanisms. Thirteen Chinese-funded banks have established 145 first-tier offices and branches in fifty BRI partner countries. And China has signed bilateral currency agreements with twenty partner countries.
Cooperation with partner countries also has included educational exchanges and people-to-people exchanges. Notable advances have been made in health cooperation, including the training of professionals and the dispatching of medical teams to partner countries. China provided assistance after the outbreak of Covid-19 to more than 120 BRI partner countries; and it conducted joint vaccine production with more than twenty countries. Cooperation also has been advancing with BRI partner countries with respect to green and low-carbon development; scientific, technological, and digital cooperation; and the launching of communication satellites.
Reform or peaceful revolutionary construction?
During the evolution of my understanding of Chinese foreign policy objectives during the last few years, I have interpreted China as providing leadership in the peaceful construction of an alternative world order, a different order characterized by respect for the sovereign equality of nations. But the white paper expresses it differently: the BRI “is not aimed at designing a new international system, but rather supplementing and improving the existing mechanisms.” To be sure, the peaceful alternative construction does include efforts to reform the UN system and the structures of world governance. However, Chinese development of her international relations tends to ignore existing exploitative economic structures and to create new structures through cooperation with its partners, without asking for approval from any of the world powers or existing organizations of world governance.
At the same time, the white paper goes on to support the notion that China’s project is not one of reform but one of creative, alternative construction. It states that “all parties involved uphold the core values and fundamental principles of the multilateral trading system,” which, I would note, stand in contradiction with the hegemonic and unilateral practices of the world powers. The white paper continues in this same vein. “Together, participants will establish an open and cooperative platform, safeguard and promote an open global economy, create an environment conducive to open development, construct a fair, equitable and transparent system of international trade and investment rules, and advance cooperation based on win-win outcomes, shared responsibility and collective participation.” So, it can be seen that creative, alternative construction based on cooperation is explicitly stated in the white paper.
The United Nations has officially endorsed the Belt and Road Initiative, which suggests that the BRI ought to be seen as reform. But the BRI represents a reform that would fundamentally transform the structures of the world economy. In terms of governance, it does not seek to replace four or five governing powers with four or five others. Rather, it would replace rule by four or five powers with a structure that would facilitate equal access and voice for all the member nations, thus envisioning a process of change on the international plane analogous to a people’s revolution. With respect to goals and values, “the BRI takes a people-centered approach, with the focus on poverty eradication, job creation, and improvement of people's wellbeing to ensure that the benefits of cooperation reach all individuals.” Such goals, as is evident, are fundamentally different from those of elites that control the established world order, which are driven by profit in practice. The BRI envisions the assuming of control of the institutions of global governance by the governments of the world, so that the governments would be free to respond to the needs and aspirations of the people.
The dialogue of civilizations and world peace
China offers to the world the possibilities for a sustained dialogue of civilizations developed in practice with an integral connection to productive and commercial activities. It offers the possibility for the search in everyday practice for mutually beneficial commercial and cultural relations.
Mutually beneficial economic relations are the best guarantee of world peace, because it would be irrational for a nation to wage war against a nation with which it has a beneficial commercial relation. A world guided by the common development of all and the seeking of the common understanding of all, is a world that has structural incentives for peace.
In the vision of the Belt Road Initiative, all have a common interest in peace. As the white paper declares, “peace is a prerequisite for development, while development serves as the foundation for peace.”
The vision of China is fundamentally different from the ideas that have guided the imperialist powers during the last five centuries, a process in which China did not participate, except as a partial victim of European colonial expansionism. The concepts of the established world-system contributed to rapid advances in productivity, but they generated inequalities in wealth and power, and today they are outdated. A world based on the Silk Road spirit of the ancient Chinese civilization is today the best road for securing a common sustainable future for human society, with structural supports for common development and world peace and prosperity. Such a direction for humanity would not mean that China would win and the USA would lose, because it would be a world in which all would win.
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Since the declaration of the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949, the Chinese socialist project has evolved through three stages. (1) The period of “socialist revolution and reconstruction” from 1949 to 1978, characterized by the consolidation of state power and the socialist transformation of agriculture and industry (see “Mao: The foundation of China today,” June 14, 2022). (2) The period of “reform, opening, and socialist modernization” from 1978 to 2012, when agricultural and industrial enterprises, state-owned and private, were permitted to sell products to domestic and foreign markets, under state direction in accordance with a long-term development plan. The reform and opening had enormous success in unleashing economic productivity. See “China models a new type of socialism,” June 10, 2022. (3) The third stage, led by Xi Jinping, was launched at the 2012 National Congress of the Communist Party of China. It has focused on inequality, poverty, ecological concerns, and corruption, all of which had intensified during the second stage. See “Xi Jinping: The deepening of socialism with Chinese characteristics,” June 17, 2022. In addition, it ought to be appreciated that people’s democracy, which includes a system of direct and indirect elections and multiparty cooperation led by the Communist Party of China, was created in the first stage (see “Political Structures in Socialist China: A people’s alternative to Western representative democracy,” October 8, 2021; and “Chinese democracy works: Western representative democracy no longer has legitimacy,” August 23, 2022).