Lucia Husenicova

(Editor-in-chief of Euro-Atlantic Quarterly, Slovak Atlantic

Commission)

Author

Lucia Husenicova is Lecturer and Coordinator in MatejBel University, Slovakia. She gives lectures and seminars on International relations theories and also lectures on the development of security relations in East Asia as well as foreign policy and security strategies of world powers (China, US, Russia). She is also Editor-in-chief of Euro-Atlantic Quarterly, Slovak Atlantic Commission.

Abstract

Silk Road Economic Belt initiative of PRC can be seen from three interconnected perspectives. First is the security perspective, second is the economic perspective and last is the geopolitical or foreign political perspective. The presented paper is focusing mainly on the security and political perspectives, taking the economic aspect only as an additional feature of the issue, however inherently connected to the two analyzed. When looking at the security perspective/pillar it has its internal as well as external implications. From the white papers of Chinese security published annually and regarding the recent attacks in China, economic development of the Silk Road in Xinjiang will have deep security implications. External relations with neighbors have been already strengthened through the SCO, but the Economic Belt can also play an additional role in this regard. Concerning the geopolitical perspective, the Silk Road can be seen through the classical geopolitical texts as an integral part of the concept of Heartland that is a key region for the whole Eurasia continent. In this perspective the formula 16+1 can also be seen as a part of the Economic Belt initiative, since the Eastern Europe is by some seen as part of the Heartland. In addition, the Silk Road can represent an important tool in Chinese foreign policy and diplomacy, as China is re-establishing her position as regional power. The paper aims to bring a security and geopolitical overview and analyze the rational of Chinese activities in this regard. It mainly focuses on the possible explanation of the development not through the analysis of specific plans and documents but tries to put the initiative into a bigger picture connecting the different areas and aims of Chinese foreign policy in middle- and long-term.