Constructing the “One Belt and One Road” Tangram

III. High Degree of Political

"One belt and one road" is a tough project which faces complicated challenges. The core challenge is the endlessly emerging safety issues and conflicts among the countries on the vast Eurasian Continent and along the coast, including the threats from terrorism, ethnic separatism and religious extremism, geopolitical conflicts triggered by territory disputes, lasting turmoil caused by national conflicts and disputes over territorial waters and sea rights. For this reason some observers and media in the international community are skeptical about the initiatives.

But such a pessimistic outlook ignores the value and effect of the partnerships that have been built by China in its diplomatic history. Many countries along the routes are strategic cooperation partners of China. Take Kazakhstan, Serbia and Thailand as examples. Those countries have formed profound friendship and enjoy a high-degree of political mutual trust with China, thus laying down a solid foundation for the construction of one belt and one road. Those countries have also exerted a positive influence on their neighbors to build a relationship with China. From another perspective, one of the key reasons for the outbreak of safety-related contentions lies in the conflicts of interests. However, the construction of one belt and one road will unite nations' interests and help cultivate a can-do attitude, which is conducive to promoting cooperation among disputing countries. That is an additional positive effect of the Belt and Road initiatives.

IV. Sub-regional Organizations and Mechanisms

In promoting the Belt and Road Initiatives, sub-regional cooperation mechanisms that China has established with countries and regions in the belt and road areas will play key roles. This was evidenced at the 13th prime ministers' meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the third China-Central and Eastern European (CEE) Leaders' Meeting, and the fifth summit of the Greater Mekong Sub-region Economic Cooperation, which Premier Li Keqiang attended.

The Joint Communiqué released by the SCO prime ministers' meeting last December stated that the attending prime ministers welcome China's Silk Road Economic Belt Initiative and declared that it was important for SCO member countries to negotiate and cooperate under the initiative's framework. A statement following the third China-CEE Leaders' Meeting elaborated on 10 aspects of bilateral cooperation in promoting connectivity. At the fifth summit of the Greater Mekong Sub-region Economic Cooperation, all delegates positively responded to China's proposal on strengthening connectivity. These three cooperative mechanisms, connecting Central Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, and the Indo-China Peninsula, which all fall under the belt and road, bring China's sub-regional diplomatic cooperation into full play, thus effectively boosting the schemes.

V. Transportation Network

One of the major goals of the Belt and Road schemes is to expand the traffic capacities of the regions involved by effectively connecting regional transportation networks. The countries along the proposed belt and road have different features and advantages in transportation. While promoting regional connectivity, diversity should be kept in mind and taken advantage of in order to enhance transportation networks based on existing conditions.

One striking highlight in recent moves of the Belt and Road Initiatives is the construction of the Belgrade-Budapest railroad. In November 2013, China, Serbia and Hungary declared they would jointly build the railway line. Last December, at the third China-Central and Eastern European (CEE) Leaders' Meeting, the related countries unanimously agreed to extend the railroad within reach of over 32 million people to Piraeus, Greece, and jointly build the Central European land-sea express. The railway line will serve as a new convenient transportation line for China's exports to Europe and European exports to China, significantly enlarge China-Europe trade scale, and fuel development of countries along the route, thus narrowing regional divides and promoting the balanced development of the whole European Continent.

Meanwhile, construction of an 800-kilometer-long railway line connecting the north and south of Thailand, a cooperation project with China, has also made significant headway. China's technology, standards and equipment are adopted in the project, which is expected to bring about a surge in the economic development of the Greater Mekong sub-region.

VI. Diversified Cooperation

The appeal of the Belt and Road Initiatives comes from the huge cooperation benefits, which have launched the proposals into the world spotlight and made them welcomed and applauded by the affected countries. Against the backdrop of a sluggish world economic recovery, the initiatives are expected to fuel the development of related countries and smooth their economic transition by upgrading industries, improving infrastructure and strengthening cooperation in diverse fields including investment, financing and energy. During the process, China's advantageous equipment manufacturing and industries will enable all parties to complement each other's advantages through trade and cooperation.

The Belt and Road Initiatives have immeasurable potential and benefits to be tapped, and not just for China. For example, Kazakhstan is currently carrying out large-scale infrastructure construction and a plan to revitalize its economy; with China's help, Kazakhstan could accelerate its development.

VII. Cultural Exchanges Smoothing the Initiatives

Cultural exchanges will play an indispensable role in the Belt and Road projects. The core of connectivity is to realize people-to-people exchanges and strengthen them in multiple fields including science, environmental protection, culture, education and media. By promising returns for the people, the initiatives will gain support and ultimately promote mutual understanding and friendship across borders.

Through "one belt and one road," a China craze is taking shape and sweeping Eurasia. China's continuing rise is generating a new driving force for the international community to go onwards and upwards together.