China’s New Diplomatic Blueprint for South Asia

President Xi Jinping (third right), accompanied by Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa (second right), visits the China-Sri Lanka Cooperation Project at the South Container Terminal, Port of Colombo on September 17, 2014.

“One Belt, One Road”

President Xi’s South Asian tour plays a significant role in building up the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, China’s new leadership has taken a positive stance on diplomatic issues, and put a premium on neighborhood diplomacy. Put forward by President Xi last year, the proposal of “One Belt, One Road” has become a signpost for China’s strategy to neighboring countries. At the same time, the strategic position of South Asia has been upgraded and recognized as an indispensable part of “One Belt, One Road.” The Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor and the Pakistan-China Economic Corridor, proposed by Premier Li Keqiang during his first visit to India, have become an important part of this concept. 

As important stops along the ancient maritime Silk Road, the Maldives and Sri Lanka remain vital to China’s maritime trade transportation because of their prime location between the Middle East and South Asia. Their attitudes are directly relevant to the development of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen believes the concept proposed by President Xi is visionary. The Maldives supports the projects and is willing to seize the opportunity and actively participate in relevant cooperation. China said in a joint communiqué that it welcomes the Maldives to participate in the construction of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and indicates its willingness to work together with the Maldives to cement bilateral traditional friendship and deepen cooperation hence to achieve common developments.  

Sri Lanka, the pearl of the Indian Ocean, has become an important partner for China in the region. China and Sri Lanka’s joint work to build the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road offers a marvelous opportunity for development on both sides. Meanwhile, support from Sri Lanka is of great significance for China to strengthen its economic ties with Southeast Asia, Africa and Europe. 

India, while displaying some reservations concerning “One Belt, One Road,” agrees with the premise of linking up its strategy of economic development with the projects, which means China’s advantages and India’s development demands will be closely integrated. At the same time, it promises to facilitate the construction of the BCIM Economic Corridor.