China's Eurasian Century?

The topic “China Eurasian Century” covers the conversation by Matte P. Goodman, Nadege Rolland, and the audience. It is an exploration of the investment being done in billions of dollars by China as part of the Belt and Road Initiative. The fund is meant to the construction of roads, ports, railways, pipelines, and communication facilities. The project will be done across the Eurasian landmass, also referred to as the “belt” and along the Indian Ocean coast, also the “road.” The physical infrastructure will be used in supporting the growing academic, political, financial, and trade networks across the region. It will be a way of China to contribute to the development of the world. Rolland conducted a survey which indicated that the long-term vision that President Xi Jinping has of creating a Western-style world and promotion of democracy will be replaced by the “stability maintenance” techniques for Chinese interests and international relations (Center for Strategic & International Studies, 2017). China believes that investing in world development will open opportunities for political and economic evolution. However, China is faced with a lack of diversity, and that may threaten the vision of creating a world with China idealists, considering that the western world is very different. Despite the obstacles, China has created an integration with nations such as Russia, sharing the division of labor and ideas to develop the world. The video talks about the vision that China has of creating a world that supports its ideas and interests. The nation has invested lots of money to support infrastructure and communication to ensure that nations throughout the world can be integrated and communicate efficiently in sharing common goals; for example, China and Russia. 

Rolland talks about the integration between political and economic projects included in the vision. Economic growth depends on political stability, which will help in creating a community destiny (Center for Strategic & International Studies, 2017). Since all nations hope to develop their infrastructure, it will unite nations to work on shared ideas such as the development of water and road transport. China is using a friendly way, which is economical to appeal to the world. Rolland indicates that if China were to declare that its aim was political, it would be offensive due to its relation with stripping other nations of their freedom; however, each country is after economic growth and international exchange through trade. The lack of diversity in China is another issue covered. The culture of China is different from the west, but they are required to find a way to be part of Eurasian diversity. China cannot be able to finance the Eurasian project alone, and that is why they need to advocate for the project more as a way of attracting other investors throughout the world. I feel that China is funding the Belt and Road Initiative for selfish interests. The aim of president Xi Jinping is to create a world that follows the stability maintenance techniques used in China by replacing democracy and the rule of law used in the Western world. The new world would be more accommodating to Chinese political and economic development, which is unfair considering that western characteristics are adopted in most parts of the world. The project would result in conflicts between China and the United States. America is a superpower, and China is trying to get the same position through contributions to world development, thus causing a threat. Therefore, the United States may not be willing to contribute to the Eurasia project, despite the associated economic and transport advantages. However, China’s Eurasian Century will benefit the world due to improved transportation and communication infrastructure. The economic landscape of the world will grow with increased international trade. 

Reference 

Center for Strategic & International Studies. (2017, August 2). China’s Eurasian Century. Retrieved October 9, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL9XtKDHPGg