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For a long time, I was quite puzzled by the Road-and-Belt initiative. Then I saw a map much like this one - but which included it's current land route through R
by Nomentatus 8y ago
For a long time, I was quite puzzled by the Road-and-Belt initiative. Then I saw a map much like this one - but which included it's current land route through Russia; and realized that the road to Europe, through Iran, is probably key. Previously, all Chinese trade with Europe going by land went through Russia. Although there are undoubtedly many purposes behind Road-and-Belt, including building up heavy construction capacity partly on other country's dime; I concluded that China forsees the possibility of being at odds with Russia, perhaps even in the near term - or later at a time when they are less dependent on Russian carbon fuels - and that China wants to ensure that any such confrontations happen without interfering with its economy.
- hackermailman 8y agoI don't think the plans have anything to do with future Russian relations, the reasons are better explained here than businessinsider tabloid spam https://www.strategy-business.com/feature/A-Strategists-Guide-to-Chinas-Belt-and-Road-Initiative https://www.strategy-business.com/feature/A-Strategists-Guid... Basically they want to spread their currency, expand their market to all regional neighbors and provide political/economic stability to the various regimes around them. The separatist East Turkestan crackdown has been happening for decades long before they imagined this initiative https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Turkestan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Turkestan
- Nomentatus 8y agoI had read these explanations, but found them insufficient. You don't mention the G5/optic cable angle, which I think is a better argument on your side: https://www.wired.com/story/china-will-likely-corner-5g-market-us-no-plan/ https://www.wired.com/story/china-will-likely-corner-5g-mark...
- Leary 8y agoChinese trade with Europe goes through the ocean, which is dominated by the US navy. BRI is a way to find a land route.
- Nomentatus 8y agoWe agree, then.