The Implications of the Maritime Silk Road Initiative for China’s Geostrategic Advance to South and Southeast Asia

Abstract

The Belt and Road Initiative carries broad implications for China`s further development and the development of her partners. Along the proposed routes, China is pushing to build a number of financing platforms and logistical hubs to support the construction of infrastructure. In addition, China takes advantage of existing regional cooperative mechanisms and many bilateral mechanisms to form a new sustainable mechanism. What is more salient to international politics are China`s new efforts to change its geostrategic posture and steadily gain real control of the international system. A new model of nonwestern oriented international cooperative mechanisms will shape a new paradigm through cooperation with emerging economies. This paper explores the strategic nature of the Maritime Silk Road Initiative based on China`s progressing geo-strategic perspective. It also attempts to examine to what extent the strategy might be able to help improve China`s image in the region and how the strategic development of the Kra Canal might affect the strategic landscape in East Asia.