China Heads West: Beijing's New Silk Road to Europe

Der Spiegel ^ | August 31, 2016 – 06:40 PM | Erich Follath

[Olog-hai]

China is building new roads, railroads and pipelines from Central Asia to Europe in an effort to build new connections to the rest of the world. The results may be good for the Chinese — but less so for the other countries involved. […]

Xi Jinping, 63, the president of China and general secretary of the Communist Party, wants to revive the myth and build a New Silk Road, in large parts along the old trade route. It would mark the return of a legend. For some time now, many of his speeches have included references to “yi dai yi lu,” or “a belt, a road.” It is a gigantic project, and China envisions about 60 countries being involved, or about half of humanity.

China wants to expand trade along the route and develop infrastructure. Beijing has earmarked $40 billion (€€36 billion) for the project, to be invested in building new roads, and in railroads, pipelines and ports from Lithuanian to the Horn of Africa, Sri Lanka to Israel, and Pakistan to Iran. Two railroad lines lead to Germany, one from Zhengzhou to Hamburg and the other from Chongqing to Duisburg. …

[SeeSharp]

I think it’s a great idea, but there’s this little thing in the way called Russia.

[Olog-hai]

They’re not in the way. Russia and China have a number of agreements in place that is allowing this to be expedited.

And anything that makes Red China stronger means making the left stronger.

[elcid1970]

The railways could pass through the former Soviet states in Central Asia & then cross through only a small Russian corridor north of the Caucasian states.

Anyway, Putin plays Realpolitik like a chess master. This isn’t Khrushchev vs. Mao anymore.

[Jimmy Valentine]

I have maintained for some time that the China Sea is China’s back door. The front door faces west through Russia towards Europe. Vladimir Putin is in for a big surprise.