Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of Tables
- Acknowledgments
- 1 The Rise of China: Political Worldview and Chinese Exceptionalism
- 2 Chinese Political Worldview: IR with Chinese Characteristics
- 3 Who is China?
- 4 Chinese National Image and Global Leadership
- 5 The Belt and Road and the Path to Chinese Greatness
- 6 Perceiving China: Case Studies from Indonesia and Vietnam
- 7 Deciphering China: Views from Singapore
- 8 Conclusion: From Chinese Exceptionalism to Chinese Universality
- 9 Afterword: Covid-19 and the Limits of Chinese Exceptionalism
- Bibliography
- Index
5 - The Belt and Road and the Path to Chinese Greatness
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 May 2021
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of Tables
- Acknowledgments
- 1 The Rise of China: Political Worldview and Chinese Exceptionalism
- 2 Chinese Political Worldview: IR with Chinese Characteristics
- 3 Who is China?
- 4 Chinese National Image and Global Leadership
- 5 The Belt and Road and the Path to Chinese Greatness
- 6 Perceiving China: Case Studies from Indonesia and Vietnam
- 7 Deciphering China: Views from Singapore
- 8 Conclusion: From Chinese Exceptionalism to Chinese Universality
- 9 Afterword: Covid-19 and the Limits of Chinese Exceptionalism
- Bibliography
- Index
Summary
Abstract
This chapter looks at the Belt and Road Initiative as a case study of China's claim to exceptionalism in global affairs. I argue that, as a form of economic statecraft, the BRI is conceived with the primary goal of generating Chinese political influence abroad. Through a study of the existing scholarship, I argue that three key themes frame Chinese IR scholars’ discussion of the BRI: (I) the rules of the international system; (II) the competition for regional influence; and (III) China's own domestic affairs and responsibility to its own people. Taken together, these themes provide important clues about how the BRI is conceptualized to promote a sense of Chinese exceptionalism.
Keywords: Belt and Road Initiative, economic statecraft, international system, Chinese domestic politics
In 2013, China proposed the establishment of a Silk Road Economic Belt and a 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. The Silk Road Economic Belt was focused on promoting the development of China's Western territories and would span a region from Central Asia to Europe, while the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road would promote economic cooperation would promote economic cooperation through Southeast Asia, South Asia to Europe, including fostering links between the coastal regions. Originally termed One Belt One Road (OBOR), it was renamed the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2016.1 The proposal was framed as an initiative by which China could strengthen its relations with countries around the world while also shouldering greater responsibilities and obligations on the international stage.
As noted in Chapter 4, China wants to promote a favorable national image of itself to the outside world, which would help encourage others to accept its political worldview. The Belt and Road Initiative represents a key centerpiece of China's international outreach strategy, especially the articulation of its desired global order. This is vividly demonstrated by the speeches made by Chinese leaders – led by President Xi Jinping – touting the benefits and opportunities that the Belt and Road Initiative would bring to not just China, but also the countries throughout the world that are economically connected to China.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- China's Political Worldview and Chinese ExceptionalismInternational Order and Global Leadership, pp. 119 - 144Publisher: Amsterdam University PressPrint publication year: 2021