CONTEMPORARY EURASIA VOLUME VIII (1) ContemporaryEurasia81 | Page 67

BENIAMIN MAILYAN
good relations with China a possible counterweight to Russia’s dominance in
the region.
In the modern world, there is enough variety of alternative projects
that could easily complement other and even become platforms for the
development of completely new integration processes. In 2013, Chinese
President Xi Jinping put forward a new strategic idea of reviving the Silk
Road and the association of his country into a single economic zone – the
“Silk Road Economic Belt”. At the core of this initiative lies the idea that the
world-famous ancient trade corridor still has plenty of untapped
opportunities. The concept of “Economic Zone – New Silk Road” is based
on a number of key points – political cooperation, sharing of road networks,
free trade, unrestricted circulation of money and the pooling of interests of
different nations. It emphasizes that the coordination of their actions will be
with the unconditional preservation of existing natural differences between
them. Accumulated experience in the period of “reform and openness” has
allowed Beijing to make the conclusion that economic penetration is more
important than direct political control. This follows ancient principles of
Chinese strategy – “win without fighting”, to be flexible, accurate dosage
and direct impact on the key points of different regions and countries. The
method of implementation of this strategy is the ancient doctrine, “Wu wei”.
Its essence: no dictates and cooperation. Chinese leaders say that the
Celestial Empire is committed to developing their relations on the basis of
the five principles of peaceful coexistence with all countries of the
international community without exception. 11 For the successful
implementation of their ambitious economic reforms, this great Eastern
country needs a long-term and lasting international order based on the
stability of relations. Chinese experts believe that the “Silk Road Economic
Belt” will also give a new boost to the development of China’s economic
cooperation with Russia and the Central Asian countries and its integration
in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). <…> China will be able
to gain more access to the CIS markets, which will assist its sustainable
economic development and create conditions for forming a free trade area
within the borders of the SCO member states. <…> By putting forward its
project, the PRC is in no way aiming to damage the interests of Russia,
bilateral relations with which it highly values. The main motivation behind
this project is a natural desire for economic cooperation. <…> Cooperation
is the best format for meeting the interests of both countries; competition
aimed at pushing out the rival will be detrimental for both of them. <…> It is
Diplomatic Relations Between China and Georgia”], Rénmín Rìbào, June 8, 2007,
http://russian.people.com.cn/31521/5840911.html (accessed April 5, 2019).
11
“Posol KNR w Gruzii vystupil s lekciej «Vnešnjaja politika Kitaja»”, (in Russian),
[“Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Georgia Delivered a Lecture on "China's
Foreign Policy"], Rénmín Rìbào, March 16, 2012, http://russian.
people.com.cn/31520/7760357.html (accessed April 2, 2019).
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