Thirteenth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

Reminiscent of the ancient Silk Road formed during the Han Dynasty, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) evokes powerful memories of China’s glorious past and standing in the international system, and has significant implications on international relations. This paper critically examines how and under what conditions the BRI is able to shape the structure of international economic and political interactions in China’s image through a mixed methods approach. Given the highly interdependent nature of the world today, a country’s ability to exert geoeconomic and geopolitical power in the international system will not only depend on its own economic and military capabilities, but also its position in global networks. Consequently, I first use social network analysis to assess the evolution of China’s position in both trade and security networks, drawing on novel data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the Alliance Treaty Obligations and Provisions Project (ATOP). I then qualitatively evaluate the consequences of the BRI on China’s position in these networks, with implications on the structure of international relations. I argue that the BRI would further cement China’s central position in international trade and global value chains (GVCs) but the structure of international security arrangements would remain largely unchanged, with the West still highly dominant despite China’s rising political and military influence. This paper adopts both international political economy and security studies perspectives in understanding how the BRI would impact international interactions.