The EU Observer: “Silk Road: China’s project could transform Eurasia”

Georgia is an instrumental part of the new Silk Road Economic Belt, connecting the East with the West by rejuvenating the ancient trade route.

In an article for the EU Observer, authors Raffaello Pantucci and Sarah Lane describe how China, the West and transit countries like Georgia have spent the past two years trying to find clarity in the Chinese leader’s vision and the benefits offered by the new Silk Road Economic Belt.

Georgia is aware of the potential of the revitalised trade route and has publically shown it is eager to be involved. China appreciated this stance and last week used the country as a hub to explain its vision to the world at the Tbilisi Silk Road Forum. This also put Georgia on the map as "an important partner in the project”.

The clearest message from the Tbilisi conference is the importance of cooperation and greater connectivity,” says Pantucci and Lane.

But regional connectivity does not necessarily equate to regional prosperity in itself. Increased connectivity means an increase in trade by sea, air, road and rail, but transiting goods does not always mean immediate benefits to local communities, say the authors.

If these regional connectivity plans are going to truly benefit those along the way, then more work needs to be done to identify ways in which transit countries can benefit more than simply passing on goods and commodities to their neighbours.”

Pantucci and Lane say China’s re-emergence as a Eurasian land power would "transform the entire landmass”.

"However, rather than being a purely China-dictated vision, it is clear that the intention is for countries like Georgia to engage with China on cooperatively shaping the vision and tackling the issues. China is consciously reaching out for this, as demonstrated by the Tbilisi Silk Road Forum. Now is the time for Western European countries to follow Georgia’s example to understand the benefits it can reap in further cooperation on the Silk Road.”

Read the full article here: www.euobserver.com