'Silk road' diplomacy for inclusive growth

That China is not merely seeking regional cooperation with its western neighbors is evident from Xi's visit to South Asia where he mooted the idea of building a Mongolia-China-India-Myanmar economic corridor, which is needed to geographically and economically link the two "silk roads".

Last year, India had expressed doubts about such a north-south corridor because the India-Myanmar border is still "closed" because of the rampant militancy in India's northeastern states which border Myanmar. So by choosing India as the last stop on his four-nation tour, Xi sought to reassure New Delhi of Beijing's concrete efforts to enhance economic ties by promising to invest $20 billion in India in the next five years.

If a Eurasian free trade zone or market becomes reality, it will have a huge impact on the global economic landscape and world order for three reasons. First, as part of China's efforts to promote inclusive development, the "silk roads", unlike ocean routes-based globalization, attach greater importance to relatively less developed landlocked countries such as Mongolia and Kazakhstan, and aims to help them catch up with the well-off coastal states.

Second, apart from promoting trade and cultural exchanges, the proposed "silk roads" are a perfect interpretation of China's peaceful development. As an emerging power not aligned with the United States, China can only rent or co-build a port to ensure smooth navigation in the seas and serve the needs of its aircraft carrier Liaoning in international waters. And the proposed "silk roads" can help it do that.

And third, compared with the goals of the EU-proposed Eurasian integration from Lisbon to Vladivostok, those of the "silk roads" are more achievable and inclusive. In addition, it will help counter the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership and Transatlantic Trade And Investment Partnership which are aimed at excluding China from closer trade cooperation by taking high standards. Therefore, the "silk roads" proposal will reshape the world order in a constructive way.

The author is a professor of international relations at Renmin University of China.