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Vol. 6 No. 2 (2018)
Space and Culture, India

Research

“Silk Road Travelers”: China or the USA?

https://doi.org/10.20896/saci.v6i2.338

Published 2018-07-10

  • Aigerim Nuralievna Ospanova
    • ,
  • Lazat Nurbaevna Nursultanova
    • ,
  • Ruslan Batyrzhanovich Abdullin
    • ,
  • Andrei Sergeevich Shenin
    • ,
  • Aliya Serikbolovna Akhmet

Aigerim Nuralievna Ospanova
L.N.Gumilyov Eurasian National University

Lazat Nurbaevna Nursultanova
L.N.Gumilyov Eurasian National University, 2, Satpayev, Astana, 000001, Republic of Kazakhstan

Ruslan Batyrzhanovich Abdullin
Kostanai Social-Technical University (named after academician Zulkharnai Aldamzhar) 27, Gerzena, Kostanay, 110000, Republic of Kazakhstan

Andrei Sergeevich Shenin
L.N.Gumilyov Eurasian National University, 2, Satpayev, Astana, 000001, Republic of Kazakhstan

Aliya Serikbolovna Akhmet
L.N.Gumilyov Eurasian National University, 2, Satpayev, Astana, 000001, Republic of Kazakhstan

Abstract

This article aims to provide a historical ground for future research on geopolitical and economic transformations in Asia. It is devoted to the current situation around two Central Asian megaprojects: The U.S.'s "New Silk Road" and China's "One Belt One Road" (OBOR). Authors compare perspectives of these two initiatives and their impact on the economy and political landscape in Asia to evaluate the future of the region. Considering strategies of both countries, the authors conclude that "New Silk Road" is unable to compete with OBOR in Central Asia and, in fact, the U.S. had to concede the region to China. Even the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) that was considered overweight for OBOR has failed after Donald Trump's arrival to power. The current situation is favoured for China, and the only issue left for future discussions is whether Beijing possesses enough resources to do the projects in both Central and South Asia.

Keywords

Central Asia, Silk Road, OBOR project, United States, China, TPP, Obama Administration, Trump Administration

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