One Belt One Road: will it increase the gravity between China and Eurasia

• Pages: 152-164
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JITLP-06-2019-0037
• Published date: 01 November 2019
• Date: 01 November 2019
• Author: Nida Rahman,Mohd Nayyer Rahman
• Subject Matter: Strategy

One Belt One Road: will it

increase the gravity between

China and Eurasia

Nida Rahman

Department of Economics, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India, and

Mohd Nayyer Rahman

Department of Commerce, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India

Abstract

Purpose –Globalisation has remained a subjective term as the magnitude unfolded. Every new decade

witnesses new opportunities for global integration of the economies. One among such initiatives, it is argued, is

the One Belt One Road initiative of the People’s Republic of China. It is assumed to be benef‌icialfor the world and

at least for the region, if not to say more. The world has witnessed efforts and trends of protectionism as well, but

China comes up with new vigour. One Belt One Road has entered into consistent talks and deliberations at the

world level. It is therefore imperative to identify the emerging linkages between the participant countries in One

Belt One Road. This study aims to take up the task of enquiring about the effect of One Belt One Road on the

gravity between China and the nations of Eurasia. This study looks for the realisation of the expected economic

ties and internationalisation emerging from One Belt One Road and the evidence for the same. This will be

identif‌ied in the present study. The paper also attempts to theorise a model for One Belt One Road.

Design/methodology/approach –This study takesup the task of enquiring about the effect of One Belt

One Road on the gravity between China and the nations of Eurasia. The hypothesised economic ties and

internationalisationwill be a reality or not. And what are the evidences for the same. This will be identif‌ied in

the proposedstudy. An attempt to theorise the model for One Belt One Road is also taken.

Findings –It is perceived that the mega project would f‌ill the wedge between China and Eurasia and

convergencewill follow with the start of the One Belt One Road.

Originality/value –The emergence of China in the global world orderas the initiator of mega deals and

projects and its dominionin every realm of economic activity is a topic of scrutiny for the entire world. In this

context, the One Belt One Road initiativeoffers huge potential for exploration. As the project is in its early

stages of planning andexecution, its prospects of tying entire Europe and Russiawith China through two of

the revived ancientroutes are essential to the entire world.

Keywords Internationalisation, Economic Integration, Gravity, One Belt One Road

Paper type Research paper

1. Introduction

The globalisation process that gradually swept the world economy since the closing of the

1980s and at the start of 1990s has its hand in bringing economies together for realising

mutual goals and objectives. Driven by competitive advantages and internationalisation

motives, almost every major player of the world economy joined the globalisation process.

With each successive print, the world economies witnessed greater cooperation attempts

and willingness of countries to reach an expanded level of integration ameliorated. This

assertion is apparent in the myriadblocs that have emerged since globalisation took hold of

economic operations worldwide. One such unison that has taken to news stories, on its

relevance of late, is the One Belt One Road initiative.Taking into perspective the latest trend

among some western countriesto move to a protectionist policy stance, the decided One Belt

JITLP

18,3

152

Received30 June 2019

Revised30 August 2019

10September 2019

16September 2019

24September 2019

Accepted25 September 2019

Journalof International Trade

Lawand Policy

Vol.18 No. 3, 2019

pp. 152-164

© Emerald Publishing Limited

1477-0024

DOI 10.1108/JITLP-06-2019-0037

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