10/31/2016 Iran one of handful of states vital for success of Silk Road: SISU professor - Tehran Times

http://www.tehrantimes.com/news/406460/Iran-one-of-handful-of-states-vital-for-success-of-Silk-Road 1/4

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PoliticsSeptember 17, 2016

By M.A. Saki

Iran one of handful of states vital for success of SilkRoad: SISU professor

TEHRAN – A professor of Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) tells the Tehran Times

that “Iran is one of a handful of countries that are indispensable to making the new Silk Road a

success.” 

   

10/31/2016 Iran one of handful of states vital for success of Silk Road: SISU professor - Tehran Times

http://www.tehrantimes.com/news/406460/Iran-one-of-handful-of-states-vital-for-success-of-Silk-Road 2/4

“Iran is likely to followChina’s example ofbypassing the EuropeanUnion in favor of cuttingbargains with individualgovernments andbusinesses,” ShanghaiInternational StudiesUniversity ProfessorRobert R. Bianchi says.

Robert R. Bianchi says, Iran, along with neighboring Turkey and Pakistan, “enjoys an irresistiblecombination of geographic advantage, market size, natural resources, and regional political in�uence” tohelp realize the new Silk Road, also known as the “One Belt, One Road”.

Following is the text of the interview:

Q: We witness that China is trying to revive the ancient Silk Road. Why?

A: China’s New Silk Road initiative—also known as the “One Belt, One Road” strategy—seeks to translateChina’s economic strength into greater political in�uence around the world. The project is acomprehensive effort to integrate all of Eurasia and Africa, creating an interconnected megaregionencompassing the entire Eastern Hemisphere and linking the Paci�c and Atlantic Basins through theIndian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The wider geopolitical goal is to rival—and perhaps surpass—America as the preeminent global power, but to avoid open warfare for at least a decade or two so thatChina can strengthen its still modest military capacity. There are also several national and regionalobjectives such as stimulating the development of China’s backward western provinces, putting surplusforeign exchange to work in pro�table overseas investments, exporting the overproduction of inef�cientstate industries, and building multiple overland routes for vital energy imports instead of relying onvulnerable sea lanes that can easily be cut by the American Navy.

Q: What can be the importance of Iran in this big project?

A: Iran is one of a handful of countries that are indispensable to making the New Silk Road a success.Along with neighboring Turkey and Pakistan, Iran enjoys an irresistible combination of geographicadvantage, market size, natural resources, and regional political in�uence. Indonesia and Nigeria occupyequally important positions in Southeast Asia and West Africa. China is eagerly courting friends in eachof these countries because it sees them as the anchors of its planned network of transcontinental andtransoceanic in�uence. Growing attention from China will also encourage all other great powers —particularly Russia, the United States, Europe, and India—to compete for favor by offering attractiveeconomic and political inducements.

Q: How does the EU look at China’s move in reviving the ancient Silk

Road? Doesn’t the EU consider it a threat to itself?

A: Every region of Europe is participating in multiple Silk Road projectsbecause Western Europe is the major destination for Chinese exportsand a major hub for transshipment to Africa, the Middle East, and theAmericas. Throughout Europe, Chinese investment is supporting a hostof megaprojects including sea ports, high-speed trains, expressways,pipelines, airports, power stations, and industrial zones. European Unionleaders in Brussels complain that member states are negotiating separatedeals with China which undercut efforts to develop union-wide policieson trade, human rights, and diplomacy. NATO of�cials fear that China’s

growing in�uence in Europe will prevent concerted Western responses to Russian assertiveness and torecurrent crises in the Middle East and Africa. Hence, the more that China appeals to the economicinterests of national governments and business leaders the more troublesome it appears to thedefenders of pan-European and trans-Atlantic alliances.

10/31/2016 Iran one of handful of states vital for success of Silk Road: SISU professor - Tehran Times

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Q: Can the revival of the Silk Road result in an improvement of Iran-EU relations?

A: Iran is likely to follow China’s example of bypassing the European Union in favor of cutting bargainswith individual governments and businesses. Iran’s trade relations can grow in many directions at once,not only with Europe but also with Russia, China, India, and Paci�c Asia. Because these conditionsencourage �exibility rather than long-term commitments, Iranian leaders will want to keep their optionsopen. If deals with one European partner turn sour, Iran can move elsewhere in Europe and beyond.Naturally, Iran’s ability to bene�t from these multiple opportunities depends entirely on avoiding a re-imposition of international sanctions.  

China   handful   professor of Shanghai International Studies University (SISU)   Robert R. Bianchi   Silk Road

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