The New Silk Roads: European Perceptions and Perspectives
| DOI | 10.1177/0020881718812308 |
| Author | Karine Lisbonne de Vergeron |
| Published date | 01 October 2018 |
| Date | 01 October 2018 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
The New Silk Roads:
European Perceptions
and Perspectives
Karine Lisbonne de Vergeron1
Abstract
The focus of this article is on European perceptions and attitudes towards the
New Silk Roads or Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The New Silk Roads is nei-
ther a formal policy nor a clearly defined geographical or geopolitical strategy,
rather it is an evolving narrative. These perceptions have been partly shaped
by the importance of the EU–China bilateral relation as well as European plans
towards Asian connectivity. Europe’s developing strategic approach towards
Eurasia has also affected these views as well as national prerogatives. Since 2017,
a more coordinated European approach has evolved. The EU greatly welcomes
Chinese initiatives of increasing investments in cross-border infrastructure with
the view that it should adhere to market rules, international financial and envi-
ronmental norms. Through BRI, China has focused more on Central and Eastern
Europe (CEE) and the Mediterranean region. Some of the projects have led to
concerns over the possibility of diluting European political unity or investments
rules. There is, however, much room for greater political coordination among
European countries, notably by being more proactive in promoting, for example,
the infrastructure projects which the EU has already financed in CEE and by gen-
erally seeking to promote the EU–Asia connectivity plans.
Keywords
European Union, China, Belt and Road Initiative, New Silk Roads
Introduction
The New Silk Roads is not a formal policy nor a clearly defined geographical or
geopolitical strategy. It is meant to be and is being promoted by China as an
evolving narrative, which has been deeply rooted in the historical context of the
Article
International Studies
55(4) 339–349
2018 Jawaharlal Nehru University
SAGE Publications
sagepub.in/home.nav
DOI: 10.1177/0020881718812308
http://journals.sagepub.com/home/isq
1 Associate Director and Head of Europe Programme, Global Policy Institute, London, United Kingdom.
Corresponding author:
Karine Lisbonne de Vergeron, Associate Director and Head of Europe Programme, Global Policy
Institute, London SE1 7SJ, United Kingdom.
E-mail: kl.devergeron@gpilondon.com
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