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Abstract

This research takes a critical approach towards the development opportunities presented by the Belt and Road Initiative for the region of Central Asia and the scope for the initiative to be used as an arm of China’s geopolitical strategies. It examines the opportunity for development in Central Asia as a result of BRI by looking at the prospects for the initiative in Kazakhstan. It draws parallel between BRI and the local development programme Nurly Zhol to demonstrate the opportunities for Kazakhstan concerning its development. It will also examine the impact of the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank on the BRI as well as use the case study of the Khorgas Gateway to show one such development opportunity.
It will also take aim at the possibility of the BRI being used as an element of ‘soft  power’, and by using this in synergy with the ‘network capitalism’ theory this research will argue that China is attempting to position itself as the centre of politics and economics in the Central Asian region. This research will also examine Xi Jinping’s ‘win-win’ rhetoric arguing that Chinese officials are attempting to present BRI as mutually beneficial to all countries involved.
It will follow a largely constructivist approach that BRI is an element of soft power for China but will be drawing from liberal and realist scholars and theories as well. This is due to the multifaceted nature of BRI, which is both an economic development opportunity for Central Asia and Kazakhstan as well as an extension of China’s geopolitical standing and soft power.

Course: History and Politics - BA (Hons) - C0983

Date Deposited: 2021-03-11

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis13682.html