A professor from Shanghai International Studies University argues that Iran is one of a handful of countries vital to the success of China's "One Belt, One Road" initiative to revive the ancient Silk Road. Due to its geographic position between China and Europe, large market, natural resources, and regional influence, Iran plays an important role along with Turkey and Pakistan. The professor also notes that while European Union leaders have concerns about China's growing influence challenging EU unity, individual European countries still seek opportunities for economic partnerships through Chinese-funded infrastructure projects along the new Silk Road.

1. 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
PoliticsSeptember 17, 2016
By M.A. Saki
Iran one of handful of states vital for success of Silk
Road: 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.”

2. 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 follow
China’s example of
bypassing the European
Union in favor of cutting
bargains with individual
governments and
businesses,” Shanghai
International Studies
University Professor
Robert R. Bianchi says.
Robert R. Bianchi says, Iran, along with neighboring Turkey and Pakistan, “enjoys an irresistible
combination of geographic advantage, market size, natural resources, and regional political in uence” to
help 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 translate
China’s economic strength into greater political in uence around the world. The project is a
comprehensive effort to integrate all of Eurasia and Africa, creating an interconnected megaregion
encompassing the entire Eastern Hemisphere and linking the Paci c and Atlantic Basins through the
Indian 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 that
China can strengthen its still modest military capacity. There are also several national and regional
objectives such as stimulating the development of China’s backward western provinces, putting surplus
foreign exchange to work in pro table overseas investments, exporting the overproduction of inef cient
state industries, and building multiple overland routes for vital energy imports instead of relying on
vulnerable 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 geographic
advantage, market size, natural resources, and regional political in uence. Indonesia and Nigeria occupy
equally important positions in Southeast Asia and West Africa. China is eagerly courting friends in each
of these countries because it sees them as the anchors of its planned network of transcontinental and
transoceanic 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 attractive
economic 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 projects
because Western Europe is the major destination for Chinese exports
and a major hub for transshipment to Africa, the Middle East, and the
Americas. Throughout Europe, Chinese investment is supporting a host
of megaprojects including sea ports, high-speed trains, expressways,
pipelines, airports, power stations, and industrial zones. European Union
leaders in Brussels complain that member states are negotiating separate
deals with China which undercut efforts to develop union-wide policies
on 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 to
recurrent crises in the Middle East and Africa. Hence, the more that China appeals to the economic
interests of national governments and business leaders the more troublesome it appears to the
defenders of pan-European and trans-Atlantic alliances.

3. 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 3/4
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 bargains
with 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 conditions
encourage exibility rather than long-term commitments, Iranian leaders will want to keep their options
open. 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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