The article discusses China's initiative to revive the historic Silk Road trade route between its borders and Europe. Announced in 2013, the plan involves two new trade corridors, one overland and one maritime, connecting China to Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. There are both commercial and geopolitical motivations for the project. Commercially, it will help China export excess industrial capacity and import natural resources. Geopolitically, it expands China's economic and political influence in the region. While expensive and controversial, the project aims to advance China's strategic interests.