A new globalization model: One Belt - One Road

AKKAN SUVER*

The world is faced with challenges.

There’s Donald Trump in America; everyone was surprised with the success he achieved in his move to “Make America Great Again.”

There’s Theresa May in Britain; she has challenged the European Union with the move for Brexit.

There’s Emmanuel Macron; with the slogan of “En Marche,” he has created a new revolution in French politics.

On May 14, China’s president, Xi Jinping, presented a new globalization model by bringing together 65 countries under the idea of “One Belt - One Road.”

While the new model of globalization introduced by China’s president was accepted by Asian, European and African leaders, the presidents of countries like Peru and Chile also wanted the maritime part of the project to include Latin America.

The secretary-general of the United Nations went even further and emphasized that America and Australia should not stay out of this project.

Yes, a new globalization of “One Belt-One Road,” or in our terms, the Historical Silk Road, started on May 14 with a different dimension. Turkey, located at the crossroads of the land-based and maritime Silk Road, was present in Beijing as the main actor in the project.

On May 14, we witnessed a new diplomatic area emerging from Beijing to London and from Beijing to Venice, with presidents and government officials coming together.

More than 60 countries which champion knowledge and spiritual values showed their determination to act in unison. As such, there was cooperation within a culture of peace and respect, which is the most important condition to ensure the victory of universal principles so as to prevent any kind of conflict among religions, ethnic groups and individuals.

The Silk Road project is not only a line connecting Asia, Europe and Africa but will also open the doors to the extraordinary historical and cultural wealth which carry the traces of the cultures, religions and races in that region. Essentially, this project will contribute to the international economy and trade more than regional economies. When the project is examined in terms of the geo-economy, it will allow China to approach the European market and help both Europe approach China and Africa approach Asia. Transport times from China to Europe will fall from 45 to 15 days thanks to this project.

The Silk Road project has been hailed as the project of the century thanks to fund convergence, currency integration, infrastructure networks, and the restorations of railways and ports in particular. Accordingly, this project will create a new belt of prosperity from Beijing to London.

A Chinese proverb says that “We are not friends because we are doing business together, we are doing business together because we are friends.” Echoing these sentiments, we also think that this start will open a new door for 65 countries in terms of peace.

Many countries in Asia, Europe and Africa have made significant investments in order to be a part of this network.

With these signatures, maybe there will be a Pax Sinica in the region, and the doors of stability and continuous peace will be opened in a straight line from Middle Asia to Europe and Africa with this new wave of globalization.

*Dr. Akkan Suver, the president of the Marmara Group Foundation, represented Turkish civil society groups at the One Belt-One Road meeting on May 14-15 in Beijing.