Article
Periphery, Vulnerability and the Belt and Road Initiative

By : Abanti Bhattacharya

Page No: 229-254

Abstract 
This study explores the link between China’s Belt and Road Initiative and its periphery policy and thereby demonstrates the salience of periphery in Chinese foreign policy. Contextualising the BRI in a periphery policy enables us to not only understand the rationale for China’s gigantic intercontinental connectivity network but to also explain why Chinese foreign policy is emblematic of boundary reinforcing ends and territorial fetishism. In fact, China’s periphery policy is rooted in vulnerability both historically as well as in the modern times. This vulnerability has shaped its current response under Xi Jinping in terms of BRI. And therefore, the BRI is intended to address the issue of insecurity and help China establish its global preponderance. This makes China inherently aggressive and belligerent.

Author :
Abanti Bhattacharaya is Professor of Chinese studies at the Department of East Asian Studies, Delhi University.