353 Fernando Delage The Asian strategy of Xi Jinping The two Silk Routes. Source: Xinhua. “The Silk Road Belt”. In September 2013, Xi visited Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kirgizstan. Besides signing various agreements and energy contracts, in Astana he described his strategic vision in relation to Central Asia. Referring to the ever closer relationship between the PRC and the Central Asian States -reflected in bilateral pacts and in the SCO- he proposed the construction of an economic belt along the former Silk Road, hinging on four elements: The construction of infrastructures (road communications would be improved and a new transport network would be developed, including a railway line to Europe linking up with the Trans-Siberian line); The elimination of trade and investment barriers; A flexible regime of currency exchange (with less use of the dollar); And cultural rapprochement, with the proposal of a programme of scholarships for civil servants, teachers and students.52 Beijing’s interest in recovering the Silk Road is highly significant. Besides recalling its historic role in the region, the offer of its economic integration with the central Asian republics represents an interesting growth perspective. This route offers Beijing the resources necessary to guarantee its energy security, cooperation in the fight to combat radical groups and the economic development of the western provinces (Xinjiang and 52 “Xi proposes a ‘new Silk Road’ with Central Asia”, China Daily, 9 September 2013, http://usa. chinadaily.com.cn/china/2013-09/08/content_16952304.htm (last consultation 16.1.15). In the meeting of SCO Prime Ministers (Tashkent), Li Keqiang detailed China’s proposal: “Chinese premier makes 6-point proposal on SCO cooperation”, People’s Daily, 30 November 2013, http://english.peopledaily. com.cn/90883/8470817.html (last consultation 16-1-2015). http://revista.ieee.es/index.php/ieee
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