Özet:

China’s “One Belt, One Road” project attracts attention with its declared economic magnitude and geographical reach. To correctly evaluate the chances of success and the true potential of this attempt, the logic of geopolitics behind it should be understood. Relying on both the theories of power transitions and balance of power which have been constructed by different versions of the realist school of thought, the aim of this article is to analyze the global security equation which motivates this project and the main western routes of it. The nature of China’s relations with its small and big neighbors and the possible evolving  direction of those relations are also discussed. Beijing thinks that its rivalry with Washington can turn into a kind of open conflict and looks to continental routes against the possibility of hostile actions limiting the China’s access to the seas. Nevertheless, it is highly probable that the logic of the balance of power would also show its effect over these routes. How would Russia position itself in the fast changing international security environment is still not clear. Similarly, geopolitical risks related to transportation routes passing through Iran are so high. Thus, in this article, it is claimed that “the middle corridor” is the safest one for Beijing among the routes which connect China to Europe and the Middle East. The position of the Uighur Turks is among the factors which would affect the support of the public opinion in this “Turkish Belt” that is heavily inhabited by Turkish and Muslim populations. Lastly, it is underlined that China should begin taking steps by desecuritising and reimagining its approach toward the Uighur Turks to build a better image both in the Turkish Belt and the Middle East.

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