The Chinese belt and road initiative are the basis for the evolutionary development and integration of infrastructure and integration projects in the Greater Eurasia region (review of scientific approaches)
Authors:   Market Economy Institute of RAS, Zoidov K.Kh. , Medkov A.A. ,   Market Economy Institute of RAS
Published: March 2021

The monograph provides a comprehensive scientific review and analysis of the main approaches to the problem of the evolutionary development of transport and transit systems (TTS) and the interface of infrastructure and integration projects in order to form the Greater Eurasian partnership (GEAP). The research uses methods of system analysis, evolutionary and institutional theory, and the theory of industrial and technological balance, expert assessments and historical approach. It is shown that in General, the international research community does not conduct comprehensive studies of the functioning of the transit economy as an independent economic system that can become the basis of the country's economic development. Individual studies of market conditions or, conversely, historical and economic trends are conducted. The review of scientific approaches and opinions of Russian and foreign researchers on the implementation of the Republic of China "Belt and Road" initiative (BAR), the analysis of threats and risks that it can bring to participating countries, and the description of alternative infrastructure integration projects and development programs. It is noted that the research community has three options for considering the infrastructure integration project PIP, such as the construction of a network of routes for Euro-Asian transport; including a comprehensive mechanism for China's external expansion and international trade relations to solve domestic problems; creating a global political, social, economic, and cultural space based on the movement of energy, goods, technologies, and competencies. Transport and construction, organizational and institutional problems of infrastructure support for the formation of GEAP are identified. It is proved that at present only the Chinese BAR initiative can become an effective basis for the evolutionary development and integration of infrastructure and integration projects in the Greater Eurasia area. A scientific review of possible ways to use the Chinese BAR initiative for the formation of GEAP with the leading participation of Russia is given. The most effective forms and methods of combining alternative BAR infrastructure integration projects and the formation of GEAP for the development of the TTS of Russia are identified. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the main directions of the impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and measures to combat it on the functioning of the global transport and logistics system in the context of key routes of trade routes and modes of transport, to determine the place and role of Russian communications and transport and logistics companies in servicing the functioning of trade routes in the new reality. It is shown that in ensuring global economic relations, the pandemic has further strengthened the competitive advantages of railway transport as a low-traffic transport technology in relation to the volume of transported goods, especially along the Euro – Asian trade routes on the China – Russia-Europe route.