The “Belt and Road” Initiative and Eurasian Regional Cooperation

Abstract The BRI stretches through the continents of Asia, Europe, and Africa, and Europe is an important part of the initiative. The BRI provides a platform for institutional arrangements and in-depth cooperation between economically developed Europe and economically active Asia, and Eurasian region has always been an important space for the BRI construction. Further excavation of the historical value of the ancient Silk Road is a necessary prerequisite for promoting the cultural integration of today’s Eurasian region. Strengthening the construction of infrastructure connectivity is the fundamental path to further improve the Eurasian connectivity level. Multiple investment and trade barriers still exist in the Eurasian region, which greatly hinder the economic cooperation and development of the region. To this end, we should focus on solving the problem of non-facilitation of trade and investment in the region and propose targeted solutions. People-to-people bond is the foundational project for consolidating Eurasian regional cooperation. Within the BRI framework, the synergy between China and the Eurasian Economic Union plays an important role in deepening Eurasian regional cooperation. In recent years, under the background of the pandemic, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states have shown positive attitudes toward economic and trade cooperation, investment and finance, transportation, etc. The promotion of Eurasian regional cooperation needs to further play the important role in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as a platform.