Transcontinental Silk Road Strategies

"This book explores the formation of the discourse of engagement with the Central Asian region through the notion of the Silk Road in China, Japan and South Korea whilst highlighting formats of engagement and cooperation in Eurasia. The impact of various concepts, including the One Belt One Road initiative, undertaken by China, Japan and South Korea to improve regional cooperation and regionalism are analysed to encourage wider theoretical discussions of Central Asian-specific forms of cooperation and relationships. The author argues along a constructivist line to demonstrate that, in contrast to positivist explanations, it is not only the material factors and interests of state that motivate engagement with Central Asia. Instead, by proposing that cultural and institutional factors establish an environment for actors in global politics, the author suggests that cultural environment and identity additionally affect states' behavioural incentives for cooperating. This timely book is a helpful reference for researchers and students in the fields of International relations in Asia, International Area Studies, including China, Korea, Japan and Central Asia"--