The Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA) and the Chennai Centre for China Studies (C3S) co-hosted a Webinar on the topic, "Dynamics and Drivers of China's Maritime Silk Road: Impacts and Implications” on March 28th 2025 from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM as part of their Memorandum of Understanding for Research Cooperation. The Webinar delivered a comprehensive analysis of the impacts and implications of China's ambitious Maritime Silk Road (MSR) initiative.
The speakers engaged in an insightful discussion on various aspects of the MSR initiative; renewed focus on “small and beautiful” projects, participation and contribution of provincial governments, security implications of MSR projects across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), economic and financial viability of connectivity projects and counterstrategies of India, Japan and the USA deployed to compete with the MSR, and the way forward for regional responses to China’s maritime connectivity and security strategy.
The Opening Remarks were presented by Ms. Eerishika Pankaj, Director, ORCA, who detailed the evolution of the MSR from large mega-projects to “small and beautiful” projects. She outlined how China’s MSR would become more sophisticated and security-oriented, focusing on strategic maritime connectivity in the Indian Ocean Region, South East Asia and the Global South. Her remarks focused on MSR’s increasing integration with China’s overseas economic strategy of securing supply chains, controlling energy supplies and developing alternatives to chokepoints.
Rahul Karan Reddy, Senior Research Associate at ORCA, spoke on the topic of Examining the Participation of Chinese Provinces. He detailed the participation of provincial governments and non-state actors in China’s Maritime Silk Road. The speaker highlighted how sub-national actors interpret and implement MSR plans to enhance and upgrade their economic assets and advantages. The speaker also discussed how the MSR is a vector of foreign policy outreach, examining the actions of Guangxi in its attempt to build MSR connections with South East Asia. The speaker also analysed the case of Fujian, which has emerged as a bridgehead for China to secure the supply chain of energy resources from the Middle East. He also pointed out that the MSR initiative is deployed by city governments to improve people to people engagements and soft power projection, in the service of greater cooperation and engagement under the banner of the MSR.
The second speaker, Commodore Venugopal Vengalil (Retired) Indian Navy and Distinguished Member, C3S, spoke on the security implications of Chinese engagement in Indian Ocean, specifically through MSR projects and investments. He argued that the MSR cannot be seen in isolation as it is in alignment with China’s broader maritime security strategy. He remarked that the Indian Ocean stands as the centre of gravity in China’s blue-water ambitions. He emphasised the vulnerability of China’s position, given that Beijing’s major energy supplies traverse sea lines of communication (SLOC) in the Indian Ocean. He stated that there has been significant monitoring of China’s activity in the IOR by the Indian Navy. However, more technological and logistical support can enhance India’s current efforts, he added. He also noted that China intends to develop fleets in the Indian Ocean, which should be taken seriously by all stakeholders in the IOR.
Associate Professor Kiran Varma, Head, Department of Economics, M.O.P. Vaishnav College for Women spoke on the topic of Cost-Benefit Analysis of China’s Maritime Connectivity Projects. She explored the cost benefit analysis of China’s investments via the MSR. The speaker gave an in-depth analysis of the socio-economic impact of China’s MSR projects in various countries. Prof. Varma highlighted the impact of increased trade volumes and social cohesion challenges that emerge with the expansion of China’s trade with other countries. She also detailed the social and environmental impact on local communities that take the form of displacement, loss of economic opportunities and other negative externalities. The speaker also emphasised the environmental challenges posed by China’s large-scale projects.
Commodore Anil Jai Singh, Vice President, Indian Maritime Foundation & Senior Vice President, Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, spoke on Evaluating Regional Responses to China's MSR: India, Japan and USA. He offered various insights on regional responses to the MSR, mainly focusing on India, Japan and the United States. He highlighted that while China would like to project MSR as an economic initiative that offers development opportunities in the entire world, countries in China’s neighbourhood are wary of the initiative. Talking about Japan’s responses, he argued that although Japan was indifferent to the progress of the Belt and Road Initiative for a long time, a shift in its approach was visible in 2017 when it launched projects as a counterbalance to China. He argued that the Nine dash line and South China Sea issue would determine Japan’s reactions to China’s projections in the Indian Ocean. He argued that India has taken a benign approach to Chinese MSR activities, although, programs such as SAGAR, MAHASAGAR, and other foreign policy initiatives like Act East and Act West have been launched to counter Chinese influence in the region. Regarding the US approach, he stated that it will require some time to understand how the new Trump administration views the Indo-Pacific.
Presentations by the speakers were followed by an interactive Q and A Session, during which audience members presented various questions to the speakers. The Q and A Session was followed by Closing Remarks presented by Commodore R.S. Vasan, Director General, C3S and Ms. Eerishika Pankaj, who thanked the speakers for their remarks, summarised the key insights presented by speakers and outlined the way forward for refining counterstrategies to the MSR.
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