How Beijing is positioning its chess pieces
By Mahdi Zolfaghari
Associate professor of Asian Studies
In the era of transition in the international order from unipolar hegemony toward a multifaceted structure, the People’s Republic of China has adopted a distinct and calculated approach in the arena of diplomacy and global strategy. Unlike traditional Western powers that frequently resort to hard military instruments, overt interventionism, or the imposition of normative values, Beijing has implemented a paradigm grounded in “structured pragmatism” and “long-term systematic planning.” Within this conceptual framework, two primary drivers—namely geopolitical positioning and leadership in emerging technologies—have evolved into the twin pillars of Beijing’s steady yet inexorable rise to power.
By stepping out of its historical defensive posture, China has transformed geopolitics from a concept confined to territorial borders into an arena of “strategic connectivity.” The Belt and Road Initiative stands as the clearest manifestation of this systematic vision. Through massive investments in critical seaports, transcontinental railways, transit corridors, and energy infrastructure across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, Beijing has woven an economic network deeply interlinked with its own economy. This pragmatic methodology has minimized the vulnerability of China’s traditional maritime chokepoints while simultaneously binding target nations into the orbit of mutual economic interests with Beijing. In this win-win matrix, geopolitics is no longer a theater for military campaigns; rather, it has become the main artery for stabilizing supply chains, securing enduring energy imports, and creating dedicated export markets.
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