New Silk Road Plan and China's Energy-Oriented Approach to Central Asia and Russia

China, as the world's largest emerging economic power, has experienced decades of rapid economic growth and today relies heavily on securing imported energy supplies to continue its rise as a global power. In 2013, China launched an international initiative, as "One Belt, One Roud", wich one of its main branches crossing Central Asia through the "Silk Road Economic Belt", reminiscent of an ancient road that had connected Chinese trade and cultural ties with the outside world. The purpose of this study is to highlight Beijing's efforts to tackle energy-related restrictions by advancing the Silk Road Revival Initiative in Central Asian and Russia region. This paper, based on the neo-mercantilist approach and using a descriptive-explanatory approach, shows that the Chinese government is working to improve its energy security, namely the availability and payment capability of imported energy, by advancing the Silk Road economic initiative. The paper's finding is that Beijing's success in advancing this initiative, could legitimize China's strong and re-emerging presence in Eurasia and opening up exciting economic and trade opportunities for partner countries.