China’s Belt and Road Initiative in the South Caucasus: A Region Moving from the Margins to the Spotlight

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For years, the South Caucasus was peripheral to Beijing’s vision. The spotlight was on Central Asia and Russia, with corridors like the China–Mongolia–Russia route and the New Eurasian Land Bridge carrying much of the traffic. But Russia’s war against Ukraine has changed the calculus. The conflict has disrupted traditional trade flows, cast doubt on Moscow-centered routes, and prompted China to urgently seek alternatives to maintain secure access to Europe.

This is where the China–Central Asia–West Asia Economic Corridor (CCAWEC) comes in. Passing through Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, and into the South Caucasus, the corridor offers a land-sea hybrid link to Europe that completely bypasses Russian territory.

Source: Wikipedia