China's Inter-regional influence through One Belt One Road Foreign Policy

This paper explores China's ambitious One Belt One Road (OBOR) foreign policy as a strategic tool for economic expansion, geopolitical influence, and global integration. Building on China's historical trajectory—from post-World War II political realignment, economic reforms, WTO accession, to its rise as a global power—OBOR emerges as a flagship initiative aimed at establishing a comprehensive infrastructure and trade network across Asia, Europe, and Africa. Grounded in foreign policy theories by Modelski and Holsti, the analysis emphasizes the roles of both state and non-state actors in shaping China’s foreign policy objectives, orientations, and actions. Beyond its economic scope, OBOR is framed as a diplomatic mechanism to deepen international cooperation, foster economic interdependence, and potentially contribute to global peacebuilding. The paper critically assesses how OBOR functions as both a foreign policy output and a reflection of China’s evolving national role on the world stage, offering insights for scholars of international relations, geopolitics, East Asian studies, and global development.