Infrastructure Projects as the Basis for Connectivity and China’s New Spatial Framework
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17059/ekon.reg.2025-3-15Keywords:
China’s spatial development, infrastructure projects, cross-border interactions, spatial connectivityAbstract
Russia and China share a similar trend in political and economic thinking as the role of space is undergoing re-evaluation. Once seen as a burden demanding immense resources to manage across vast territories, space is now increasingly regarded as a key strategic asset. This shift stems from a deliberate state approach combining spatial planning, structural investment, and infrastructure development. The purpose of this article is to examine the specific features of China’s spatial development, the role of its infrastructure projects and cross-border interactions, and to assess the potential applicability of Chinese experience to Russia. The study employs a systematic approach, combining chronological, factorial, and structural analysis with comparative-historical methods, as well as the examination of contemporary policy documents on PRC development, recent statistics, and works by Chinese scholars and experts. The research hypothesis is that infrastructure development, cross-border interactions, and institutional conditions play a decisive role in shaping China’s modernisation model of spatial development. This hypothesis is supported by the analysis of infrastructure projects as the foundation of connectivity and the new spatial framework of China in three key areas: 1) the creation of a modern multimodal transportation and logistics system; 2) the development of a comprehensive system of hydraulic structures regulating national water use; and 3) the expansion of digital connectivity infrastructure. These initiatives have delivered substantial multiplier effects, driving economic growth, creating millions of jobs, advancing cutting-edge technologies, and culminating in the construction of the world’s largest high-speed rail network. However, institutional factors and conditions remain the weakest link in the anticipated modernisation of both the Chinese and Russian development models and their spatial components. Chinese analysts emphasise this issue, particularly in relation to the implementation of development strategies for the PRC’s macro-regions, especially the Northeastern macro-region. It is concluded that China’s strategic orientation and practical achievements illustrate a development model that Russia, and especially its key macro-region Siberia, should pursue.
References
Alexandrova, M. V., & Xue, H. (2019). Formation of the Beijing – Tianjin – Hebei economic region. Problemy Dal’nego Vostoka [Far Eastern Studies], (5(2)), 24–30. https://doi.org/10.31857/S013128120007501-2 (In Russ.)
Auzan, A. A. (2022). Kul’turnye kody ekonomiki. Kak tsennosti vliyayut na konkurentsiyu, demokratiyu i blagosostoyanie naroda [Cultural Codes of Economy. How values influence competition, democracy and welfare of the people]. Moscow: AST Publishers, 160. (In Russ.)
Bazhenova, E. S., & Ostrovsky, A. V. (2016). Xinjiang – Horizons of the New Silk Road (2nd ed.). Moscow: Publisher MBA, 276. (In Russ.)
Borokh, O. N., & Lomanov, A. V. (2024). Chinese-style modernization: evolution of the concept. Mirovaya ekonomika i mezhdunarodnye otnosheniya [World Eсonomy and International Relations], 68 (1), 31–47. https://doi.org/10.20542/0131–2227-2024-68-1-31-47 (In Russ.)
Chang, X. (2021). Хin fazhan jieduan dongbei zhenxing lujing tantao [Discussion on the Path of Revitalization of Northeast China in the New Development Stage]. Renmin luntan xueshuqianyan [People’s Forum·Academic Frontier], (20), 111–124. https://doi.org/10.16619/j.cnki.rmltxsqy.2021.20.014 (In Chinese)
Chen, Y. (2017). Хinyilun dongbei zhenxing zhanlüe yao sikao de jige guanjianwenti [Several key issues to consider in the new round of Northeast China revitalization strategy]. Jingji zongheng [Economic Prospects], (1), 8–12. (In Chinese)
Hu, H. Y. (1935). Zhongguo renkou zhi fenbu – fu tongjibiao yu midu tu [The Distribution of Population in China, With Statistics and Maps]. Dilixue bao [Acta Geographica Sinica], 2 (2), 33–74. https://doi.org/10.11821/xb193502002 (In Chinese)
Larin, V. L. (2021). Russia in the plans and programs of PRC border regions. Mirovaya ekonomika i mezhdunarodnye otnosheniya [World Economy and International Relations], 65 (12), 5–14. https://doi.org/10.20542/0131–2227-2021-65-12-5-14 (In Russ.)
Li, P. (2022). Ijie yu yingdui: woguo xin fazhan jieduan de nanbei chaju [The North-South Gap in the New Development Stage of China]. Shehui fazhan yanjiu [Social Development Research], (1), 1–13. (In Chinese)
Li, Y. (2021). Joint work on the Belt and Road Initiative within the strategic conjugation of China’s and Russia’s economic strategies. Region: ekonomika i sotsiologiya [Region: Economics and Sociology], (2(110)), 211–235. https://doi.org/10.15372/REG20210209 (In Russ.)
Liu, G., & Liu, J. (2023). «Yidai yilu» changyi xia dongbei lao gongye jidi quanmian zhenxing shixian xin tupo: zhongyaoxing qianli youshi tupo fangxiang nandian ji shixian lujing [The comprehensive revitalization of the old industrial base in Northeast China under the Belt and Road Initiative has achieved new breakthroughs: importance, potential advantages, breakthrough directions, difficulties and implementation paths]. Dongbeiya jingji yanjiu [Northeast Asian Economic Research], 7 (02), 23-33. https://doi.org/10.19643/j.cnki.naer.2023.02.002 (In Chinese)
Liu., I. & Avdokushin, E. F. (2023). Formirovanie i razvitie Tsifrovogo shelkovogo puti Kitaya [Formation and Development of China’s Digital Silk Road]. Moscow: Publishing and Trading Corporation «Dashkov and Ko», 215. (In Russ.)
Liu, Q., & Qi, X. (2018). “Yidai yilu” kuangjia xia zhongguo dongbei diqu yu eluosiyuandongdiqu fazhan zhanlüe duijie yu hezuo [Strategic alignment and cooperation between China’s Northeast and Russia’s Far East under the Belt and Road Initiative]. Dongbeiya luntan [Northeast Asia Forum], (02), 34–51. https://doi.org/10.13654/j.cnki.naf.2018.02.003 (In Chinese)
Ma, Kh., Men, Ch., Yan, D., & Van, Kh. (2019). Tsifrovaya transformatsiya Kitaya. Opyt preobrazovaniya infrastruktury natsional’noi ekonomiki [China’s Digital Transformation: The Experience of Transforming the Infrastructure of the National Economy]. Moscow: Intellectual Literature, 256.
Makeeva, S. B. (2020). The Experience of the Chinese School of Spatial Analysis in the Study of Urgent problems of PRC Regional Development in the Second Half of the XX and the Beginning of the XXI Сentury. Obshchestvo i gosudarstvo v Kitae [Society and State in China], 50-1 (34), 842–850. (In Russ.)
Makeeva, S. B. (2023). Formirovanie i realizatsiya strategii regional’nogo razvitiya v Kitaiskoi Narodnoi Respublike (1978–2012 gody) [avtoref. dis. … doktora istoricheskikh nauk] [Formation and implementation of regional development strategies in the People’s Republic of China (1978–2012) [abstract of the dissertation of the Doctor of history: 5.6.2, Kuban State University]]. Krasnodar, 47. (In Russ.)
Navdaeva, M. E. (2024). Maritime Economy as a Basis for Building a Great Maritime Power in China. Russian-Chinese Studies, 8 (2), 156–164 (In Russ.)
Popov, V. V. (2025). Kitaiskaya model’. Pochemu Kitai otstaval ot Zapada, a teper’ ego obgonyaet [The Chinese Model: Why China Lagged Behind the West and Is Now Overtaking It]. Fortis Press, 392. (In Russ.)
Portaykov, V. Ya. (2021). Eksperimental’nye zony svobodnoi torgovli v Kitae [Pilot free trade zones in China]. Moscow: IFES RAS, 104.
Samburova, E. N. (2014). Regional disparities in the presentqday development of China’s economy. Vestnik Moskovskogo universiteta. Seriya 5: Geografiya [Moscow University Bulletin. Series 5, Geography], (4), 49–55. (In Russ.)
Seliverstov, V. E. (2024). A new model for Siberia’s development: Exploring the contours and feasibility. Region: ekonomika i sotsiologiya [Region: Economics and Sociology], (1(121), 66–114. https://doi.org/10.15372/REG20240102 (In Russ.)
Stavrov, I. V. (2017). «Revival of Northeast China» in the program documents of Beijing at the beginning of the 21st century. Rossiya i ATR [Russia and the Pacific], (4(98)), 69–87. (In Russ.)
Sun, Z. (2024). Harmonizing Eurasian Development Through the Implementation and Modernization of the Belt and Road Initiative. Region: ekonomika i sotsiologiya [Region: Economics and Sociology], (3(123)), 202–221. https://doi.org/10.15372/REG20240309 (In Russ.)
Xu, P., & Xu, J. (2025). The impact of the Western macro-region’s large-scale development strategy on China’s spatial deve – lopment: domestic policy efficience and challenges. Region: ekonomika i sotsiologiya [Region: Economics and Sociology], (2(126)), 186–230. https://doi.org/10.15372/REG20250208 (In Russ.)
Zakharzhevskaya, A. Yu. (2021). Disparities of China’s regions development: dependence on the sectoral economic structure. Regional’nye issledovaniya [Regional Research], (1(71)), 84–95. https://doi.org/10.5922/1994–5280-2021-1-7 (In Russ.)
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Селиверстов Вячеслав Евгеньевич
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
