| Since 1964, when Japan opened the world’s first modern high-speed rail (HSR), Shinkansen, many different countries and regions worldwide have developed and opened their own HSR.15 billion passengers have traveled on HSR at global level-twice the world’s population-for the past half century. Nowadays, there are 23000 kilometers of dedicated HSR lines operating in the world. In 20 years, this figure will double. As a rapidly expanding new transport mode with main characteristics of safe, fast, and environment friendliness, HSR increases the mobility of people and invites people to move by a cleaner means of transport and improves quality of life. It is therefore often described as the "transport mode of the future"Inspired by the booming development of HSR in foreign countries and having foreseen the bright future of HSR, China, in 2004, began to bring in HSR technology from Japan, France, Germany and Canada. In 2008, China opened its first HSR from Beijing to Tianjin which at that time, operated at a world record speed of 250 km/h. In 2011, China again refreshed the world record speed at the moment its 350km/h Beijing-Shanghai HSR was put into operation. This marked the transition of China’s HSR from purely bringing in to innovation, and by innovation, China has made its HSR technology world first class. At present, China is the world’s top country in terms of HSR mileage, accounting for almost half of the world’s total. All in all, by bringing in, digesting, absorbing and then innovating, China has mastered the core technology of HSR and become one of the most powerful HSR countries in the world.Apart from the rapid development of domestic HSR, China is also aiming to explore overseas market since it has possessed the ability to export HSR. Its initial and ongoing HSR diplomacy directly promotes its HSR export. But the achievements of HSR diplomacy are comparatively limited comparing to the strategy of One Belt and One Road (OBOR) proposed by Chinese government which is a stronger and more lasting push for the going out of China’s HSR. As an significant national strategy of China, OBOR strategy aims to enhance the trade and cultural exchange between countries along the Belt and the Road, and it is of profound significance to regional integration and even globalization. Infrastructure connectivity is a filed of priority in the implementation of OBOR strategy, and HSR industry is the pioneering industry of infrastructure connectivity. Therefore, it is foreseeable that under the strategy of OBOR, China’s HSR will embrace a bright future in foreign markets.The Middle East, with its unique geographic location as the intersection of the New Silk Road and the Maritime Silk Road, is of great significance to the realization of OBOR strategy. Besides, it is also the transportation junction of Asia, Europe and Africa, both by road and by sea, which provides the Middle East region with a specially important status in the world economic and political situation. In addition, the Middle East has a large amount of crude oil reserve, which further enhances its strategic status. All in all, the Middle East is of great significance whether in the realization of OBOR strategy or the trade and cultural exchange of the three continents, Asia, Europe and Africa. Therefore, it is foreseeable that with the growing development of globalization, the HSR demand in the Middle East will enjoy a considerable growth.In summary, China has mastered advanced HSR technology and got the ability to export its HSR, and the Middle East with unparalleled role in the comprehensive realization of OBOR strategy, shows a growing demand in HSR development. Therefore, it is valuable to research on the prospect of China’s HSR exporting to the Middle East under the strategy of OBOR.This paper is mainly divided into the following six parts:The first chapter is the introduction including the research background and significance, literature review and the definitions of some related terms. Compared to other HSR leading countries like Japan, France and Germany, China is a later starter. However, under the technology strategy of bringing in, digesting, absorbing and then innovating, China has now become one of the most powerful HSR countries in the world. The rise of China’s HSR industry not only enhances the economic development of the nation, but also contributes to the trade and cultural exchange with related countries, thus enhancing China’s comprehensive national power and expanding its right to speak in the international community. In addition, HSR is the breakthrough point of the implementation of OBOR strategy, so it is obvious that the strategy is expected to offer great driving force for the export of China’s HSR. What’s more, located as the meeting point of the road Silk Road and maritime Silk Road, the Middle East is expected increase its demand for HSR due to its growing economic and social development. Besides, presently, the Middle East still does not possess HSR technology. Considering all the above elements, the author thinks that it is valuable to investigate the prospect of China’s HSR exporting to the Middle East under the OBOR strategy.The second chapter briefly introduces several theories employed in this paper. Some international trade theories such as absolute advantage theory, factor endowments theory, technical gap theory and theory of product life cycle are included. Besides, this chapter also briefly introduces the theory of SWOT analysis. By introducing these theories, this chapter aims to lay a theoretical foundation for the analysis of chapter four.Chapter three gives a close look at the worldwide HSR development situation, mainly focusing on the development situation of some foreign HSR leading countries (Japan, France and Germany), the Middle East and China. Generally speaking, the world is entering into a golden age of HSR development. Japan, France and Germany are still the main HSR exporting countries. However, the Middle East still does not possess HSR technology and its HSR development is at an initial stage. But the region shows a great potential in developing HSR. As to China, although it has mastered advanced HSR technology and enjoys the world’s longest HSR mileage, due to its short development history, China’s HSR export is still at an initial stage. However, under the OBOR strategy, China shows a great potential in exporting its HSR.Based on the HSR development situation of the related countries described in the third chapter and the international trade theories mentioned in the second chapter, the fourth chapter mainly conducts a SWOT analysis of China’s HSR exporting to the Middle East. By analyzing the advantages, weaknesses, opportunities and threats faced by China’s HSR, this chapter lays an important foundation for the next chapter to put forward some suggestions.On the basis of the analysis in the fourth chapter, the fifth chapter put forwards several suggestions for China’s HSR exporting to the Middle East under the OBOR strategy. These suggestions mainly include the following five aspects:HSR standardization, financing, establishment of brand recognition, cultural gap and management of political risks.Chapter six is the conclusion. It is an undeniable fact that China’s HSR technology has been among the world first class level. On the other hand, the Middle East is of great strategic importance to the realization of OBOR strategy and has showed great potential in demand for HSR. Therefore, under the OBOR strategy, it is foreseeable that China’s HSR will embrace a bright future in the Middle East market. |
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