Research On The Energy Competition And Cooperation Relationship Among Caspian Countries Under The “Belt And Road” Initiativ

The Caspian Sea has rich oil and gas resources and important geographical location.Therefore,it has attracted the attention of the world and provided a field of competition and cooperation for various countries.Based on the theory of energy geopolitics and from the relational sources of energy power,this paper analyzes how China’s involvement changes the components of the Caspian energy system,affects the competitive and cooperative relations of Caspian countries,and thus promotes the transformation of the energy geopolitical order.Different from the theoretical logic of energy geopolitics,in the era of globalization,energy power not only comes from the position in the energy production and marketing structure.Countries can also derive relational power from their interactions with each other.External forces involve in regional affairs through energy cooperation with regional countries.In the energy game process,regional energy system is shaped and reformed by changing regional energy production and marketing structure,energy interaction mode and cooperation values.Then,the dynamics of regional energy competition and cooperation will be adjusted.By tracing the process of energy game in the Caspian Sea since the "Belt and Road" Initiative was proposed,it can be found that the energy cooperation between China and Caspian Sea countries has impacted the traditional energy export structure in the Caspian Sea region,changed the regional energy interaction mode,and constructed a new concept of energy cooperation.First of all,China’s huge energy market has strengthened the energy export diversification of Caspian Sea countries and broadened their energy export space.Secondly,China has properly handled its relations with regional hegemon Russia,creating a sound external environment for energy cooperation among Caspian Sea countries.Also,bilateral and multilateral cooperation between China and Caspian Sea countries has changed the past pattern of energy interaction that was based on taking sides and being exclusive.Last but not least,“Amity,sincerity,mutual benefit and inclusiveness”are the principles that China upholds as it moves ahead with the ’Belt and Road’ initiative.Decisions on every project of this initiative will be made by all stake holders,actions will be taken jointly and the benefits will be shared by all partners.It removes the anxious and vigilance of countries in the region,enhances the trust and intimacy between countries,and at the same time develops a concept of energy cooperation featuring mutual benefit and win-win results.In the context of economic globalization,countries in the world share weal and woe in their energy security.Only by building an energy community with a shared future can we achieve win-win outcomes for all countries.Since the Belt and Road Initiative was put forward,energy cooperation between China and countries bordering the Caspian Sea has become increasingly close,and bilateral political mutual trust and economic integration have also been enhanced.Exploring and building a new energy order in the Caspian Sea within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative will not only strengthen the mutually beneficial economic cooperation among the countries concerned,but also deepen and broaden the energy cooperation in the Caspian Sea.