Přehled o publikaci

As part of the widely publicised Belt and Road Initiative, the Space Silk Road (alternatively labelled as Space Information Corridor) was launched as an offshoot in 2016. Beijing recognised its great potential, transforming it into a centrepiece of the Belt and Road Initiative. The Space Silk Road serves as a tool for China’s increased emphasis on technological space collaboration with Russia as part of the two states declared “unlimited partnership” as well as with the Global South. These actors represent crucial partners for China as a great power within the current international order defined by heightened great power competition. Given the strategic importance of outer space, the Space Silk Road provides vital assurance for preserving Beijing’s core interests through these partnerships. Through the analysis of hallmark projects of the Space Silk Road, this chapter explores the nature of space relations between China and Russia, as well as with the states of the Global South. Two key sets of hallmark projects are analysed: The first one is China’s BeiDou navigation satellite system and its connection to Russia’s GLONASS constellation, which demonstrates China’s and Russia’s shared goal of creating a reliable indigenous alternative to the American GPS navigation system, suitable also for new partners in the Global South. The second set of projects refers to communication and remote-sensing satellites. As part of the Space Silk Road, China offers low-cost launching services, data centre building, data sharing, and Internet connection provision as tools to increase its influence and leverage among Global South states. China strives to engage these new partners to solidify its position as a leading space power in the Multipolar World Order 2.0, as the race for influence in outer space mirrors the patterns of geopolitical great-power rivalry on Earth (Astropolitics)