This insightful book examines the growing role of China on the global stage by gauging the varying reactions of international spectators to Beijing's hugely significant Belt and Road Initiative. Featuring detailed studies of key geologistical projects, Peter Rimmer charts the swift transformation of China's domestic logistics systems into a global geologistics policy.Analyses of major international logistical projects, from the Great Stone Industrial Park of Belarus, through the ports of Gwadar, Piraeus, Darwin and Sabetta to the Nicaragua Canal, illustrate the global impact of China's geologistical developments and how key logistics skills are exported through the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. This book distils China's global logistics developments into three basic models - the transcontinental, the reverse and the classic - to reflect upon the effects of the first five years of the Belt and Road Initiative. Laced with detailed empirical studies and an array of illustrative maps, Rimmer assesses the domestic impact of the Initiative thus far and offers an astute appraisal of the imperial connotations of Beijing's global logistical project.

This enlightening book provides crucial insights for academics and researchers in political science, transport studies and economics investigating China's recent policy initiatives, particularly those who examine the impact of geologistics. Policymakers and commentators will also benefit from the author's unique empirical insight into global logistics development.