A Comparative Analysis of Strategic Values of Four Silk-Road International Transport Corridors Based on a Fuzzy Integral Method with Comprehensive Weights

Abstract

This paper carries out a comparative analysis of the strategic values of four silk-road international transport corridors, “China-Pakistan-Iran-Turkey” (CPIT), “China-Mongolia-Russia” (CMR), “Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar” (BCIM), and “China-Singapore-Egypt-Greece” (CSEG). These corridors aim to reactivate the Northwest, North, South, and Marine Silk Road during the period of the “Belt and Road” (B&R), reflect China’s overarching strategic goal of “furnishing land-sea internal and external linkage and achieving east-west mutual aid,” and possess important strategic values. To facilitate the comparison, this paper constructs a hierarchical model and evaluation index system for assessing the strategic value of international transport corridors (SVITC). From China’s perspective, this paper uses a fuzzy integral method with comprehensive weights to evaluate and compare the SVITC of the four international corridors as fuzzy integrals can handle interdependent indices and comprehensive weights can accommodate both subjective and objective weights. In the evaluation process, we first clarify the strategic attributes and characteristics of each corridor and identify its corresponding missions so that the overseas infrastructure projects along the four corridors can be carried out smoothly. By assessing their strategic values and ranking them accordingly, we offer the policy maker with useful information to prioritize investment opportunities and deploy limited resources in the construction of these corridors. Finally, this comparative study identifies the weaknesses and strengths in different corridors, which allow them to learn from each other, make joint progress, and strengthen linkages and integrations, thereby providing a set of feasible solutions for the construction of B&R international corridors.