Middle Powers and “the Belt and Road” International Cooperation: Research on Role Attributes, Functional Positioning and Countermeasures

In the new stage of high-quality joint construction of “the Belt and Road”, it is necessary to achieve the goal of enhancing cost-benefit effect and increasing the resource utilization and concentration of “the Belt and Road” by focusing on the key points and taking the overall situation into consideration, following the cooperation path of one-way drive, two-way interaction and multi-directional linkage, and through the way of “gathering points to form a line, and bringing along the entire area”. The middle powers do not form a direct competition with China as a major country, and are generally more active towards “the Belt and Road” than the group of large countries. At the same time, middle powers are the group with the highest comprehensive strength ranking outside of large countries, and play an undeniable guiding and interconnected role at the global and regional levels. Especially in the interregional interaction between the world and regions, the distinctive attributes of middle powers—being more capable than ordinary small and medium-sized states and more willing to play a role than big powers—determine their high compatibility with the functional positioning of “the Belt and Road” as a new model of regional cooperation at the present stage. Therefore, from the perspectives of subjective will and objective conditions, this paper draws the conclusion that middle powers can play a supporting role in the high-quality joint construction of “the Belt and Road”. It also proposes that middle powers should leverage their pivotal role by strengthening targeted, reserve, and forward-looking research, as well as by strategically managing diplomacy with major powers.