Iranian Research letter of International Politics

Abstract Through his expeditions in Central Asia, Zhang Qian obtained information that made China realize it could enhance its overall political, economic, and military conditions by exerting influence in Central Asia—and even make the establishment of a direct connection to Rome possible. This study, which takes as its central question the reasons behind China’s turn toward Central Asia both in ancient history, with Zhang Qian’s travels, and in contemporary times, with the Belt and Road Initiative, adopts a comparative approach and argues that the Belt and Road Initiative is a project rooted in China’s historical foundations that pursues dominance over the world’s land and seas. Accordingly, in the terrestrial segment of this initiative, China has once again turned its attention to Central Asia, maintaining the aforementioned components in line with its interests, and now seeks—on a more evolved level—to utilize Central Asia as a secure zone to support its global influence.