Abstract: The authors analyze the stages of the “One belt, one road” (OBOR) initiative and focus their attention on the evolution, problems and prospects of the Economic Belt of the Silk Road, as well as explore the initiatives in China’s foreign policy strategy. The subject of this research is the directions of cooperation within the framework of the OBOR initiative. The goal of this work is to determine the reasons for China’s increased attention towards the initiative, as well as the reasons for interest of the sides in intensification of contacts within the initiative, as well as positions of multiple countries concerning this project. The scientific novelty of this research is defined by the comprehensive analysis of the transnational cooperation, using various literary sources and consideration of the evolution of the foreign policy doctrine of the People’s Republic of China. Taking into account the interest of China towards successful implementation of the OBOR initiative, the importance of a number of foreign countries to ensure uninterrupted turnover and delivery of Chinese goods to the European market becomes evident. Considering the results of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the hypothesis that the “new era” is going to put China as one of the global leaders becomes more likely, which is also impossible without continued high rate of economic growth.

Abstract: The subject of the research is the political and economic relations arising between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Gabon. The object of the research is the history of the development of their relationship. The authors of the article focus on the status of Gabon in Africa and the role of Gabon in the development of Sino-African cooperation and extrapolitical interests of Gabon. The authors mention the main treates that have been forming the basis for the dialogue between these two countries and describe the reasons why these countries are interested in each other in this day and age. The methodology of the research include: 1. General research methods (comparison, description, etc.). 2. Historical: historical-genetic approach (that is used to analyze how China's external policy course has been developing). 3. Political expertise (opinions of experts in Sino-African relations, problems, perspectives of China's external policy). The scientific novelty of the research is caused by the following: 1. The authors define the place of Africa in external political priorities of the People's Republic of China. 2. They demonstrate that both countries are interested in their cooperation. 3. They carried out a comparative analysis of Gabon's policy towards the People's Republic of China and France. 5. They prove that there is a dependence between a changed model of China's development and China's policy towards Gabon. 

Abstract: The authors of the article consider the development of relations between the People's Republic of China and the Kingdom of Sweden from the date of their establishment to the present; identify the peculiarities and problems of interaction as well as new niches for bilateral dialogue development and predict trends in the development of cooperation between the States under consideration. The analysis of relations between China and Sweden is relevant due to the fact that from year to year the interaction between them is becoming more intense in various areas of bilateral dialogue. The basis of the research methodology is the historical and genetic method, political expertise, analysis of official documents, as well as analysis of statistical data. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the attempt to define the role of Sweden in providing stable and sustainable development of strategic partnership between the PRC and the EU. The authors come to the conclusion that the parties are interested in strengthening interstate cooperation, which will serve as an incentive of interaction enhancement. 

Abstract: The author analyses the PRC's experience in developing the energy strategy and the place of African states in China's energy security. The subject of the study is evolution of approaches of the PRC to energy security, development of a holistic energy security strategy and actions to ensure it. The purpose of the work is to identify the causes of the increasing attention of China towards Africa, to conduct an analysis of methods for energy security implementation, to disclose the PRC's energy functions, to determine the nature of China's interaction with leading African countries on energy security matters, and the investment policy of the PRC. The article uses a system approach, i.e. the foreign policy of the State is seen as a system of political intentions, as well as a historical comparative method that allowed the author to conduct an analyse of changes in private and general factors of the PRC's foreign policy on the African continent based on the chronology of the development of inter-State relations. The conclusions of the study can be used to predict the direction for the development of relations between the PRC and African countries. The scientific novelty of the study is determined by a comprehensive analysis of the PRC's energy strategy with the aid of various sources and literature with due consideration of the evolution of the PRC's foreign policy doctrine. Given a low level of self-sufficiency in fuel resources, the leaders of the PRC as well as state energy companies are interested in reducing the risks of supply disruptions, stability in energy products exporting regions. In view of the results of the XIX Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, there is no doubt that the content of the "new era" should bring the PRC to the world leaders, which is impossible without the establishment of energy security. For a long time Africa has been one of the important regions for the PRC in terms of the strategy of supply diversification. All of that requires close attention and deeper examination.