Su Changhe, Vice president of School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Fudan University 

Abstract：The idea of connectivity is a concept that describes the contemporary world and conceives its future. Compared to the concepts and theories such as globalization and integration, the idea of connectivity refers to a different world vision. Regional collaboration is still heavily influenced by the theory of integration. In this vein, many regions are seeking to transplant the experience of European integration. However, for some particular regions, the idea of connectivity might be more appropriate than that of integration. The region collaboration that some countries are exploring its plausibility is more connectivity-oriented than integration-oriented. As for the relations between China and the world, the Belt and Road Initiative is well beyond the theoretical framework of globalization or integration. It is rather an effort to establish new connections in such a way that China can create another paradigm in the international relations. The development of this recently proposed theory of connectivity is becoming a contemporary theoretical topic for scholar as well as for the practice of global governance. If emerging countries can surmount the actual pattern determined by the traditional international relations, it is entirely possible that these countries will play a leading role in the future development of international relations.