The region around the Indian Ocean is a key area of the "the Belt and Road" initiative. It has rich oil and gas resources and maritime transportation arteries, which are crucial to the construction of a community of shared future around China. China has deep historical exchanges and friendships with countries in the Indian Ocean region, jointly addressing the uncertainty and challenges of the international situation.

Existing research on a community of shared future between China and the Indian Ocean region

The Indian Ocean region occupies an important position in China's geo strategy and has an important impact on the "the Belt and Road" and the security and stability of the western border. The country studies in this region have their own particularities, which are mainly based on safeguarding the territorial integrity of the country, the security of the core area and the safeguarding of the interests of countries in the "the Belt and Road" construction. The research areas mainly focus on international relations, foreign policy, regional history, and overseas Chinese. The concept of geopolitics in the Indian Ocean gradually established and developed with the colonial rule of Britain and France. Influenced by colonial policies, the situation of island countries in the Indian Ocean is complex, with issues such as maritime territorial disputes, illegal immigration, piracy, and ethnic separatism. Foreign scholars started their research on the issues surrounding the Indian Ocean region earlier, mainly focusing on security and politics, with some scholars paying attention to regional development, national politics, and social culture. Domestic scholars' research on Indian Ocean issues is weak and scattered, mainly focusing on the Indian Ocean security issues, economic issues and the relevance of the "the Belt and Road". The Indian Ocean Research Center of Yunnan University of Finance and Economics has published 9 reports on the development of the Indian Ocean region, laying a solid foundation for Chinese universities to conduct country specific research in the Indian Ocean region. However, the academic community at home and abroad has not yet conducted in-depth research on the evolution logic and path selection of the international system in the Indian Ocean, the correlation between the evolution of the Indian Ocean regional order and the construction of a "community with a shared future for mankind", and the practical problems and potential challenges faced by the construction of a community with a shared future between China and the Indian Ocean region. There is great room for improvement in both theoretical foundation research and development status research of the Indian Ocean region's country studies in the new era.

The Historical Basis for Building a Community of Shared Future between China and the Indian Ocean Region

Explored the historical foundation of the community of shared future between China and the Indian Ocean region, and emphasized the important role of the ancient Silk Road in promoting exchanges between China and the Indian Ocean region. The article mentions that despite harsh natural conditions, ancient Chinese pioneers opened up land and sea routes connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa, providing conditions for cultural exchange. Archaeological discoveries such as the "Gilded Bronze Silkworm" and the "Black Stone" ancient ship confirm the cultural integration between China and the Indian Ocean region before the arrival of Europeans. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, Zhang Qian's "Skybreaking Journey" and the expansion of sea land exchanges between China and the coastal areas of the Indian Ocean during the Tang and Song dynasties expanded. During the Yuan dynasty, Chinese merchants' footprints spread throughout the northern Indian Ocean region, and during the Ming dynasty, Zheng He's voyages to the West further expanded cultural exchanges between China and Indian Ocean countries. The Silk Road is not only a trade route, but also a route for cultural exchange and mutual learning, promoting the formation of commodity trade, knowledge system, and shared environment. The interconnection between ancient China and Mediterranean coastal countries achieved smooth trade and exchange of knowledge and technology, and the ideological consciousness of both sides resonated and resonated. The monsoon current cycle provides conditions for long-distance navigation across the Indian Ocean, forming multiple 'world systems'. From the 8th to the 15th century, Arabs controlled trade in the Indian Ocean. In the 16th century, Portugal and the Ottoman Empire engaged in a struggle over control of the Indian Ocean, and Britain ultimately achieved maritime hegemony. The monsoon trade led to the formation of a tribute trade system in the ancient Indian Ocean world, and the geographical discoveries of European navigators changed the traditional geopolitical pattern of the Indian Ocean. The two world wars of the 20th century and the polar confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union led to the fragmentation of the historical process of the Indian Ocean. After the end of the Cold War, the rise of world multipolarity and global governance reconnected the process of Indian Ocean civilization. The current order in the Indian Ocean region is undergoing accelerated evolution and uncertain future international changes, with democratic prosperity and development progress becoming the main theme of exchanges and cooperation among countries. After more than 40 years of reform and opening up, China has become a world power with comprehensive national strength second only to the United States, but there is still a long way to go in improving its international image and soft power. The communication and contact between China and the countries in the Indian Ocean region is at the best time in history. The "community of shared future for mankind" is an important platform for China to participate in the governance of the Indian Ocean region, which is conducive to the close integration of the Chinese dream and the beautiful dream pursued by people in the Indian Ocean region.

The Practical Path of Building a Community of Shared Future in the Three China Indian Ocean Regions

Explored the practical path of building a community of shared future between China and the Indian Ocean region, emphasizing the need for countries to work together to address challenges such as anti globalization on the basis of mutual respect and understanding. The core lies in finding reasonable forms to promote common development, not only in terms of economic equality, but also in mutual respect for culture and values. Four main paths have been proposed: firstly, to establish the concept of "global village" and the awareness of a community with a shared future for mankind, emphasizing the importance of facing challenges together and achieving win-win cooperation; Secondly, we should regain the cultural heritage of the Silk Road and use the cultural heritage of the "the Belt and Road" to guide diplomatic practice in the new era; Thirdly, we should leverage the concept of "harmony and cooperation" in regional governance, abandon zero sum game thinking, and promote win-win cooperation; Finally, we should attach importance to the fundamental role of people to people communication, strengthen the integration of policy resources and the construction of communication mechanisms, mobilize scientific research institutions, external media, and enterprises to explain policies to the outside world, play the bridging role of overseas Chinese, enhance people to people communication, and provide a good environment for building a community with a shared future.

Four concluding remarks

The community of shared future for mankind is China's diplomatic strategy to address geopolitical challenges in the 21st century. The China Indian Ocean community of shared future combines China's historical national conditions and the development needs of Indian Ocean countries to convey China's regional governance concept. China and Indian Ocean countries are building a bilateral community with a shared future, promoting regional peace and development, and resonating with global initiatives for development, security, and civilization. Building a community with a shared future for mankind is conducive to enriching its theoretical connotation and promoting its implementation. But facing challenges such as geopolitical fragmentation and anti globalization trends. China needs to regain its diplomatic heritage of peaceful coexistence, improve its institutional technology, create international public goods that are in line with the interests of both sides, and unleash the potential for new regional development cooperation and inclusive regional development governance.