Digital Silk Road and Contemporary Theory of Digitalization

The Digital Silk Road is an important project that is increasing digital connectivity and contributing to economic integration in different regions. The Contemporary Theory of Digitalization (CToD), often known as the theory of digitalization, provides a multidimensional approach that includes technological, institutional, economic, and socio-technical dimensions of the digital transformation. This chapter creates a theoretical connection between DSR and CToD and states that digitalization is not only about the development of the infrastructures, but also about systematic transformation of governance, industrial frameworks, and organizational cultures. It emphasizes that CToD facilitates the transformation of conventional economic systems to digitally integrated systems by harmonizing technological implementation and legal systems, human capital growth, and data management. Special focus is placed on the problems of digital sovereignty, regulatory balance, and technological integration with institutional capacity. The chapter discussed how interoperable standards, digital diplomacy, and cybersecurity collaboration can minimize legal fragmentation and improve coordination across the involved countries. It also takes into account the regulatory voids of new technologies like artificial intelligence, big data, and blockchain, and the need to have certainty in the law to develop digital sustainability.