China's new Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road economic strategies confirm the adage that rising powers make all the right decisions while falling ones (such as the British Empire in the first half of the 20th century) make all the wrong ones.

Premier Li Keqiang's visits to Kazakhstan and Thailand mark an important step forward in implementing these important strategies, as he will promote and seek agreements to create massive infrastructure projects.

The two destinations were skillfully chosen for Li. Both have vibrant, booming economies but both are also worried about Islamic terrorist groups trying to destabilize them and derail their economic growth. The governments in Astana and Bangkok both realize the importance of renewing economic growth as the best prophylactic against these security challenges.