Eurasia Review
11 March 2015
- RSIS
- Media Mentions
- China’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ Initiative: New Round of Opening Up? – Analysis
China’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ Initiative: New Round of Opening Up? – Analysis
China’s “One Belt, One Road” Initiative has become a priority in Beijing’s foreign policy. Other countries, especially China’s neighbours, should not hesitate to capitalise on the opportunities it provides. But can China fulfil its ambition?
By Li Mingjiang*
China’s President Xi Jinping put forth the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road proposals, also known as the “One Belt, One Road” Initiative, during his visits to Kazakhstan and Indonesia in September and October 2013 respectively. Since then, the “One Belt, One Road” grand project, also known as the “Belt and Road” (BRI), has become a priority in China’s foreign policy drive.
Although the BRI idea is much-discussed at almost every major international affairs forum or conference in China, the outside world does not seem to be too excited over it or has overlooked the significance of this important emerging Chinese strategy.
…Li Mingjiang is an associate professor and coordinator of the China Prorgramme at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. This is the first in a series on China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
IDSS / GPO / Online
