China’s Xi lays out $900bn Silk Road vision amid claims of empire-building

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Series Details 14.05.17
Publication Date 14/05/2017
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China hosted a major conference called the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, 14-15 May 2017 to highlight and promote one of China's major foreign and economic policy initiatives - the Belt and Road Initiative.

The initiative aimed to strengthen China's economic leadership in the world through a massive programme of infrastructure building throughout China’s neighbouring regions in Asia and onward to Europe, Africa and America.

A number of western European countries only sent ministers or lower-ranking officials to the forum, as opposed to heads of state and government, in a sign of unease about the plan, which some saw as an attempt to promote Chinese global influence. There was also said to be reservations about the initiative's lack of transparency and formal structure.

The Economist wrote that the ultimate aim of the Belt and Road Initiative was to make Eurasia (dominated by China) an economic and trading area to rival the transatlantic one (dominated by America).

Source Link Link to Main Source https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/14/china-xi-silk-road-vision-belt-and-road-claims-empire-building
Related Links
The Guardian, 12.05.17: [Analysis]: The $900bn question: What is the Belt and Road initiative? https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/12/the-900bn-question-what-is-the-belt-and-road-initiative
The Diplomat, 12.05.17: Who Is Actually Attending China's Belt and Road Forum? http://thediplomat.com/2017/05/who-is-actually-attending-chinas-belt-and-road-forum/
The Diplomat: Tag: Belt and Road Forum http://thediplomat.com/tag/belt-and-road-forum/
UK: GOV.UK: HM Treasury: Speech, 14.05.17: Belt and Road Forum in Beijing: Chancellor's speech https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/belt-and-road-forum-in-beijing-chancellors-speech
Xinhuanet: News, 17.05.17: Belt and Road forum strengthens trade ties, sounds call against protectionism http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-05/17/c_136289697.htm
ESO: Background information: Why China’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative should be taken more seriously by the EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/why-chinas-one-belt-one-road-initiative-should-be-taken-more-seriously-by-the-eu/
Deutsche Welle, 14.05.17: Germany wants more guarantees from China over 'Silk Road' trade plan http://p.dw.com/p/2cwTo
BBC News, 14.05.17: China invests $124bn in Belt and Road global trade project http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-39912671
European Commission: DG Communication: SPEECH/17/1322, 14.05.17: Remarks by Jyrki Katainen, Vice President of the European Commission at the High Level Dialogue Session of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-17-1322_en.htm
European Commission: DG Communication: SPEECH/17/1332, 15.05.17: Speech by Jyrki Katainen, Vice President of the European Commission at the Leaders' Roundtable of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-17-1332_en.htm
EurActiv, 17.05.17: [Opinion]: China’s ambitious Silk Road summit http://www.euractiv.com/section/china/opinion/chinas-ambitious-silk-road-summit/
Hungary: Government: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade: News, 14.05.17: The One Belt, One Road strategy represents a major opportunity for Europe http://www.kormany.hu/en/ministry-of-foreign-affairs-and-trade/news/the-one-belt-one-road-strategy-represents-a-major-opportunity-for-europe
The Diplomat, 16.05.17: What Did China Accomplish at the Belt and Road Forum? http://thediplomat.com/2017/05/what-did-china-accomplish-at-the-belt-and-road-forum/
Xinhuanet: News, 15.05.17: Full text: Joint communique of leaders roundtable of Belt and Road forum http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-05/15/c_136286378.htm
The Economist: Blog, 15.05.17: The Economist explains: What is China’s belt and road initiative? http://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2017/05/economist-explains-11
EUObserver, 17.08.17: [Opinion]: Chinese road to riches or road to ruin? https://euobserver.com/opinion/138748
The Conversation, 05.09.17: Why China’s audacious building plans could be a major strain on African economies https://theconversation.com/why-chinas-audacious-building-plans-could-be-a-major-strain-on-african-economies-81115

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