by Jikkie Verlare & Frans Paul van der Putten (Clingendael Institute)

China’s initiative for a modern-day silk road, known as ‘One Belt, One Road’ (OBOR), aims to connect Asia, Africa, Europe and their near seas. Under the definition contained in Xi Jinping’s New Security Concept stating that ‘development equals security’, OBOR can be conceptualized as the most ambitious infrastructure-based security initiative in the world today. This has major implications for geopolitical relations and stability in various regions. It would be beneficial for the European Union (EU) member states to invest in a common response to OBOR, as opposed to engaging with this initiative primarily at the national level. This Clingendael Policy Brief explores how the EU’s existing policy tools and frameworks might be used for enhanced Sino–European security co-operation in relation to OBOR.  It is argued that if the European Union works with China under the framework of the EU–China strategic partnership, to align with, inter alia, the planned restructuring of its European Neighbourhood Policy, as well as projects included under its European Maritime Security Strategy and Partnership Instrument to link with the so-called ‘Belt’ and ‘Road’ projects, this would entail true added value for the EU. These steps should be part of the EU’s new Global Strategy for Foreign Policy and Security, which is due to be published in June 2016. This would go beyond the tendency of EU member states to compete for the benefits of increased Chinese investments on their own territories, but instead embed China’s initiative in the common European strategic goal of gaining a larger security footprint in neighbouring regions…

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AmCham China

Most analyses of China’s One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative tend to focus on two core aspects of President Xi Jinping’s ambitious vision of a more interconnected Europe, Asia and Africa: the political motivations behind it, and whether the economic realities even render Beijing’s plans for a modern Silk Road feasible. While the political focus tends to be on Beijing looking eastward for alliances in the wake of an increasing post-pivot US presence and the recent conclusion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (which includes the US, but not China), economic conditions in China are increasing the urgency and necessity of new opportunities to put its vast manufacturing powers to use. But despite the many criticisms and concerns over China’s political objectives and whether or not OBOR will realize its full potential, this initiative has already begun to alter the Eurasian economic and business landscape through its creation of financial capital, pushing of economic and legal reforms, and increased institutionalization of the region…

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By Graham Norris (Senior Director of Communications, AmCham China)

When facing adversity, it makes sense to draw on the experience of history, and with 5,000 years to review, China’s leaders have no shortage of comparisons to make with the current era. China is on the rise economically and politically, but the economy is struggling to transition to a more sustainable mode of development. Moreover, infrastructure-driven growth has created an overcapacity hangover that threatens to unravel excessively leveraged lending systems in the provinces. What to do?...

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By the Economist Intelligence Unit

It is no accident that China’s President, Xi Jinping, will attend the UK-China Business Summit during his visit to the Britain this week, since business, trade and investment lie at the heart of the future agenda for developing relations between the two countries. While deals are expected to be signed across a range of sectors, and there is anticipation of further co-operation in financial markets, there are five key elements in the future of UK-China economic relations, which can be encapsulated in the following acronyms: RMB, CIPS, OBOR, AIIB, and FTA. These are the steps on the ladder to help the UK achieve its stated objective of becoming ‘China’s best partner in the West’……

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By the Economist Intelligence Unit

The UK’s relationship with China was centre stage during President Xi’s visit to the West last week, with many wondering what’s next for the economic relationship. The answer is President Xi’s ‘One Belt, One Road initiative’ (OBOR), which could be a gamechanger for China, and open up new opportunities for British business……

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By McKinsey & Company

China signaled its intention to revive the economic power of the ancient Silk Road with two new initiatives in 2013 - the Silk Road Economic Belt and a 21st-century Maritime Silk Road. Now is the time to put flesh on these concepts and make China’s One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative a reality.

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By Andrew Sheng

Andrew Sheng says the world needs a strong Chinese currency as much as the Chinese themselves.

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By Andrew Sheng and Xiao Geng

Andrew Sheng and Xiao Geng write on the influence China's AIIB could have on areas beyond infrastructure-building.

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By Pamela Mar

Pamela Mar says China's new infrastructure bank could underwrite Asia's efforts to build a sustainable future.

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By Patrick Low

Patrick Low writes on the need to avoid certain pitfalls as China seeks to push ahead with its One Belt, One Road Initiative.

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