The Belt and Road Initiative (B&R, also known as ‘One Belt, One Road’) unveiled by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013 is an important strategy of the nation. The Initiative aims to promote China’s connectivity with the rest of Asia, Europe, and Africa via the land-based ‘Silk Road Economic Belt’ and the seagoing ’21st Century Maritime Silk Road’, and strengthen cooperation in policy, infrastructure, trade, finance, and cultural bonding in people, providing a visionary blueprint for global economic development in the new world order. The routes cover more than 60 countries and regions from Asia to Europe via Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, West Asia and the Middle East, currently accounting for some 30% of global GDP and more than 35% of the world’s merchandise trade. By 2050, the B&R regions aims to contribute 80% of global GDP growth, and advance three billion more people into the middle class.

For details: http://www.oal.cuhk.edu.hk/beltroad/