Belt and Road Initiative

China’s Constructive Role in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Tapestry

The 23rd meeting of the Council of the Heads of Government of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation...

Looking at the CPEC with Renewed Optimism

Overhauling Pakistan’s economic strategy and carrying out social development reforms remain a priority for the new government and Pakistan can learn a lot from China’s reforms under the late Deng Xiaoping that were most practical and achievable as they focused more on sustainability than high rates of economic growth, resulting in unprecedented achievements over time.

Full Steam Ahead on the China-Europe Express Route

Wherever you are right now, there is a high probability something around you was imported from China. You might be using some electronics, in a shopping mall, or driving your car (hopefully not whilst reading this) but no matter what, there is a very big chance you are close to something made from there. This isn’t a new phenomenon of course. China is the number one exporting country in the world, exporting more than $2,157,000 million worth of goods in 2017 alone. Yet how these goods are being transported to European shopping malls, supermarkets and homes, is new. Last month, the China-Europe Express, sometimes referred to as the China-Europe Freight Train, reached a significant milestone, when it clocked its 10,000th journey from Wuhan, in central China, to Europe. Previously, goods from China had always arrived into Europe in the back of a freight plane or stowed in the bow of a ship. The reason for this was simple, air freight was significantly quicker than train and ship freight was a lot cheaper. Yet now, more and more trade between China and Europe is being done along the Belt and Road (B&R) using freight trains, which is reducing costs and increasing delivery speed. From Yilin to London, Xi’an to Hamburg Since 2013 B&R has been connecting China with the rest of […]

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China and Africa: Sharing the Future

The 2018 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit opened on Monday afternoon with President Xi Jinping delivering a keynote speech titled, Work Together for Common Development and a Shared Future. The following three points really impressed me. Δ Chinese President Xi Jinping (C, back) meets the press together with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (L, back) and Senegalese President Macky Sall, former and new African co-chair of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), after the conclusion of the 2018 FOCAC Beijing Summit at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2018. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) The relationship between FOCAC and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was clearly expressed. Since the BRI was proposed in 2013, many African governments have been very concerned about the position of FOCAC. Xi’s speech made it clear that FOCAC will continue and will not be replaced by the BRI. In fact, the BRI is providing new strategic opportunities for all African countries. Through the convergence of the BRI with the African Union Agenda 2063, the United Nations Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and the development strategies of all African countries, Africa will surely be integrated into the implementation of the BRI and support its development goals. Actually, the aim of FOCAC and the BRI is consistent: common development through […]

Highlights from President Xi’s speech at FOCAC Beijing summit

The country follows a “five-no” approach in its relations with Africa: no interference in African countries’ pursuit of development paths that fit their national conditions; no interference in African countries’ internal affairs; no imposition of China’s will on African countries; no attachment of political strings to assistance to Africa; and no seeking of selfish political gains in investment and financing cooperation with Africa.

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