The Importance of International Water Law to the Successful Implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative: Evidence from Central Asia

Author(s):  
Imad Antoine Ibrahim
2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-57
Author(s):  
Gaziza Shakhanova ◽  
Jeremy Garlick

The Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is a key partner in China’s Belt, and Road Initiative (BRI), since it comprises the majority of territories which the BRI’s overland route, the Silk Road Economic Belt, needs to traverse as it crosses Central Asia on the way to Europe. The goal of this article is to explore the BRI in the context of BRI–EAEU coordination. The first part of the analysis focusses on the ways the Eurasian Economic Commission delineates the “Greater Eurasian Partnership” and counterposes it against China and the BRI. Then, the article compares two sets of interpretations of the BRI and “Greater Eurasian Partnership” obtained from interviews with elites in Kazakhstan and Russia. The interviews indicate that the BRI has had a much more forceful impact on local elites than Russia’s idea of “Greater Eurasian Partnership.”


Purpose. The paper examines the peculiarities of the contemporary state and opportunities of further development of strategic partnership between Ukraine and China. The purpose of the paper is to study the state of implementation of the "Belt and Road Initiative" within the strategic partnership between Ukraine and China, as well as to identify threats and prospects for this form of cooperation for economic development of Ukraine. Scientific novelty. The paper analyzes the scientific achievements of domestic and foreign researchers on the possibilities of Ukraine's inclusion in the "Belt and Road Initiative", it has been analyzed the current state of strategic partnership between Ukraine and China in the aspect of the project implementation, analyzed the dynamics of bilateral trade between Ukraine and China over the past 10 years, and disclosed the commodity structure of foreign trade between the countries. Investment flows between China and Ukraine have been analyzed, implemented, projected and not implemented projects of Ukraine, which were financed by Chinese investments have been considered. SWOT analysis of straegic cooperation between Ukraine and China in terms of the "Belt and Road Initiative" was carried out and a set of recommendations for the strategic partnership development between Ukraine and China was proposed in the paper. Results. The dynamics of trade in services between Ukraine and China during the studied period had the following changes: growth was observed from 2011, 2014, 2016 and 2019, a positive balance for Ukraine was from 2009 to 2013. The structure of Ukrainian exports of services to China was dominated by: transport services 54.3%, business services 22.8%, repair and maintenance services, which do not belong to other categories 8.2%. The structure of imports of services from China was dominated by: services related to financial activities 57.7%, transport services 6.2%. Currently there is a significant imbalance in trade operations between Ukraine and the People's Republic of China. The largest share in the sectoral structure of Chinese direct investments in the share capital occupies the industry – 33.1%, in particular processing industry - 30.6%, extractive industry - 1.8%; professional and scientific-technical activities – 24.3%, as well as agriculture – 19.9% (Fig. 2). The SWOT-analysis conducted of opportunities, advantages, threats and advantages of strategic cooperation between Ukraine and China in terms of the "Belt and Road Initiative" proves the presence of a large number of possible directions for cooperation between the countries, but their successful implementation of these opportunities largely depends on the desire for cooperation between the governments of both countries. Practical significance. The results of this study can be used by the authorities at the state level to improve the conditions of strategic partnership between Ukraine and China, to attract foreign investment in the necessary sectors of the economy.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 732-742
Author(s):  
Elena A. Egorycheva

Over the past decades, Russia and China have been steadily deepening their cooperation. It is seen in many fields: mutual trade agreements, investment and scientific cooperation, ecological and environment solutions to global issues. Russia is actively engaged in the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China. Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan are engaged in it as well. Some of them are also members of the Eurasian Economic Union. The paper aimed to identify China’s and Russia’s current interests in these countries, as Central Asia (CA) is the area where Russia’s and China’s interests coincide. Trade relations between the analyzed countries are considered in it. The paper also addresses investment projects under Belt and Road Initiative, which China has been financing in CA countries.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-114
Author(s):  
Qianqian Luli

Abstract This article reports on the author’s initial research on the motivations of Chinese students to study in Indonesia since 2013 when President Xi Jinping proposed that Indonesia become involved in China’s “Belt and Road” Initiative. As part of the ongoing research by the Indonesian Studies Center of Fujian Normal University, this paper explores current trends and conditions of student exchanges between Indonesia and China. The primary motivation for Chinese students to study abroad has usually been to obtain a better quality of education and an international degree, something that is more encouraged under the Belt and Road Initiative. It was found, however, that the number of Chinese students studying in Indonesia has not increased significantly during the past five years. There are several structural factors hindering the successful implementation of student exchange programs. These may be directly related to students’ place of origin, the majors they choose, or the level of the degrees which they obtained.


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