International competitiveness of China’s biomass products: a CMS and RCA analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 609-623
Author(s):  
Jing Shuai ◽  
Fubin Huang ◽  
Zhihui Leng ◽  
Xin Cheng
Keyword(s):  
International Competitiveness ◽  
Biomass Energy ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Belt And Road Initiative ◽  
Market Demand ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Comparative Advantages ◽  
Belt And Road ◽  
Energy Products ◽  
The Belt And Road

Purpose This paper aims to estimate the international competitiveness of China’s biomass energy products during 2007-2016 in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, the authors used the constant market share model and the revealed comparative advantage index to analyze the evolution trend of China’s biomass products’ international competitiveness during the past decade from 2007 to 2016 based on the market structure of the Belt and Road Initiative. Findings The results show that: China’s major biomass energy products have no comparative advantages in the world market, nevertheless, their international competitiveness is on the rise; China’s biomass energy products have been agglomerated to the regional markets where the market demand growth is fast in the Belt and Road countries; and the unreasonable structure is an important factor influencing the international competitiveness of China’s biomass exports. Originality/value The authors analyzed the international competitiveness of China’s biomass energy products based on the “Belt and Road Initiative” with all the trading items, in an effort to propose policy implications for enhancing the comparative advantages of China’s biomass products in the international market especially in the Belt and Road regions.

Viewpoint – could the belt and road initiative be derailed? An analysis of impediments to completion

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Enderwick
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Dynamic Environment ◽  
Belt And Road Initiative ◽  
Relative Significance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Belt And Road ◽  
Trade War ◽  
The Belt And Road

Purpose The continuation of China’s belt and road initiative (BRI) is assumed in most analyses. Yet, recent events have created significant reputational damage for China and Chinese businesses. With a trade war evolving into a hegemonic struggle, there are a number of potential developments that could derail the BRI. This paper aims to provide a contemporary review of the factors that could negatively impact its continuation, and what China has done to mitigate the risks. Design/methodology/approach A descriptive paper that groups possible disruptive factors into three groups: internal weaknesses of the BRI and its design; those related to China’s implementation of the BRI and external concerns and pressures. Findings China has actively reviewed and refined the BRI to reduce its perceived weaknesses and increase its attractiveness to potential participants, focussing on debt dependency, transparency and governance. However, this has occurred at the same time as growing concerns regarding China’s international assertiveness, the hegemonic challenge and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Research limitations/implications These changes are occurring within an extremely dynamic environment and any analysis at one point in time is subject to considerable limitations. However, the paper brings together a range of disparate perspectives in a structured manner. Originality/value The classification of possible threats to the BRI is original and provides insights into the relative significance of the diverse challenges that China faces. The paper concludes that while China’s operational focus on the mechanics of the BRI process is necessary, it may not be sufficient to ensure its continuing development. The paper identifies the next step which is conceptualisation of these ideas and of the BRI. Some guidance as to how this might be done is provided.

scholarly journals China’s Belt and Road Initiative and large-scale outbound investment

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shen Kunrong ◽  
Jin Gang
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Belt And Road Initiative ◽  
Chinese Enterprises ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cultural Exchanges ◽  
Institutional Differences ◽  
Belt And Road ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Enterprise Investment ◽  
The Belt And Road

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to comprehensively examine the influence of formal and informal institutional differences on enterprise investment margin, mode and result. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on 2,440 micro samples of large-scale outbound investment from 609 Chinese enterprises from the years 2005 to 2016. Findings The study has found that formal institutional differences have little impact on investment scale, but significantly affect investment diversification. In order to avoid the management risks brought by formal institutional differences, enterprises tend to a full ownership structure. However, the choice between greenfield investment and cross-border mergers and acquisitions is not affected by formal institutional differences. In contrast, the impact of informal institutional differences is more extensive. Both formal and informal institutional differences significantly increase the probability of investment failure. Further research found that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) bridges the formal institutional differences. Originality/value The study concludes that developing the BRI, especially cultural exchanges with countries alongside the Belt and Road, will help enterprises to “go global” faster and better.

Western pushback against China will increase

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Belt And Road Initiative ◽  
The West ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive View ◽  
Downward Spiral ◽  
Belt And Road ◽  
Public Views ◽  
The Belt And Road

Significance Senior US officials see Communist-led China as the foremost threat to the United States. The Trump administration’s campaign against it spans the spectrum of government actions: criticism; tariffs; sanctions; regulatory crackdowns; military intimidation; support for Taiwan; and restrictions on imports, exports, investment and visas. Impacts Beijing will have little success in driving a wedge between Washington and its major Western allies. The West is unlikely to produce a convincing alternative to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Negative public views of China incentivise China-bashing by politicians, which in turn feeds negative public opinion in a downward spiral. Beijing will persist in its efforts to encourage a more positive view of China among Western publics.

Promoting Korean international trade in the East Sea Economic Rim in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 212-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Tae-Woo Lee ◽  
Sung-Woo Lee ◽  
Zhi-Hua Hu ◽  
Kyoung-Suk Choi ◽  
Na Young Hwan Choi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
International Trade ◽  
Complex Network ◽  
Maritime Transportation ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
East Sea ◽  
Belt And Road Initiative ◽  
Maritime Logistics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Belt And Road ◽  
Ship Flows

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze maritime logistics connectivity of ports and shipping networks in the East Sea Economic Rim (ESER) to promote international trade in the context of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), considering centrality, primary flow and clustering interaction. Design/methodology/approach The paper applies a complex network model, using a big data system consisting of an automated identification system, electronic data interchange and distributive and complex data. Three perspectives, including connectivity in trading ports and regions, centralities in the realm of complex network and potential marketing and regional impacts, and sixteen criteria are considered for this analysis. A visual approach has been also applied to highlight port connectivity and ship flows for the reader’s convenience. Findings The paper shows that port connectivity and maritime logistics are enablers to promote Korean international trade in Northeast China through the ESER, and 25 major ports are well connected to promote international trade in the region with visual data of ship flows by ship type and by flag. Research limitations/implications Owing to the lack of port management information systems among the countries in the ESER except Korea and Japan, this paper could not capture cargo types and amounts on board. Port connectivity analysis shows links of the ports in the ESER to major ports in southeast Asia along the Twenty-first Century Maritime Silk Road (MSR). These results contribute to drawing policy implications to promote the ESER and provide suggestions for promoting Korean international trade by enhancing maritime logistics connectivity. Originality/value Unlike the existing literature showing descriptive and policy-oriented research related to ESER, this paper applied a vigorous method with a big amount of data to analyze port connectivity and ship flows in the ESER, considering China’s BRI affecting the global supply chain system, maritime transportation, and logistics. In addition, the paper shows how the seaports in the ESER are connected along the MSR.

scholarly journals Exploring Business English Talent Training Model under the Background of the Belt and Road Initiative

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 124
Author(s):  
Guihang Guo ◽  
Haimei Jin
Keyword(s):  
Evaluation System ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Training Model ◽  
Belt And Road Initiative ◽  
Market Demand ◽  
Business English ◽  
Major Power ◽  
Belt And Road ◽  
English Training ◽  
The Belt And Road

After thirty years of rapid development, China has become the second largest economy in the world. In order to strengthen economic cooperation with countries along the Belt and Road and assume more responsibilities as a major power, China has put forward the Belt and Road Initiative, which puts great pressure on the demand for Business English talents in society. However, at present, there is a shortage of high-level Business English talents in China. The traditional Business English talent training model cannot meet the needs of the business industry, which results in the serious disconnection between the cultivation of business talents and the market demand. Under the background of the Belt and Road Initiative, how to cultivate Business English talents has become a strategic issue. This research firstly combs the research of Business English talent training objectives and training model from the perspective of ESP Needs Analysis Theory, and then discusses the drawbacks of the current Business English training model from such aspects as curriculum setting, teaching system, and evaluation system, and gives suggestions in order to explore an appropriate Business English training model that meets the needs of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Prospects for the Belt and Road Initiative in 2019-23

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Policy ◽  
Outer Space ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Belt And Road Initiative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Central Asian ◽  
Belt And Road ◽  
The Belt And Road

Subject Prospects for the Belt and Road Initiative in 2019-23. Significance Five years on, China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has become a multi-purpose foreign policy brand that encompasses far more than was initially envisaged. It has evolved from an initiative focused on Central Asian infrastructure to one with industrial, technological, environmental and legal components, and which extends geographically as far as the Arctic and into outer space.

China will determine the future of the Mekong region

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Poverty Alleviation ◽  
Development Projects ◽  
Belt And Road Initiative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mekong Region ◽  
Industrial Projects ◽  
Belt And Road ◽  
Regional Institution ◽  
Economic Zones ◽  
The Belt And Road

Subject China's involvement in the Mekong region. Significance China’s Lancang-Mekong Cooperation initiative involves dam and development projects, special economic zones and trade. It is integrating the region into the Belt and Road Initiative and has largely eclipsed the existing regional institution established by the downstream Mekong states. Impacts China's Mekong policies may foreshadow its approach to other regions and issues as it becomes more active in world affairs. Beijing will try to reduce the risk of a backlash by funding poverty-alleviation, development and industrial projects in the region. China's activities in the South China Sea will increase other governments' suspicion regarding Chinese activities on the Mekong.

scholarly journals Integrating international student mobility in the belt and road initiative

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-47
Author(s):  
Xuan Wu ◽  
Wing Kit Chan
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Performance Indicators ◽  
International Student ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Student Mobility ◽  
Belt And Road Initiative ◽  
International Student Mobility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Belt And Road ◽  
The Belt And Road

Purpose Before the turn of the century, taking overseas students was more about a diplomatic issue dominated by the state in China, for which reason this section is relatively independent within the higher education system. However, evidence from a series of new policy documents and their impacts suggests that international student mobility (ISM) has been intensively shaped by the central government in the desire to promote its national strategy, namely the belt and road initiative. ISM policy, although with a significant proportion marketized, was introduced for a clear purpose of cultural diplomacy. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach Looking beyond the debate of market-driven vs state-dominated, this paper attempts to provide a thorough understanding of this changing pattern based on examination of key changes of policy statements along with official data analysis. Findings This paper argues that the new pattern must be understood against a context of a hierarchy of higher education institutes in contemporary China: a sector led by a small number of prestigious universities generously funded by the central government with a large number of ordinary universities underfunded and eager to generate income. Prestigious institutes enroll international students to satisfy performance indicators listed by policies like “Double First-rate”; other universities, benefiting from the reputation and momentum generated by the top ones, take self-funded students for profit. Originality/value By making good use of both performance indicators and market motives, the country managed to move a state-dominated ISM policy in the twentieth century into the existing state-steering marketization model and made China a major destination for overseas study.

scholarly journals Comparative Advantages of Free Trade Port Construction in Shanghai under the Belt and Road Initiative

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 6
Author(s):  
Hao Hu ◽  
Shufang Wang ◽  
Jin-liao He
Keyword(s):  
Free Trade ◽  
Institutional Innovation ◽  
Free Trade Zone ◽  
Belt And Road Initiative ◽  
Free Trade Zones ◽  
Comparative Advantages ◽  
Belt And Road ◽  
Trade Port ◽  
The Belt And Road ◽  
Opening Up

As China’s opening-up grows wider under the Belt and Road Initiative, the exploration and construction of free trade ports have received increasing attention. In 2018, China’s first free trade port was settled in Hainan instead of Shanghai. In 2019, after the Lingang New Area of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone was approved by the central government, six new pilot free trade zones were launched in Shandong, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Jiangsu, Yunnan, and Guangxi provinces. As the bridgehead of the Belt and Road Initiative, Shanghai established the first and biggest pilot free trade zone in China and gained the priority of institutional innovation exploration in Lingang New Area. Whether and how Shanghai will lead the construction of free trade ports and the new round of higher-level opening-up has become a research agenda that requires further study. Based on the document analysis, competition analysis and factor analysis in this paper, the following results were drawn out: (1) The construction of a free trade port is an upgrade of the 18 free trade zones and the 50 cities involved, and it needs more high-level opening-up, more sophisticated services, more rigorous supervision, and more professional talent; (2) With its geographical location, economic foundation, development support, and industrial services, Shanghai has the potential, foundation, and momentum to explore institutional innovation in the construction of pilot free trade zones and free trade port; (3) Development basis, port shipping, talent attraction, service support, risk supervision and control are the five major comparative advantages and the important driving factors that need to be considered in exploring and leading the construction of China’s free trade port under the higher quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative.

US-China competition will create Middle East dilemmas

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
The United States ◽  
Belt And Road Initiative ◽  
Economic Interests ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Key Sectors ◽  
History Of ◽  
Belt And Road ◽  
The Belt And Road

Significance The Middle East has long been polarised between US allies and enemies, while Beijing has historically retained a comparatively smaller footprint and rejected taking sides in regional political and security disputes. However, its economic interests are increasing. Impacts The United States will maintain a comparative advantage from its long history of political, military and economic cooperation in the region. Beijing could leverage its control over large industrial conglomerates in key sectors such as energy, infrastructure and biotechnology. The Belt and Road Initiative will be an attractive project for all Middle Eastern countries, maximising their geographical advantages.

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