China’s Balkan investments will expand into new areas

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Belt And Road Initiative ◽  
Infrastructure Projects ◽  
Local Economies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Local Currency ◽  
Transport Connectivity ◽  
Balkan Countries ◽  
Chinese Policy ◽  
Belt And Road ◽  
Second Wave

Subject BRI’s evolving nature. Significance China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is establishing ‘anchor’ investments and creating BRI clusters, particularly in transport connectivity and energy. Such anchor investments as Cosco’s in Piraeus or Belgrade’s Friendship Bridge serve as catalysts, attracting more Chinese companies and setting the stage for expansion. Impacts Continued concessional lending by Chinese policy banks for infrastructure projects in Balkan countries will increase the risk of debt traps. Mitigating the currency risks of such lending arrangements by switching to local currency lending will gain pace. A second wave of BRI-related activities is starting with Huawei, Tencent, Alibaba and WeChat making inroads in local economies.

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.

Risk analysis of belt and road infrastructure projects using integrated ISM-MICMAC approach

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Ajmal Nikjow ◽  
Li Liang ◽  
Qi Xijing ◽  
Harshad Sonar
Keyword(s):  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Chinese Government ◽  
Infrastructure Projects ◽  
Interpretive Structural Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hierarchical Relationship ◽  
Belt And Road ◽  
Infrastructure Project

Purpose The historic Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is an economic reform policy proposed by the Chinese Government that focuses on connectivity, improved collaboration and more robust economic relations. This paper aims to identify risks involved in BRI infrastructure project and establish a hierarchical relationship among them. Design/methodology/approach The methodology includes two phases, namely, identification of significant risks involved in the BRI project using systematic literature review and to develop a hierarchical relationship between the risks using interpretive structural modeling followed by the MICMAC analysis. Findings This work has identified the 11 risks of BRI infrastructure projects through academic literature. Based on the analysis, economic risk (R3), environmental risk (R1) and political risk (R2) are placed at level six in the ISM model and can significantly influence BRI infrastructure projects. These risks have high driving power, which exaggerates other risks. Research limitations/implications This study would help Engineering Procurements and Construction contractors in strategic decision-making select risk mitigation strategies and make robust and efficient infrastructure projects. However, additional factors may be considered, which are essential for the BRI infrastructure project. Originality/value This research’s novelty lies in the advancement of expertise in project risk assessment. This study contributes by identifying the most significant risks involved in the BRI project. The integrated ISM-MICMAC approach provides a macro picture of BRI project risks to formulate better strategies for its success.

Australia’s foreign scrutiny law will irk Beijing

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Federal Government ◽  
Infrastructure Investment ◽  
Belt And Road Initiative ◽  
Research Partnerships ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Belt And Road ◽  
Economic Influence

Significance The bill comes as the federal government is increasingly concerned about Chinese political and economic influence in Australia; Beijing has criticised Canberra in recent months and introduced economic strictures. Impacts Universities could lose research partnerships, especially with China, and some foreign academics. Infrastructure investment could suffer, including the Victoria government’s deal to partake in China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The federal government seems to have a secondary agenda for the reforms, to weaken the powers of the eight states and territories.

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.

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China, and globalization

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 268-276
Author(s):  
Jean A. Berlie
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Silk Road ◽  
Special Administrative Region ◽  
Belt And Road Initiative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Administrative Region ◽  
Bay Area ◽  
Belt And Road ◽  
Definition Of

PurposeThis article looks at the differences and similarities between globalization and the role of China on globalization, in particular for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China (HKSAR).Design/methodology/approachThis article is based on research, reading, and interviews on globalization.FindingsChina is promoting the new globalization of the century called Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) which is a unique way to boost again the economy of China.Originality/valueStudies of the New Maritime and Land Silk Road of China are rare; in particular, the role of the HKSAR is ignored. Macau also plays a role because it was the first point of globalization in the seventeenth century. China is really a global country, and the Chinese are numerous in all continents. Chinese Internet role is also mentioned. Globalization is a key concept not only for China and Asia but also for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Africa, and countries in Latin America such as Bolivia and Venezuela. This article looks at the differences and similarities between globalization and the role of China on globalization. The HKSAR and the Greater Bay Area are part of the same country. China is developing the new globalization of the century called, in 2017, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The current definition of Chinese globalization includes land and maritime Silk Road, now the BRI.

India will push back on China’s influence in Nepal

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Communist Party ◽  
Prime Minister ◽  
Trade Barriers ◽  
Belt And Road Initiative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Belt And Road ◽  
Sphere Of Influence ◽  
Economic Ties ◽  
India And China

Subject Chinese and Indian interest in Nepal. Significance China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is dominating Nepal’s agenda. Until a decade ago, Nepal was clearly within India’s sphere of influence. Nepali Prime Minister KP Oli in April made a three-day state visit to Delhi and in June made a six-day state visit to Beijing. Impacts The governing Nepal Communist Party will be at risk of a split, especially during negotiations over a new chair in two years’ time. Campaigning in nearby Bhutan’s elections later this year is likely to be dominated by debate over the country's ties with India and China. India and China may seek mutual easing of trade barriers as part of efforts to improve bilateral economic ties.

EU offers fair dealing in its 'Belt and Road' response

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Fair Trade ◽  
Road Transport ◽  
Transport Infrastructure ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fair Dealing ◽  
Digital Network ◽  
Transport Connectivity ◽  
Belt And Road ◽  
The Eu

Subject The EU's answer to Belt and Road. Significance A strategy paper called 'Connecting Europe and Asia' is the most detailed exposition to date of the EU's emerging approach towards China's Belt and Road transport infrastructure initiative. It envisages investment in land, sea and air routes, and improved digital network connections, all founded on fair trade, EU market rules and new partnerships with Asian countries. Impacts The EU strategy may encourage states in Eastern Europe to avoid over-reliance on China. In landlocked Central Asia, there is little the EU can offer that outweighs the transport connectivity opportunities offered by China. Russia's response will be important: it may find EU initiatives more attractive than expanding Chinese economic influence.

Iranian dissent will slow promised Caspian Sea accord

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Caspian Sea ◽  
Working Group ◽  
Belt And Road Initiative ◽  
Transport Networks ◽  
The Caspian Sea ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Oil Reserves ◽  
Belt And Road ◽  
Legal Position ◽  
Hydrocarbon Reserves

Subject Talks to decide the Caspian Sea's status. Significance A working group representing the five states around the Caspian Sea meets this month to prepare for a summit promised before July. The littoral states are said to be close to agreeing the legal position of the sea, but Iran's assent is far from certain. Impacts A Caspian convention will not solve contested claims to mid-sea oil reserves. Environmental protection could end up being sacrificed to the exploration and development of untapped hydrocarbon reserves. Trans-Caspian shipping will be boosted by its role in the Eurasian transport networks of China's Belt and Road initiative.

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.

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