One Belt One Road Europe
In early 2019, several states in Middle East announced their interest in the port of Gwadar in Pakistan. The port of Gwadar is the flagship project of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). With the opening of the CECP to the rest of the world, the port of Gwadar is likely to become a major hub connecting China, South Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
On his way to Africa, Chinese President Xi Jinping made a stopover in the United Arab Emirates, where he met with the Emirates leaders.
On May 15, 2018, China and Oman signed a memorandum of understanding on the BRI. Thanks to this agreement, Oman is committed to participating in the realization of the new Silk Roads.
US withdrawal from this agreement may have several consequences on relations between China and Iran and the development of the new Silk Roads.
On April 30 and May 1, 2018, was held in Dubai, the fourth international conference of the WFZO (World Organization of Free Zones) gathering near 200 attendees from all continents. This conference was preceded by special workshops including one dedicated to the new Silk Roads.
In August 2017, several initiatives took place in the Persian Gulf that illustrated regional interest in the BRI. Dubai-based Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University organized a round table on Islamic finance and the Belt and Road initiative. This event brought