OBOReurope wishes you all a happy new year 2019!
In his New Year’s speech, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledges for the development of the Belt and Road Initiative in 2019.
China and the Belt and Road Initiative in 2019
Nippon Express offers new services on the Silk Roads
Nippon Express, one of the five largest logistics companies in the world, inaugurated its first journey from China to Europe on December 20, 2018. This first freight train is expected to connect Xian in China to Duisburg in Germany in just 18 days.
China’s new policy paper on the European Union
or the 15th anniversary of the global strategic partnership between China and the European Union, on December 18, 2018, China unveiled its latest policy paper on the European Union. This document addresses many points and calls for a strengthening of exchanges between the two powers.
A Belt, a Road, and a Bridge in Norway
On December 9, 2018, the Halogaland bridge was inaugurated near Narvik in Norway in the presence of Erna Solberg, Prime Minister of Norway and Wang Min, Chinese Ambassador to Oslo. The construction of an Arctic route, connecting northern Europe with China, is an opportunity to develop its northernmost regions.
A China-France alliance against global warming
French adn Chinese foreign ministers, Jean-Yves Le Drian and Wang Yi, in a joint declaration, expressed their strongest political commitment to respect the Paris agreements on climate change and affirmed their support for the next COP24 to be held in Katowice.
The Philippines, a new BRI destination: what consequence for the EU?
On November 20 and 21, 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping made an official visit to Manila and met with his counterpart Rodrigo Duterte. Philippines are now officially part of the Belt and Road Initiative.
The BRI, a new Pacific way
Following the APEC summit in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (November 17-18, 2018), several Pacific states leaders confirmed their intention to join in the BRI
BRI and the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement
China and Singapore upgraded their Free trade Agreement. This FTA now mentions the Belt and Road Initiative.
Both countries also agreed to further develop the International Land Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC) or Chongqing Connectivity Initiative.
The Red Cross and BRI humanitarian projects
Peter Maurer, the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross announced that he hoped to convince China to launch a humanitarian project equivalent to that of the BRI.
Regional cooperation within the BRI
The Australian state of Victoria in the BRI In October 2018, Australia’s Victoria state officially joined the BRI. Victoria’s prime minister Daniel Andrews and Cheng Jingye, the Chinese ambassador to Australia, signed a memorandum of understanding related to the BRI.