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
Xiamen and “Silk Road Maritime”
On December 24, 2018, COSCO, Xiamen Port authorities in Fujian, and Fujian Provincial Communication Transportation Group announced the establishment of Silk Road Maritime.
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.
Quito on the Silk Road
After Chile, Ecuador also joined the news Silk roads. Latin American states seem increasingly open to a lasting partnership with Beijing. On December 11, 2018, Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno arrived in Beijing for a three-day official visit, during which he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Portugal, the Atlantic coast of the Belt and Road initiative
After attending the G20 summit in Buenos Aires and stopping in Panama, on his way home, President Xi Jinping visited Portugal on December 4, 2018. President Xi Jinping met with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and his Prime Minister. Lisbon has responded favorably to the China’s new Silk Roads’ program.
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.
Spain, Europe and the BRI
Before heading to Buenos Aires for the G20 summit, the Chinese president made a stopover in Madrid for a three-day visit (27-29 November 2018). Xi Jinping met with the royal couple and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
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.