“Belt and Road Initiative” infrastructure development and construction projects have great impact in the poorest rural areas, according to AidData.
BRI brings light to poor regions
Greece officially joins the BRI
On August 27, 2018, Greek and Chinese foreign ministers Nikos Kotzias and Wang Yi signed a memorandum of understanding regarding cooperation within the framework of the “Belt and Road Initiative”.
BRI projects in Malaysia, a fresh new start?
On 21 August 2018, the newly elected Prime Minister Mohamad Mahathir announced the cancellation of three BRI projects in Malaysia, including the “East Coast Rail Link” (ECRL) and two pipelines. But Malaysia is still member of the BRI.
Silk Road railways: more coordination required in the EU
Since 2015, Europort-Lorraine has planned to develop rail transportation from China. A test convoy had left Chengdu on July 13, 2018, but this line needs improvements.
China and Japan together on the train to Bangkok!
In September 2018, a Sino-Japanese committee on public and private investment along the new Silk Roads might be held in Beijing.
US development initiative for Asia: which impacts on the BRI?
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced on July 30, 2018, at the Indo-Pacific Business Forum the upcoming launch of an infrastructure development plan for Asia.
Africa, a continent linked to the new Silk Roads
After a first stop in the United Arab Emirates, Xi Jinping traveled from 21 to 28 July 2018 in four African countries, including South Africa, where he attended the 9th BRICS Summit.
The UAE, the financial and trade center of the BRI
On his way to Africa, Chinese President Xi Jinping made a stopover in the United Arab Emirates, where he met with the Emirates leaders.
Europe-China Summit: some progress for the New Silk Roads
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met the leaders of the European Union in Beijing for the annual EU-China summit on July 16, 2018.
Prime Minister Li Keqiang’s visit to Europe: new BRI projects in Eastern Europe
Li Keqiang participated in the 7th 16 + 1 Framework Heads of State Summit held in Sofia, Bulgaria. The 16 + 1 mechanism brings together China and sixteen states of Central and Eastern Europe and aims to strengthen relations between the two regions.