POL1ISP | Group 12: Belt and Road Initiative by https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc Carter Wrangles, Fergus Paterson, Kristian Lang, Liam Blanchard, Rhylie Cooper, Shaun James, Yusuf Say en-us 2019-04-30 05:43:38 UTC 2026-01-29 10:17:43 UTC hello@padlet.com WHAT is the BELT and ROAD INITIATIVE (BRI)? rjcooper2000 https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/355305087 The Parliament of Australia defines the Belt and Road Initiative as a "Chinese economic and strategic agenda" which aims at connecting Eurasia, Africa and Oceania through an overland economic 'Belt' and a 21st century maritime silk 'Road'. The project was originally proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013 and has been both widely criticised and praised by states, media and individuals alike. Supporters suggest that the BRI is paving a way for China to lead the world into a new era of infrastructure and economic gains, while some critics claim that the BRI is an exertion of power and dominance to assert China as the global hegemon.

The following video provides as an in-depth explanation of the Belt and Road Initiative.]]> 2019-04-30 05:52:05 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/355305087 Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation rjcooper2000 https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/359745379 The Belt and Road Forum fro International Cooperation (BRF) was a major event for the Belt and Road Initiative and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The link below is a blog post on the BRF

https://rhycoo.home.blog/2019/05/27/belt-and-road-forum-for-international-cooperation/]]> 2019-05-14 04:09:44 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/359745379 Italy Joins the BRI rjcooper2000 https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/359745386 On the 23rd of March 2019 Italy signed a non-binding agreement saying that they would become part of China's 'Belt and Road Initiative'

Why did Italy join?
 - The European Union has not been able to display a strong united front either for or against the BRI. This has made countries like Italy be able to take whatever course of action they see fit.

- Italy has just gone into a recession and they have seen how China's investment in the Port of Piraeus in Athens has significantly boosted their economy. Italy wants to have a similar thing happen. 
- In joining the BRI Italy aims to re-establish themselves as the main hub for imports into Europe and exports into China via the main ports in Venice and Trieste.]]> 2019-05-14 04:09:48 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/359745386 New Zealand and the BRI rjcooper2000 https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/359745396 On late April New Zealand sent a high level delegation of 17 representatives from businesses and the government for the first time to the Second Belt and Road forum for International Cooperation.

Why?
- In order to further enhance economic relationships between China and New Zealand, and for New Zealand to become more involved in the Belt and Road initiative.
- New Zealand's biggest exporter of diary products is to the Chinese Market, therefore participation in the BRI will boost economic situation in New Zealand.
-China is willing to work with New Zealand in development strategies of the BRI, where New Zealand is seen as an expert in the area.]]> 2019-05-14 04:09:53 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/359745396 WHO is Involved in the BELT and ROAD INITIATIVE? FergusPaterson https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/359746503 China claims that the Belt and Road Initiative will include 65 states, 4.4 billion people worldwide and 40% of global GDP. Some estimates suggest the total number of involved states is closer to 100.]]> 2019-05-14 04:18:12 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/359746503 Events FergusPaterson https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/359746990 - https://eng.yidaiyilu.gov.cn/info/iList.jsp?cat_id=10060]]> 2019-05-14 04:22:31 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/359746990 Pakistan Article rjcooper2000 https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362002601 https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3010758/economic-corridors-viability-line-beijing-searches-answer]]> 2019-05-21 05:14:44 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362002601 shaun_james_m https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362013829 This article attempts to analyse the recent Pakistan governments decision to divert once allocated funds from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which is a major component of the China's Belt and Road Inititaitve to other infrastructure developments that focus away from the BRI. The amount of funds transferred from the allocated CPEC amounts to 24 billion Pakistani rupees ($171.6 million), which the article below acknowledges is a small fraction of the total $62 billion allocated to the project. The key factor about this decision is that it could signify a strategic and national interest shift in terms of the CPEC. Some scholars in the article go to making the point that this could be sign that Pakistan is being now more cautious about the overall BRI but not at a stage where pulling out of the project is on the table. The CPEC is a crucial component of the BRI as it provides one of the main road infrastructure direct links directly into the Chinese mainland, to the further regions of the Middle East and Europe. ]]> 2019-05-21 06:33:30 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362013829 shaun_james_m https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362021105 U.S & China's fight for dominance in Pakistan- Why? Impacts?
Key Points: 
  • China's needs access into Pakistan through the BRI in order to have access to the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and ultimately to the Middle-East & Europe. (CPEC)
  • U.S has deep concerns about the project and how dominance in Pakistan could favour a Chinese government. 
  • The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is going to aid Pakistan with funds with debit which the U.S stresses would ultimately be funnelled through to Chinese authority in the end.
  • Pakistan is in a difficult position right now, as if they take the IMF's money it could come with restrictions as the U.S is the top contributor to the fund, which in return would restrict their ability to work with China and the BRI. 

]]> 2019-05-21 07:02:00 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362021105 Italy Signs to the Belt and Road Initiative FergusPaterson https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362021174  ]]> 2019-05-21 07:02:12 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362021174 Significance of Italy Joining the BRI FergusPaterson https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362022140  - Italy is the first G7 country to join the BRI
     - This fact begins to legitimises the BRI from a Western perspective, when it had previously been dismissed by the US
     - In order for the former point to be effective, Italy needs to drastically upgrade their domestic railways in order to transport goods to and from Central Europe]]> 2019-05-21 07:05:15 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362022140 Proposed Mapping of the Belt and Road Initiative FergusPaterson https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362022610 2019-05-21 07:07:01 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362022610 shaun_james_m https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362025706 2019-05-21 07:18:59 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362025706 Terror, Security and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor shaun_james_m https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362030498 2019-05-21 07:38:21 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362030498 Geoeconomics of China-Pakistan (CPEC) & Belt and Road Initiative shaun_james_m https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362030818 2019-05-21 07:39:39 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362030818 Italy Falls into Recession FergusPaterson https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362383164 This is one of the reasons why Italy wants to gain the economic benefits of the BRI]]> 2019-05-22 02:18:32 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362383164 19359198 https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362392264 2019-05-22 03:07:45 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362392264 Debt-Diplomacy shaun_james_m https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362392973 2019-05-22 03:11:33 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362392973 Australian Parliament Stance on the BRI - NZ FergusPaterson https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362393539 2019-05-22 03:14:36 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362393539 19359198 https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362393550 2019-05-22 03:14:43 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362393550 Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte's View FergusPaterson https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362394457 Conte views that joining the BRI as an integral way for Italy to rebuild its economy.]]> 2019-05-22 03:18:17 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362394457 BRI faces competition from Japan/ India cwrangles18 https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362394627 2019-05-22 03:18:58 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362394627 Is the BRI (Belt And Road Initiative) colonialism? 19359198 https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362395249
  • Despite China's attempts to create what it views as an economic/ trading route key critics accuse China of economic colonialism.
  •  Creating deals where developing states give access to raw resources in exchange for Chinese funded and built projects. 
  •  Furthermore loans given out by the Chinese state which are so called "unconditional" when compared to IMF or World Bank loans. 
  • Will these states which have traditionally seen economically turbulent times be able to pay back the loans and what happens if they do not. 
  • The inability to fix the Chinese built infrastructure which are built using solely Chinese tooling. 
    • ]]>     2019-05-22 03:21:52 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362395249     Analytical Prediction on Italy's Action FergusPaterson https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362395432 This academic article was written in 2017, two year prior to Italy signing on to the BRI. It accurately predicts Italy's action and reasoning for joining. ]]> 2019-05-22 03:22:54 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362395432 19359198 https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362397270 2019-05-22 03:35:28 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362397270 Negatives of New Zealand and the BRI? 20045200 https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362476068 - In 2018, New Zealand security intelligence services of NZ stated that the country is 'a target of espionage and foreign interference activity'.
    - This expresses concerns of vulnerability towards Beijing via BRI.
    - China can use BRI as an excuse to gain information about New Zealand and alter any political or economic decisions the government may make.
    - Greenhouse gas emissions increased due to growth in diary product exports to China.
    - 60% of monitored rivers unsafe to swim due to contribution of diary farming to river pollution]]>     2019-05-22 10:01:30 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362476068     Kerepehi and the BRI effect 20045200 https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362479811 - Kerepehi is a North Island town in NZ, where a local cheese factory got shut down, which was seen as the 'heart of the town'.
    - BRI allowed for chinese investment to the factory, which opened up again as an 'ice cream' factory, highly demanded by the Chinese market.
    - Creation of 50 full time jobs, employing locals and using local ingredients in production.

    ]]>     2019-05-22 10:19:58 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362479811     Wu Xi and his views on the BRI 20045200 https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362484501 Wu Xi is the Chinese ambassador to NZ, and encourages cooperation between China and New Zealand on the BRI.]]> 2019-05-22 10:41:14 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362484501 'Maritime Silk Road' and New Zealand 20045200 https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362486152 - China's development of ports and hubs a key aspect of BRI
    - New Zealand in a strategic position for direct access to markets in Europe through Indian Ocean
    - New Zealand proposed to be the 'linking hub' between China and South America]]>     2019-05-22 10:48:52 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362486152     AIIB and New Zealand 20045200 https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362497257 - Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is a multilateral financial institution created by China 
    - Financial Support for BRI and projects eg energy, transportation, infrastructure etc in Asia and beyond.
    - New Zealand part of AIIB since 2015
    New Zealand has invested monetary funds towards the development of projects, which has been used as financial support for the BRI by China.]]>     2019-05-22 11:40:53 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/362497257     Hambantota port leased to china 99 years cwrangles18 https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/363518464 2019-05-26 07:14:19 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/363518464 Debt-Diplomacy shaun_james_m https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/363538438 2019-05-26 12:13:41 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/363538438 US Criticises Opaque BRI Projects 20208719 https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/363541841 The video below, posted on ShareAmerica and YouTube, briefly explains what the Belt and Road Initiative is from the United States' negative, critical perspective on the topic.
    The video mentions once again the Ecuador Coca Codo Dam project and the 'debt-trap diplomacy' that put it there, before going into the alternative that the US is pushing, involving 'free and fair trade'.
    ]]>     2019-05-26 12:56:27 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/363541841     China on US Opposition to BRI 20208719 https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/363542005 'Corrupt infrastructure deals in exchange for political influence' and 'bribe-fuelled debt-trap diplomacy', US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo criticised regarding China's Belt and Road Initiative in London in early May.
     
    The Reuters article below talks about responses from Chinese officials regarding the United States' continued criticism on the Belt and Road Initiative following the latest Belt and Road Forum, such as Geng Shuang, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson, condemning the US for its 'irresponsible comments' regarding the Belt and Road Initiative.
    ]]>     2019-05-26 12:58:15 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/363542005     Pompeo Warns of 'Predatory' Chinese Economics 20208719 https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/363544587  
    The video below posted by CNBC discusses the Belt and Road Initiative following US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calling Chinese investment through the Belt and Road Initiative ‘predatory’. Further, an issue commonly raised regarding the BRI is its transparency regarding financial sustainability and anti-corruption measures, something else Pompeo has commented on. 

    The US perspective on the Belt and Road Initiative and its criticism on the project is pretty well summed up in the video: ‘You borrow money from the Chinese, to pay the Chinese to build you stuff, and then you end up owing the Chinese’. 

    ]]>     2019-05-26 13:27:26 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/363544587     US on Avoiding 'Debt-Trap Diplomacy' - Warning against BRI 20208719 https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/363544994 In its long running criticism and condemnation of the Belt and Road Initiative, the US has promoted itself as the better alternative as a partner for development in the Indo-Pacific. The article below, managed by US Department of State website ShareAmerica explains how the US avoids what it calls 'debt-trap diplomacy' in its development projects and partnerships with other countries, stating 'The U.S. seeks long-term partners rather than debtors.' The article goes on to criticise who gets the jobs in foreign projects, as well as the transparency of projects.
    It is clear the US is not only promoting its own foreign investment, but openly condemning Chinese projects as China's influence continues to rise.
    ]]>     2019-05-26 13:32:25 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/363544994     Chinese State-Owned Media on the BRI 20208719 https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/363633265 This video, posted by the Chinese state-owned CGTN, a global news network, introduces the Belt and Road Initiative from China's perspective, promoting the benefits of the projects under the initiative. The response to the mostly US criticisms is to call the comments 'ridiculous' and that the 'accusatory voices are loud but not backed by evidence'. Interestingly, the video not only promotes the BRI, but also criticises the US for its belief in its values being right for the world. It is interesting to see this promotion of the Belt and Road Initiative from a state-owned source, compared to US criticisms in media operated by the US state.]]> 2019-05-27 02:38:51 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/363633265 US Warns Against Belt and Road - Study 20208719 https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/363634813 A study, albeit entirely funded by the US department of state, evaluated past Chinese deals with countries such as Ecuador and Argentina. It looked at factors such as transparency, environmental sustainability and financial sustainability, then compared them to the Port Vila Wharf project in Vanuatu, supported by Japan, Australia and the Asian Development Bank. The Ecuadorian Coca Codo Sinclair Hydroelectric Dam project is a project that has been mentioned a couple of times for the deal made requiring Ecuador to pay for the project by turning over 80% of the country's oil exports.]]> 2019-05-27 02:48:09 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/363634813 References 19359198 https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/363642678 2019-05-27 03:48:11 UTC https://padlet.com/rjcooper2000/9w0a9imhrxzc/wish/363642678