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The ‘One Belt One Road’ Initiative – a Chinese development plan which could interest NZ

Projects subsumed under the ‘One Belt, One Road’ Project by the Chinese authorities

Following the recent (March, 2017) visit to New Zealand by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, we may well be hearing more about the  ‘One Belt One Road’ (OBOR) Initiative – also known as the ‘Belt Road Initiative’ (BRI).  

This ambitious development plan was conceived late 2013.  The five major goals of the initiative are:

  • Policy co-ordination,
  • Connectivity of facilities
  • Unimpeded trade
  • Financial integration, and
  • People-to-people bonds.

The initial policy covered 64 European and South-east Asian countries.  But recently China is reaching out for more Pacific countries, including New Zealand, to be involved.  Since following the avowed (by President Trump) protectionist position of the USA – indeed the possible withdrawal of the USA from world trade, this Initiative by the Chinese Government could play an important role in New Zealand/Chinese relations..

For the NZ Herald article (March 28, 2017), “New Zealand can play its part on Silk Road’ by Prof. Siah Hwee Ang (Bank of New Zealand Chair in Asia, Victoria University, Wellington), click HERE.

For a well-written article on the ‘One Belt Road’, click HERE