The directions of development of the new Chinese ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ (BRI)
The directions of development of the new Chinese ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ (BRI)

Summary/Abstract: In this research work, the author focuses on the analysis of the directions of developmentof the new Chinese ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ (BRI) or ‘One Belt, One Road’ (OBOR) as a projectlaunched by China to develop countries and improve global connectivity. First unveiled in 2013 byChinese President Xi Jinping, the initiative continues to grow in scale and popularity. The initiative isfocused on creating networks that will allow for a more efficient and productive free flow of trade aswell as further integration of international markets both physically and digitally. BRI is comprised ofthe ‘21st Century Maritime Silk Road’ and the ‘Silk Road Economic Belt;’ together they will connectmore than 65 countries making up over 62% of the world’s population, around 35% of the world’s tradeand over 31% of the world’s GDP. It will take the form of a series of highways, railways and ports aswell as facilities for energy, telecommunications, healthcare and education. It must be emphasized thatthe initiative merges both the land-based Silk Road (from China via Central Asia to Turkey and the EU)with the Maritime Route (via the Indian Ocean and Africa to Europe). Both routes were created with theintention of developing transportation infrastructure, facilitating economic development and increasingtrade. This 21st-century initiative is not merely for China to romanticize its historical legacies: it carriesmajor strategic economic and geopolitical calculations. The EU must decide now if and how to engagein these emerging processes. The main aim of the article is to present the directions of development ofthe new Chinese ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ (BRI) as a project, launched by China to develop countriesand improve global connectivity.

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