What can SCS do to Philippine economy and how does US soldier presence of abusing local and rapes helps to stamp the fury of Pinoy towards US soldier?
You can't expect to eat the whole pie w/o contributing.
The Great Game Changer: Belt and Road Intiative (BRI; OBOR)
- Thread starter Pk_Thunder
- Start date
You can't expect to eat the whole pie w/o contributing.
alaungphaya
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Money talks, bullshit walks. You Filipinos need to deal with this guy. It's like you elected aa Youtube comments section for president.
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Nike
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pr1v4t33r
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there's already some gossips about a coup plan circulating in the air.
alaungphaya
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The rich elite don't I bet. And Philippines is run by a small cabal of rich and powerful families just like other Hispanic legacy countries. They won't stand idly by as their fortunes plummet.
ohmrlobalobayeh
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Source?
Cossack25A1
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http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/09/20/malacanang-andanar-duterte-coup-plot.html
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/coup-detat...philippines-government-issues-warning-1582250
http://www.rappler.com/nation/146772-palace-investigating-oust-duterte-plot
16 million (out of 98 million) Filipinos voted him, and they are are the most vocal in the Internet.
ohmrlobalobayeh
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if thats the case, PH would be descending into anarchy(if he ever gets ousted- dead or alive) since duterte is a lawfully-elected president
TaiShang
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The US military presence is nothing but a social, economic and moral disaster.
Duterte's seeking for non-militarized interaction is fully understandable.
China and Russia welcome Duterte as a reasonable partner.
***
Duterte ‘about to cross the Rubicon’ with US, wants alliances with Russia & China
26 Sep, 2016
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte © Erik De Castro / Reuters
The remarks came just as the Philippines and the US prepare to hold joint naval exercises in October. Such drills have over the years served to cemented the military alliance between the two countries.
Philippine leader seeks arms from Russia & China, pursues policies independent from US
Duterte earlier said he would seek a termination of the treaty which allows US soldiers to maintain a presence in his country's south. He also said he would buy weapons from Russia and China to decrease reliance on America in defense matters, and that Manila would not participate in a maritime conflict were it to be initiated by Washington, despite a 1951 treaty requiring it to do so.
The militaries on both sides said the president's statements would not undermine their cooperation.
Speaking on Monday, Duterte also dismissed concerns expressed last week by the rating agency Standard and Poor's, which said the sluggish performance of the Philippines economy and Duterte's controversial remarks may prompt it to revise the country's rating.
"Never mind about the ratings," the president said. "I will open up the Philippines for them to do business, alliances of trade and commerce."
Duterte came to power on the image of being a tough guy and the promise to fight drug crimes the way he did during his tenure as mayor of Davao City. The no-holds-barred approach to narcotics earned him the nickname ‘the Punisher’ after the mafia-fighting vigilante character from the Marvel comic books.
The president said he would welcome the United Nations, European Union and United States to investigate alleged unlawful killings during his ongoing anti-drug campaign, but only under Philippine laws.
Duterte's seeking for non-militarized interaction is fully understandable.
China and Russia welcome Duterte as a reasonable partner.
***
Duterte ‘about to cross the Rubicon’ with US, wants alliances with Russia & China
26 Sep, 2016
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte © Erik De Castro / Reuters
The remarks came just as the Philippines and the US prepare to hold joint naval exercises in October. Such drills have over the years served to cemented the military alliance between the two countries.
Philippine leader seeks arms from Russia & China, pursues policies independent from US
Duterte earlier said he would seek a termination of the treaty which allows US soldiers to maintain a presence in his country's south. He also said he would buy weapons from Russia and China to decrease reliance on America in defense matters, and that Manila would not participate in a maritime conflict were it to be initiated by Washington, despite a 1951 treaty requiring it to do so.
The militaries on both sides said the president's statements would not undermine their cooperation.
Speaking on Monday, Duterte also dismissed concerns expressed last week by the rating agency Standard and Poor's, which said the sluggish performance of the Philippines economy and Duterte's controversial remarks may prompt it to revise the country's rating.
"Never mind about the ratings," the president said. "I will open up the Philippines for them to do business, alliances of trade and commerce."
Duterte came to power on the image of being a tough guy and the promise to fight drug crimes the way he did during his tenure as mayor of Davao City. The no-holds-barred approach to narcotics earned him the nickname ‘the Punisher’ after the mafia-fighting vigilante character from the Marvel comic books.
The president said he would welcome the United Nations, European Union and United States to investigate alleged unlawful killings during his ongoing anti-drug campaign, but only under Philippine laws.
Manidabest
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well good for his country i cant talk about russia but China is a decent country and a long term friend... it doesnt invade anyone and doesnt interfere in anyone's internal problem....
pr1v4t33r
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So, what's your personal opinion about the coup plot? against it or secretly support it?
TaiShang
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China expected to play more practical role in Belt and Road Initiative: report
September 27, 2016
People's Daily
The International Seminar on the Belt and Road Initiative is held in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Sept. 26, 2016. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)
China sees itself not only as an initiator but also a responsible and reliable practitioner of the Belt and Road Initiative, suggested a think tank in a report on the three-year progress of "Belt and Road," released on Sept. 26.
Since the Belt and Road Initiative is a long-term and systematic program, China should take measures in five areas, including policy, talent cultivation and business support, the report stated. These measures will ensure that China plays a more practical role in the development of the initiative. The report, titled "Adhering to the Planning, Order and Pragmatic Construction of the 'Belt and Road,'" was released on Monday.
The report emphasizes the role of business support systems as a source of power for the initiative’s development.
"Comprehensive support for Chinese enterprises in terms of investment banking services, business trust, administration, legal affairs, auditing, consulting and investigation should be in place, so as to help Chinese enterprises prosper while going global," the report said. The report also stated that both a "positive list" and "negative list" should be introduced in the initiative to build a comprehensive mechanism for efficient and integrated progress.
In light of the fact that there’s no existing precedent, efforts should be made to explore innovative construction, the report said. A productive network of global Chinese talent should be developed, as overseas Chinese serve as an important link to reduce the gap between China and foreign countries.
Furthermore, the report said that China should offer a full interpretation of the significance of the initiative, clearly explaining its positive effects. This has the potential to facilitate the deepening of international cooperation and reduce misunderstanding of the initiative abroad.
By the end of June 2016, China had issued joint proposals and statements with 56 countries and regional organizations for implementing the initiative, and signed relevant memorandums of understanding or agreements accordingly. China has signed investment treaties with various countries along the Belt and Road route, investing over $50 billion. To ensure adequate financing, China has been pushing for trade settlement in RMB, currency swaps and other financial arrangements.
The report, the country's first authoritative report on the three-year progress of “Belt and Road" and a result of research done by a team at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies of Renmin University of China, was released at a seminar on the Belt and Road Initiative, which opened on Sept. 26 in Xi'an, the capital city of Shaanxi province.
***
My friend, @Sinopakfriend, the part highlighted in red clearly echoes your observation that the OBOR discourse needs to be better narrated and introduced to the potential stakeholders. Effective narration is clearly part and parcel of the success of the theory in practical use and real world effect.
September 27, 2016
People's Daily
The International Seminar on the Belt and Road Initiative is held in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Sept. 26, 2016. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)
China sees itself not only as an initiator but also a responsible and reliable practitioner of the Belt and Road Initiative, suggested a think tank in a report on the three-year progress of "Belt and Road," released on Sept. 26.
Since the Belt and Road Initiative is a long-term and systematic program, China should take measures in five areas, including policy, talent cultivation and business support, the report stated. These measures will ensure that China plays a more practical role in the development of the initiative. The report, titled "Adhering to the Planning, Order and Pragmatic Construction of the 'Belt and Road,'" was released on Monday.
The report emphasizes the role of business support systems as a source of power for the initiative’s development.
"Comprehensive support for Chinese enterprises in terms of investment banking services, business trust, administration, legal affairs, auditing, consulting and investigation should be in place, so as to help Chinese enterprises prosper while going global," the report said. The report also stated that both a "positive list" and "negative list" should be introduced in the initiative to build a comprehensive mechanism for efficient and integrated progress.
In light of the fact that there’s no existing precedent, efforts should be made to explore innovative construction, the report said. A productive network of global Chinese talent should be developed, as overseas Chinese serve as an important link to reduce the gap between China and foreign countries.
Furthermore, the report said that China should offer a full interpretation of the significance of the initiative, clearly explaining its positive effects. This has the potential to facilitate the deepening of international cooperation and reduce misunderstanding of the initiative abroad.
By the end of June 2016, China had issued joint proposals and statements with 56 countries and regional organizations for implementing the initiative, and signed relevant memorandums of understanding or agreements accordingly. China has signed investment treaties with various countries along the Belt and Road route, investing over $50 billion. To ensure adequate financing, China has been pushing for trade settlement in RMB, currency swaps and other financial arrangements.
The report, the country's first authoritative report on the three-year progress of “Belt and Road" and a result of research done by a team at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies of Renmin University of China, was released at a seminar on the Belt and Road Initiative, which opened on Sept. 26 in Xi'an, the capital city of Shaanxi province.
***
My friend, @Sinopakfriend, the part highlighted in red clearly echoes your observation that the OBOR discourse needs to be better narrated and introduced to the potential stakeholders. Effective narration is clearly part and parcel of the success of the theory in practical use and real world effect.
Mangus Ortus Novem
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China expected to play more practical role in Belt and Road Initiative: report
September 27, 2016
People's Daily
The International Seminar on the Belt and Road Initiative is held in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Sept. 26, 2016. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)
China sees itself not only as an initiator but also a responsible and reliable practitioner of the Belt and Road Initiative, suggested a think tank in a report on the three-year progress of "Belt and Road," released on Sept. 26.
Since the Belt and Road Initiative is a long-term and systematic program, China should take measures in five areas, including policy, talent cultivation and business support, the report stated. These measures will ensure that China plays a more practical role in the development of the initiative. The report, titled "Adhering to the Planning, Order and Pragmatic Construction of the 'Belt and Road,'" was released on Monday.
The report emphasizes the role of business support systems as a source of power for the initiative’s development.
"Comprehensive support for Chinese enterprises in terms of investment banking services, business trust, administration, legal affairs, auditing, consulting and investigation should be in place, so as to help Chinese enterprises prosper while going global," the report said. The report also stated that both a "positive list" and "negative list" should be introduced in the initiative to build a comprehensive mechanism for efficient and integrated progress.
In light of the fact that there’s no existing precedent, efforts should be made to explore innovative construction, the report said. A productive network of global Chinese talent should be developed, as overseas Chinese serve as an important link to reduce the gap between China and foreign countries.
Furthermore, the report said that China should offer a full interpretation of the significance of the initiative, clearly explaining its positive effects. This has the potential to facilitate the deepening of international cooperation and reduce misunderstanding of the initiative abroad.
By the end of June 2016, China had issued joint proposals and statements with 56 countries and regional organizations for implementing the initiative, and signed relevant memorandums of understanding or agreements accordingly. China has signed investment treaties with various countries along the Belt and Road route, investing over $50 billion. To ensure adequate financing, China has been pushing for trade settlement in RMB, currency swaps and other financial arrangements.
The report, the country's first authoritative report on the three-year progress of “Belt and Road" and a result of research done by a team at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies of Renmin University of China, was released at a seminar on the Belt and Road Initiative, which opened on Sept. 26 in Xi'an, the capital city of Shaanxi province.
***
My friend, @Sinopakfriend, the part highlighted in red clearly echoes your observation that the OBOR discourse needs to be better narrated and introduced to the potential stakeholders. Effective narration is clearly part and parcel of the success of the theory in practical use and real world effect.
Tai Shang,
It delights me to see that things are moving in the right direction with typical Chinese methodic approach. Of course, to have a solid narrative one needs actual results which speak for themselves. Otherwise, we end up with hollow rethoric of certain quarters.
Given the historic scale and magnitude of OBOR it will take time..however, I am delighted to see that policymakers at the highest level are investing in this fundamental instrument.
Otherwise, you and I are always available to take the burden of shaping and executing the narrative.
You have a wonderfulday!
TaiShang
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(Along Belt & Road) Spotlight: Three years on, China's Belt and Road Initiative to embrace greater achievements
Xinhua | 2016-09-26
XI'AN, China, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Three years ago, Beijing unveiled its Belt and Road Initiative to deepen China's own reforms and opening-up, and better connect itself with the rest of the world in terms of policy coordination, trade, transportation, energy and information facilities.
Beijing wants to see that the bounty of development arising from the landmark initiative can be shared among all who are part of the program.
Over the past three years, significant and broad achievement has been made, which proved the initiative's effectiveness and demonstrated its nature that favors common development.
RICH RESULTS
According to a report issued by China's Renmin University at a two-day international seminar that opened on Monday in the northwestern Chinese city of Xi'an, more than 100 countries and international bodies are currently involved in the initiative, while over 30 countries along the new Silk Road have signed cooperation agreements with Beijing. China is also working with more than 20 nations on industrial capacity projects.
Among all other things, the most strategic accomplishments have been the successful development policy coordination between China and the countries along the belt and road.
The report said China has already begun the coordination of its signature initiative with the development strategies of many countries involved in the program, including Kazakhstan's the Bright Road and Russia's Eurasian Economic Union.
In boosting facility connectivity, China is working with countries and regions in coordinating infrastructure standards, connecting transportation and energy infrastructure, and boosting information connectivity, said the report.
In trade, the past three years have seen China's consistent efforts to join belt and road countries to promote trade and investment activities by negotiating bilateral agreements to remove trade and investment barriers and create a healthy business environment.
By the end of June, China has signed bilateral investment treaties with 104 countries along the belt and road, while its investment in these countries have totaled 51.1 billion U.S. dollars, said the report.
To ensure adequate financial support for the initiative, China, said the report, has been vigorously pushing forward financial cooperation with countries joining the initiative, as well as RMB trade settlement, currency swap, and other financial services.
The Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), founded at the end of 2015, considers projects related to the initiative as one of its top priorities.
The bank's 509-million-dollar investment in its first four projects, which was approved in late June, and focuses on power, transportation, urban development and other areas, has all gone to countries along the belt and road.
Meanwhile, Beijing has also attached great importance to enhancing cooperation in education, health care, as well as people-to-people and cultural exchanges, an effort to win public support for the implementation of the initiative.
WELL RECEIVED AROUND THE WORLD
Ever since China launched the initiative, it has received positive responses worldwide as Beijing has vowed to promote the program based on mutual benefit and the spirit of inclusiveness as well as sustainable development.
Engstrom Anna, analyst for economics, policy and governance at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, told Xinhua that the initiative certainly is getting a lot of attraction worldwide, adding that everyone is "quite excited" about China's idea.
"We are seeing a lot of cooperation from China in Thailand, Serbia, and Hungry," she said, adding that the most substantial achievement for the initiative is that China has actually bolstered its mutual trust with other countries, which she believes is the foundation for their future cooperation.
Jonathan E. Hillman, fellow and director of the Reconnecting Asia Project, Center for Strategic and International Studies, believes the initiative is "hugely ambitious."
He said many in the West are encouraged by the economic potential, because if it works well, it does benefit all the participants, including the West.
Charles Dkechukwu Onunaiju, director of the center for China studies in Nigeria, said the initiative one of China's most important contribution to human kind in the 21st century, and it presents great opportunity to connect the entire African continent, and the Africans take it very seriously.
CHALLENGES & BRIGHT FUTURE
Still, giant as the Belt and Road Initiative is, there is no doubt that it will have to face and fend off risks and difficult challenges along the way forward.
Engstrom Anna believes political risk has to be considered. As many of China's overseas projects under the initiative need many years to finish, they could run into troubles under such a scenario as the change of government in the countries Chinese investors work with.
In Hillman's view, if the initiative to achieve greater success in the future, it needs to set clear priorities, like what kind of projects would be chosen.
"It's like that if you have so many goals, it's hard to implement that. You need to focus on what matters most," he said.
Despite the potential challenges, the initiative is going to have a bright future, for the potential demand is enormous and the benefits are also great for all sides.
According to the AIIB, the belt and road region has about 750 billion dollars for infrastructure a year through 2020.
A recent Bloomberg report said that if these infrastructure investments were to be fully realized, then that would mean 580 million tons in annual cement demands.
The report also said that meeting all of Asia's demand for railways, pipelines and power stations and other projects may generate 272 million tons of demands for steel.
The huge demand in cement and steel bears tremendous opportunities for China to advance industrial capacity cooperation. Those who choose to work with China, especially countries and regions in the less developed world, can use this chance to close up their infrastructure gap to prepare for future economic takeoff.
Moreover, the program could also boost shipping and cargo demands as planned infrastructure investments improve ports that dot the silk route.
***
China's investment in Belt and Road countries up 38.6 pct
Source: Xinhua 2016-09-22
BEIJING, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- China's investment in Belt and Road Initiative countries soared 38.6 percent year on year as the country's outbound direct investment (ODI) reached a record high in 2015, official data showed Thursday.
Investment in Belt and Road countries stood at 18.93 billion U.S. dollars and represented 13 percent of the country's ODI last year, according to Zhang Xiangchen, deputy international trade representative with China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC).
Zhang told reporters at a news conference that Belt and Road investment is essential to the fast development of China's ODI.
China's ODI hit an all-time high of 145.67 billion U.S. dollars in 2015, exceeding the 135.6 billion in foreign direct investment it received, making it a net capital exporter for the first time, Zhang said.
It is the world's second-largest source of outbound investment, exceeded only by the United States, Zhang said.
The initiative, proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2013, refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road -- a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along ancient trade routes.
As of July, Chinese enterprises had established 52 economic cooperation zones in the countries while paying 900 million dollars in taxes and creating nearly 70,000 local jobs.
The MOC said earlier the Belt and Road Initiative had boosted business cooperation between Chinese and foreign firms. During the first eight months of 2016, nearly 4,000 engineering contracts were signed by Chinese companies in 61 countries along the routes, with combined contract value of 69.82 billion U.S. dollars.
China needs to fully take advantage of the international market and resources as its economy and companies transform, said Zhang, adding that Chinese firms are keen to become active players in global innovation, manufacturing and the market.
***
Media vital for Belt and Road
By Chen Boyuan
China.org.cn, September 27, 2016
The successful advancement of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative requires the support of countries along the routes. To achieve that goal, the media should play a bigger role in letting more people know about the strategic initiative and the benefits it will bring.
Fang Zhenghui, vice president of China International Publishing Group, shares his ideas on how media can help with the Belt and Road Initiative on Sept. 26, in Xi'an. [Photo by Chen Boyuan / China.org.cn]
Chinese and international delegates to the International Seminar on the Belt and Road Initiative, opened on Sept. 26 in the ancient Chinese capital Xi'an, agreed that media could help eliminate misunderstandings at the grass roots level and therefore lead to consensuses at the highest levels.
Since September of 2013, mainstream international media outlets have published more than 10,000 reports in English alone on the Belt and Road, according to a study done by the Center for International Communication Studies of the China International Publishing Group (CIPG).
Such high attention on a single topic is unprecedented in the history of media, said Fang Zhenghui, vice president of CIPG at the seminar.
In another survey conducted by the same agency, people from eight countries, including the United States, Russia, Britain and India, gave 77 points out of 100 for their recognition of the Belt and Road; while 18 countries in the G20 bloc, excluding China, gave 67.6 points for how the Belt and Road could help with peace and development along its routes.
"The figures show that people are paying more attention to the Belt and Road and giving it positive reviews. It's fair to say that the amicable situation can be attributed to the media's extensive, continuous and in-depth coverage of the Belt and Road these years," said Fang.
Dmitry Strovsky, professor of journalism from Ural Federal University in Russia, expressed concerns about the misconceptions between people due to the lack of proper media coverage.
Speaking at the seminar, he said that media coverage about China is quite limited in Russia, and therefore many Russian people are afraid of Chinese, because they do not know about them. This situation may get more intense since Russian media, like their peers in many other countries, tend to be aggressive in their reports about China, he said.
According to Strovsky, very few people in Russia know about China's Belt and Road. Hence, he called for more media coverage and support to help sustain China-Russia relations, which have been in good standing in recent years.
He believed that the situation is also the same when it comes to the relations between China and other countries on the Belt and Road. In other words, although media does not directly participate in the construction of Belt and Road projects, it has the power to make the construction go smoothly.
Xinhua | 2016-09-26
XI'AN, China, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Three years ago, Beijing unveiled its Belt and Road Initiative to deepen China's own reforms and opening-up, and better connect itself with the rest of the world in terms of policy coordination, trade, transportation, energy and information facilities.
Beijing wants to see that the bounty of development arising from the landmark initiative can be shared among all who are part of the program.
Over the past three years, significant and broad achievement has been made, which proved the initiative's effectiveness and demonstrated its nature that favors common development.
RICH RESULTS
According to a report issued by China's Renmin University at a two-day international seminar that opened on Monday in the northwestern Chinese city of Xi'an, more than 100 countries and international bodies are currently involved in the initiative, while over 30 countries along the new Silk Road have signed cooperation agreements with Beijing. China is also working with more than 20 nations on industrial capacity projects.
Among all other things, the most strategic accomplishments have been the successful development policy coordination between China and the countries along the belt and road.
The report said China has already begun the coordination of its signature initiative with the development strategies of many countries involved in the program, including Kazakhstan's the Bright Road and Russia's Eurasian Economic Union.
In boosting facility connectivity, China is working with countries and regions in coordinating infrastructure standards, connecting transportation and energy infrastructure, and boosting information connectivity, said the report.
In trade, the past three years have seen China's consistent efforts to join belt and road countries to promote trade and investment activities by negotiating bilateral agreements to remove trade and investment barriers and create a healthy business environment.
By the end of June, China has signed bilateral investment treaties with 104 countries along the belt and road, while its investment in these countries have totaled 51.1 billion U.S. dollars, said the report.
To ensure adequate financial support for the initiative, China, said the report, has been vigorously pushing forward financial cooperation with countries joining the initiative, as well as RMB trade settlement, currency swap, and other financial services.
The Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), founded at the end of 2015, considers projects related to the initiative as one of its top priorities.
The bank's 509-million-dollar investment in its first four projects, which was approved in late June, and focuses on power, transportation, urban development and other areas, has all gone to countries along the belt and road.
Meanwhile, Beijing has also attached great importance to enhancing cooperation in education, health care, as well as people-to-people and cultural exchanges, an effort to win public support for the implementation of the initiative.
WELL RECEIVED AROUND THE WORLD
Ever since China launched the initiative, it has received positive responses worldwide as Beijing has vowed to promote the program based on mutual benefit and the spirit of inclusiveness as well as sustainable development.
Engstrom Anna, analyst for economics, policy and governance at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, told Xinhua that the initiative certainly is getting a lot of attraction worldwide, adding that everyone is "quite excited" about China's idea.
"We are seeing a lot of cooperation from China in Thailand, Serbia, and Hungry," she said, adding that the most substantial achievement for the initiative is that China has actually bolstered its mutual trust with other countries, which she believes is the foundation for their future cooperation.
Jonathan E. Hillman, fellow and director of the Reconnecting Asia Project, Center for Strategic and International Studies, believes the initiative is "hugely ambitious."
He said many in the West are encouraged by the economic potential, because if it works well, it does benefit all the participants, including the West.
Charles Dkechukwu Onunaiju, director of the center for China studies in Nigeria, said the initiative one of China's most important contribution to human kind in the 21st century, and it presents great opportunity to connect the entire African continent, and the Africans take it very seriously.
CHALLENGES & BRIGHT FUTURE
Still, giant as the Belt and Road Initiative is, there is no doubt that it will have to face and fend off risks and difficult challenges along the way forward.
Engstrom Anna believes political risk has to be considered. As many of China's overseas projects under the initiative need many years to finish, they could run into troubles under such a scenario as the change of government in the countries Chinese investors work with.
In Hillman's view, if the initiative to achieve greater success in the future, it needs to set clear priorities, like what kind of projects would be chosen.
"It's like that if you have so many goals, it's hard to implement that. You need to focus on what matters most," he said.
Despite the potential challenges, the initiative is going to have a bright future, for the potential demand is enormous and the benefits are also great for all sides.
According to the AIIB, the belt and road region has about 750 billion dollars for infrastructure a year through 2020.
A recent Bloomberg report said that if these infrastructure investments were to be fully realized, then that would mean 580 million tons in annual cement demands.
The report also said that meeting all of Asia's demand for railways, pipelines and power stations and other projects may generate 272 million tons of demands for steel.
The huge demand in cement and steel bears tremendous opportunities for China to advance industrial capacity cooperation. Those who choose to work with China, especially countries and regions in the less developed world, can use this chance to close up their infrastructure gap to prepare for future economic takeoff.
Moreover, the program could also boost shipping and cargo demands as planned infrastructure investments improve ports that dot the silk route.
***
China's investment in Belt and Road countries up 38.6 pct
Source: Xinhua 2016-09-22
BEIJING, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- China's investment in Belt and Road Initiative countries soared 38.6 percent year on year as the country's outbound direct investment (ODI) reached a record high in 2015, official data showed Thursday.
Investment in Belt and Road countries stood at 18.93 billion U.S. dollars and represented 13 percent of the country's ODI last year, according to Zhang Xiangchen, deputy international trade representative with China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC).
Zhang told reporters at a news conference that Belt and Road investment is essential to the fast development of China's ODI.
China's ODI hit an all-time high of 145.67 billion U.S. dollars in 2015, exceeding the 135.6 billion in foreign direct investment it received, making it a net capital exporter for the first time, Zhang said.
It is the world's second-largest source of outbound investment, exceeded only by the United States, Zhang said.
The initiative, proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2013, refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road -- a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along ancient trade routes.
As of July, Chinese enterprises had established 52 economic cooperation zones in the countries while paying 900 million dollars in taxes and creating nearly 70,000 local jobs.
The MOC said earlier the Belt and Road Initiative had boosted business cooperation between Chinese and foreign firms. During the first eight months of 2016, nearly 4,000 engineering contracts were signed by Chinese companies in 61 countries along the routes, with combined contract value of 69.82 billion U.S. dollars.
China needs to fully take advantage of the international market and resources as its economy and companies transform, said Zhang, adding that Chinese firms are keen to become active players in global innovation, manufacturing and the market.
***
Media vital for Belt and Road
By Chen Boyuan
China.org.cn, September 27, 2016
The successful advancement of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative requires the support of countries along the routes. To achieve that goal, the media should play a bigger role in letting more people know about the strategic initiative and the benefits it will bring.
Chinese and international delegates to the International Seminar on the Belt and Road Initiative, opened on Sept. 26 in the ancient Chinese capital Xi'an, agreed that media could help eliminate misunderstandings at the grass roots level and therefore lead to consensuses at the highest levels.
Since September of 2013, mainstream international media outlets have published more than 10,000 reports in English alone on the Belt and Road, according to a study done by the Center for International Communication Studies of the China International Publishing Group (CIPG).
Such high attention on a single topic is unprecedented in the history of media, said Fang Zhenghui, vice president of CIPG at the seminar.
In another survey conducted by the same agency, people from eight countries, including the United States, Russia, Britain and India, gave 77 points out of 100 for their recognition of the Belt and Road; while 18 countries in the G20 bloc, excluding China, gave 67.6 points for how the Belt and Road could help with peace and development along its routes.
"The figures show that people are paying more attention to the Belt and Road and giving it positive reviews. It's fair to say that the amicable situation can be attributed to the media's extensive, continuous and in-depth coverage of the Belt and Road these years," said Fang.
Dmitry Strovsky, professor of journalism from Ural Federal University in Russia, expressed concerns about the misconceptions between people due to the lack of proper media coverage.
Speaking at the seminar, he said that media coverage about China is quite limited in Russia, and therefore many Russian people are afraid of Chinese, because they do not know about them. This situation may get more intense since Russian media, like their peers in many other countries, tend to be aggressive in their reports about China, he said.
According to Strovsky, very few people in Russia know about China's Belt and Road. Hence, he called for more media coverage and support to help sustain China-Russia relations, which have been in good standing in recent years.
He believed that the situation is also the same when it comes to the relations between China and other countries on the Belt and Road. In other words, although media does not directly participate in the construction of Belt and Road projects, it has the power to make the construction go smoothly.
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