China did not get the support it was looking for from India regarding Beijing’s One Belt One Road Initiative (BRI) following an important security bloc meeting Tuesday, April 24. India’s Prime Minister Modi is expected to visit Chinese President Xi Jinping in China later this week to discuss India’s potential membership. – Adriana Ray
As of May 8th, the Japanese and Chinese governments have announced plans to create a council to discuss joint China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects in other nations. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang are expected to formally establish the council during the Japanese, Chinese, South Korean summit happening May 9. – Adriana Ray
Come and learn about China’s Belt & Road Initiative with YPIA and Brandon Hughes of FAO Global, a consulting firm specializing in helping US businesses expand into foreign markets such as China, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
On Tuesday, August 21, Malaysian president Mahathir Mohamad concluded his first visit in Beijing. During his 5-day visit, Mohamad re-negotiated with China for some $22 billion U.S. dollar infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (also known as the One Belt One Road (OBOR) Initiative), in an effort to free Malaysia from their national debt crisis. Unlike his Beijing-friendly precursor, Mahathir is attempting to cancel two major China-backed infrastructure projects already in agreement with Beijing. – Weiting Li
Thailand would be seeking $5.5 billion-dollar bids for a high-speed rail project by end of 2018. The winning bidder would build the 157-mile route connecting central and northeastern Thailand with their neighbor to the east, Laos. American infrastructure and energy enterprises interested in investing in Thailand should consider cooperating with Thai companies like energy giant PTT Public Company Limited, urban railway operator BTS Group Holdings, and construction company CH. Karnchang Public Company Limited in-order-to avoid potential government red tape.
As of May 29, following criticism over the recent years that Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak’s administration had allowed Beijing too much influence in agreeing to China’s One Belt One Road Initiative (BRI) projects, Mahathir Mohamad of Pakatan Harapan, an opposition party, won the early May election in a huge upset. – Adriana Ray
China recently announced plans to build up ports in Vanuatu, a small south Pacific Island nation off the Northeast Coast of Australia that could lead to significant duel use by Chinese merchant ships and naval vessels. Additionally, investments into Brunei, Pakistan, and Djibouti ports signify Beijing’s determination to move China’s largest infrastructure plan forward resulting in significant strategic benefits when implemented. – Adriana Ray
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