The Great Game Changer: Belt and Road Intiative (BRI; OBOR)

[TaiShang]

Belt & Road will link Nepal with world economy
By Ritu Raj Subedi, China.org.cn, October 5, 2016

Chairman Mao said: "Differences between friends cannot but reinforce their friendship."

Mao's vision of friendship with China's many neighbors finds fitting reflection in the Belt and Road (B&R) initiative, a creative venture that Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled in 2013.

It seeks to connect nations and bring immense prosperity to their people through infrastructure development and creation of an integrated trading network spreading from western China to Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and even to Europe.

B&R can be a socialist-driven globalization process intended to remove inequality created by freewheeling capitalism. This premise is implied by the fact that China has committed itself to peaceful rise and respect for the sovereignty of other nations.

It has set aside US$40 billion to start a process that includes 3.8 billion people living in 60 countries once lying along or adjacent to the original Silk Road. The newly launched Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is expected to be a major provider of the money.

"B&R is a policy framework that incorporates myriad development projects, and countries like Nepal should proactively seek to benefit from it," says Dr Upendra Gautam, general secretary at the China Study Center.

He notes that integrating Nepal into the B&R really means integration into the global economy, thus "opening up new opportunities for Nepal."

A replication of the ancient Silk Road, B&R is "rooted in history and oriented toward the future." Nepal had a special relationship with the ancient Silk Road, and it is widely believed Buddhism initially travelled along the route to reach China, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, Thailand and other Asian nations. Certainly, the ancient Silk Road contributed to Nepal's prosperity many centuries ago.

Nepal has taken formal steps to be part of B&R, the 21st century version of the ancient Silk Road. Its connection to the modern version is through the Tibet of China. Nepal could serve as a gateway to South Asia when the B&R vision comes to fruition.

During former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli's visit to China last March, Nepal and China inked a landmark deal on trade and transit arrangements, and agreed to enhance connectivity as part of the B&R project.

Point 5 of the 15-point joint statement issued then reads: "Both sides agreed to seek synergy in development planning, formulate appropriate bilateral cooperation programs and carry out major projects under the framework of the Belt and Road initiative. The Chinese side agreed to accelerate the feasibility study of the Araniko Highway Repair and Maintenance Project and the Repair and Maintenance Project of the Syaphrubesi-Rasuwagadhi Highway, and build a bridge over the Karnali River at Hilsa of Pulan/Yari port."

In order to give flesh to their agreement, Nepal and China should jointly work to build road networks through the border passes of Olangchungola (5,095 m), Kimathanka (2,248 m), Lapche (4,091 m), Tatopani (2,515 m), Rasuwagahdi (1,983 m), Larke(5,135 m), Kor La (4,817 m), Hilsa (5,012 m) and Tinker(5,703 m).

The document "Envisioning Nepal 2030" of Nepal's Planning Commission states: "To promote growth, Nepal needs to be the connection and trading route not just between India and China but of South Asia as a whole. Capitalizing on its historic linkages, Nepal needs to conduct an in-depth study of reviving the South Western Silk Road (circular silk way)."

The Belt and Road initiative is expected to promote the country's immense potential in trade, tourism, water resources and transportation through technology transfers, high standard infrastructure and labor mobility.

"The B&R strategy will help Nepal connect to the global value chain by developing world class infrastructure," says Prof. Dr. Surya Raj Acharya, an infrastructure expert.

Former Nepalese ambassador to China, Rajeshwar Acharya, and Dr Gautam suggest creating a sub-regional group comprising Nepal, Bhutan and India's northwest, Tibet and Sichuan Province based on the BCIM (Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar) model in order to serve as a gateway to both Southeast and South Asia under the Belt and Road initiative.

The B&R initiative is also about promoting cultural understanding. Nations around the Himalayas have a large number of Buddhist followers, and development of the Trans-Himalayan Buddhist pilgrimage will bring them together. This requires opening Trans-Himalaya railway services connecting Nepal with China, then with the Buddhist sub-circuit.

Nepal aspires to reap benefits from the B&R initiative, but chronic political instability has posed a stumbling block. The absence of a coherent foreign policy and lukewarm response to China's initiative among politicians and bureaucracy could deprive the country of significant gains.

The media reported that President Xi's proposed visit to Nepal was put off after China sensed that Nepal's preparations to implement the Belt and Road initiative were not up to scratch. Nepal mustn't delay in carrying out the necessary works to implement the project, because it cannot afford to let it slip through its fingers.

Ritu Raj Subedi is an associate editor of The Rising Nepal.

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.

 

[TaiShang]

But first we have to wait and see what actions will follow after some nonstop outbursts. Duterte will have to stick to his words and i hope he is smart enough to distance himself from the US regime. Erdogan learned it the HARD way, he should be thankful to Russia for all the assistance and support he had received during the darkest hours of the coup. So throwing insults at the soon out of the office Obama is fine with me, now kick the yankee military out of PH for the 2nd time

Let's see his first foreign visit to, allegedly, China and Japan or Russia. That will be of great significance. If Duterte receives Russian and Chinese backing long with a not too distanced relationship with Japan, that would be enough security in the absence of (and hostility from) the US.

 

[TaiShang]

Nepal needs China more then China needs her(if ever).

I agree.Nepal appears not to have a particular geographical depth but, a good friend is always preferable over a distanced (or hostile) one.

B&R is first and foremost a Eurasia-oriented project with focus on land and sea linkages with Europe. But, the regional context cannot be ignored if it is going to, as claimed, fix the shortcomings of the first globalization wave.

 

[TaiShang]

West fabricates China-Russia spy scandals
Source: Global Times, Published: 2016/9/26

Russian space scientist Vladimir Lapygin was sentenced earlier this month to seven years in prison on charges of state treason, according to Western media outlets. He allegedly provided aerospace technology intelligence to an Asian country, which media outlets claimed is China.

According to reports, Lapygin worked for the Central Research Institute of Machine Building under the Roscosmos space agency and taught at Moscow's Bauman State Technical Institute.

As top secrets were involved, coverage of this case inevitably has been tinged by speculation. Some Chinese scholars told the Global Times that the Western media is keen on reporting spy cases between China and Russia, often with exaggerated and even fake content.

Certain pro-Western forces in both Chinese and Russian society are also keen on finding fault with the Sino-Russian relationship.

Scholars point out that there is no reason to make a fuss even if there is espionage between the two countries, as every nation, especially major powers, has a need for intelligence. China and Russia have managed the related affairs well. Espionage is not an obstacle for the two sides to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination.

In comparison, the scandal over the US Prism system caused rifts between the US and its allies, which protested strongly over US bugging of their state leaders. China and Russia have never openly accused each other of espionage since President Vladimir Putin took office for his first term.

Russia has put more efforts, including tightening laws, into safeguarding its national secrets in recent years. Some Russian scientists who are active in foreign exchanges may feel they can't adapt to the changes. Some Western media outlets criticize the Kremlin for its strengthened internal governance and even politicize it, but Chinese public opinion has never hyped the issue.

China and Russia have seen expanding cooperation and thus more frequent communications in the science sector recently, including joint research in aerospace and other areas. Official information exchanges remain the mainstream in bilateral relations. China "stealing" Russia's technology, and Russia shielding its technological secrets from China is not happening between the two countries.

Beijing and Moscow are stable strategic partners. Neither country attempts to steal intelligence to subvert or contain the other. The intelligence agencies of the two countries have friendly, not confrontational, relations.

Bilateral ties between the US and Russia, and between the US and China, are constantly soured by spy-related conflicts. Mutual respect between Beijing and Moscow thus stands out.

The China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination is a pillar of global strategic balance. Both countries should be careful not to be misled by Western reports which are constantly released to derail Sino-Russian relations deliberately.

@vostok

 

[ohmrlobalobayeh]

http://eng.belta.by/economics/view/...opportunities-for-europe-and-asia-95079-2016/

Opinion: The One Belt, One Road initiative will open new opportunities for Europe and Asia Economy
04.10.2016 | 19:31

MINSK, 4 October (BelTA) – The One Belt, One Road initiative will open new opportunities for Europe and Asia in the sphere of transport and logistics. Latvian Transport Minister Uldis Augulis made the statement during the conference on the role of the China-Belarus industrial park Great Stone in the development of the Belarusian transport and logistics system in Minsk on 4 October, BelTA has learned. The conference was held as part of the Belarusian Transport Week.

The Latvian Transport Minister said that the construction of the China-Belarus industrial park has been an important item on the agenda of the Latvian transport and logistics industry for quite some time. “Nobody is going to deny the fact that China's One Belt, One Road initiative is extremely important for connecting the continents of Europe and Asia. The initiative will open new opportunities in transport and logistics. And the Great Stone park is an important stage in this initiative,” explained Uldis Augulis.

The Latvian Transport Minister noted that the Chinese initiative is unparalleled on the global scale. It makes one think about new approaches to logistics planning, said Uldis Augulis. He said that Latvia suggests two cooperation areas to Belarus and China — logistics and merchandise distribution.

The official also reminded that Belarus and Latvia have already implemented successful transport and logistics projects, in particular, the Zubr container train. “We are now working to expand the route to Georgia and Turkey,” he said.

The Belarusian Transport Week is scheduled to take place in Minsk on 4-6 October. It will include the tenth Belarusian Transport and Logistics Congress and the tenth international expo Transport & Logistics 2016. Delegations from and representatives of 11 countries — Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Austria, France, Sweden, Germany, and China — are taking part in the Belarusian Transport Week.

About 70 organizations from nine countries are taking part in the expo Transport & Logistics 2016. The number includes transport and logistics operators, manufacturers and dealers of automobiles, logistics hub equipment vendors, insurance companies, sea port administrations, railway administrations from CIS and non-CIS states.

Apart from stands dedicated to individual companies the expo features a national stand of Latvia, a collective stand of the Klaipeda port and the port companies, a collective stand of Ukrainian Railways. ZAO SkyWay Technologies and OAO Belkommunmash (E433 Vitovt Max Electro electric bus) are showcasing innovative products, which were initially unveiled during Europe's largest international expo InnoTrans in Berlin.

 

[anon45]

If Duterte is planning to ally with Russia and China, what the F is he asking for US missiles for? Im glad that we refused to sell even semi-modern weapons to the Philippines that got his panties in a wad, as it is they are a potential security risk.

Funny enough, Duterte is currently talking a big game, but i'm still waiting for it to translate into action. When will he cut trade ties with the US and EU? Less talk, more action.

He can buy weapons from whoever, if he's planning on antagonizing the US in international waters it wont help him, and if he's planning on cozying up with China I question his need for missiles in the first place.

 

[ohmrlobalobayeh]

I agree.Nepal appears not to have a particular geographical depth but, a good friend is always preferable over a distanced (or hostile) one.

B&R is first and foremost a Eurasia-oriented project with focus on land and sea linkages with Europe. But, the regional context cannot be ignored if it is going to, as claimed, fix the shortcomings of the first globalization wave.

Atually, how if Nepal is gonna be part of obor, is she gonna be a land obor terminus or a linkage downwards, by land- to India(who is also part of maritime obor. E.g Kolkata)?

 

[ohmrlobalobayeh]

If Duterte is planning to ally with Russia and China, what the F is he asking for US missiles for? Im glad that we refused to sell even semi-modern weapons to the Philippines that got his panties in a wad, as it is they are a potential security risk.

Funny enough, Duterte is currently talking a big game, but i'm still waiting for it to translate into action. When will he cut trade ties with the US and EU? Less talk, more action.

He can buy weapons from whoever, if he's planning on antagonizing the US in international waters it wont help him, and if he's planning on cozying up with China I question his need for missiles in the first place.

Less talk, more action?

You're quoting a national leader- not a small time politician. If he had the guts to flip the bird at the EU and the US on TV, as well as sanctioning the deaths of thousands of drug offenders/pushers- u think he would not stick to his words?

And guess what? I just found out this myself:

http://www.cninfo360.com/sjdt/20160121/410279.html

罗德里戈•迪泰特简介 菲律宾总统竞选人：祖父是中国人 无意与中国开战(图)


= Grandfather is a Chinese(Duterte's)

他补充道，自己的祖父是中国人，他不想跟中国开战，因为在福建的表亲不想战争。

=

'he stressed that his own grandfather was a mainland Chinese(likely a Chinese immigrant to the PH, like the rest of the Chinese diaspora) and do not wish to get involved in a war with China. That's because his relatives in Fujian(province) do not want war(with Duterte).'

This makes Duterte a part-Overseas Chinese himself.

No wonder he's pro-China

 

[Place Of Space]

If Duterte is planning to ally with Russia and China, what the F is he asking for US missiles for? Im glad that we refused to sell even semi-modern weapons to the Philippines that got his panties in a wad, as it is they are a potential security risk.

Funny enough, Duterte is currently talking a big game, but i'm still waiting for it to translate into action. When will he cut trade ties with the US and EU? Less talk, more action.

He can buy weapons from whoever, if he's planning on antagonizing the US in international waters it wont help him, and if he's planning on cozying up with China I question his need for missiles in the first place.

You talk horse, dude, it's the USA needs the Philippines, for the wot pivot purpose. Duterte is smart, he knows clearly at the time what the America seek to beg from his country.

 

[Place Of Space]

Atually, how if Nepal is gonna be part of obor, is she gonna be a land obor terminus or a linkage downwards, by land- to India(who is also part of maritime obor. E.g Kolkata)?

Nepal is insignificant however.

 

[Beast]

If this is the behavior of Duterte, then what option does US have except to to downgrade their relations with the Philippines. They don't need this headache.

The US still need to bend down to Philippine despite all this humiliation. The US desperate needs Philippine for US anti China campaign.

If Duterte wants US president to kneel before him. THe president need to do it. Without Philippine, US evil anti China campaign will never succeed.

 

[TaiShang]

Atually, how if Nepal is gonna be part of obor, is she gonna be a land obor terminus or a linkage downwards, by land- to India(who is also part of maritime obor. E.g Kolkata)?

The actual development of the B&R has very little to do with this map. This map does not reflect the ground reality. There is, for example, no OBOR related linkage between Iran and Turkey.

Nepal can be a land linkage, not a terminus.

Nepal is insignificant however.

Greater trade flow is never insignificant, regardless of the size of a nation.

 

[Filipino]

If Duterte is planning to ally with Russia and China, what the F is he asking for US missiles for? Im glad that we refused to sell even semi-modern weapons to the Philippines that got his panties in a wad, as it is they are a potential security risk.

He didn't ask for it, he was referencing the efforts of past administrations to get modern weaponry that never went anywhere. For example, there was an attempt in the late 90s to acquire fighters from Israel that got blocked by US congress (because of American technology in the fighters) because the US Gov't wanted to sell them embargoed Pakistani F-16s instead. Then that also didn't work out and the Philippines was left with its worn-out F-5As (not even Es) until they had to be grounded in 2003.

I'm pro-US and a naturalized American, but I could see (and dread) a realignment from a mile way. It's disappointing to say the least.

 

[gambit]

If Duterte is planning to ally with Russia and China, what the F is he asking for US missiles for? Im glad that we refused to sell even semi-modern weapons to the Philippines that got his panties in a wad, as it is they are a potential security risk.

Funny enough, Duterte is currently talking a big game, but i'm still waiting for it to translate into action. When will he cut trade ties with the US and EU? Less talk, more action.

He can buy weapons from whoever, if he's planning on antagonizing the US in international waters it wont help him, and if he's planning on cozying up with China I question his need for missiles in the first place.

The US should accommodate that 'more action'. Weapons purchase from China does not mean the Filipinos like China.

China do not need the Philippines' compliance to further secure the SCS. A weakened Philippines will do just fine and it already that weakened. So if the US begins our withdrawal from the Philippines, as the country's economic conditions deteriorate, the Filipinos will turn against Duterte. Once Duterte is ousted, and only after bloodshed because people like him, re Venezuela, once they have a taste of power, they will do everything they can to keep it, the US can return with the typical 'I told you so.'

 

[gambit]

Why are you throwing a tantrum? This is what Western liberal democracy is all about - the right to choose one's own path. With 90+ % approval rating, he seems to be doing what his people want. I wish him every success.

You are correct.

https://venezuelanalysis.com/news/7279

Chavez's approval rating was pretty high.