View the 'Belt and Road' initiative as a great 'Social Project': Sinologist

2015-08-05      Source: chinadaily.com.cn

Ji, T.W.Stoopman at the 3rd Visiting Program for Young Sinologist.

The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiatives, also known as the "Belt and Road" initiative, were first introduced by Chinese President Xi Jinping in September and October 2013, respectively. As a development strategy that involved Asian, African and European countries, it attracts attention from both home and abroad.

With the 2008 aftermath of the economic crisis still haunting some parts of the world, the "Belt and Road" initiative, aimed at maintaining the global free trade system and an open economy, was put forwarded to promote the free flow of production factors of all countries and deepen regional cooperation on a larger scale.

In this ongoing series – China's "Belt and Road" initiative in the eyes of Sinologists – we asked Dutch Sinologist Jim T.W. Stoopman to comment on the issue during his trip to Beijing this month to attend the third Visiting Program for Young Sinologists. During the program, he studied into the economic belt of the New Silk Road – the evaluation of Chinese government's intervention into the country's rural economy.

Jim is cooperate manager at the European Union's Institute of Asian Studies. He is also co-founder of Bambozo.com.

Below are all the questions and answers of the interview.

Do you know the "Road and Belt" initiative brought up by president Xi Jinping in 2013? What's your take on that?The "Belt and Road" initiative is great, and the pledges that the Chinese government have made are promising. I think it is important not to see the project only as one that enhances trade and investment, but also as more of a great ‘Social Project' across continents. I believe only that increased interaction and mutual understanding of each others' differences and similarities can make the more concrete elements such as building roads and highways into a successful venture. The civilizational element of the project should therefore not be underestimated.

In your opinion, what are the historical and practical significances for China to put forward such a development strategy at such a time?

The historical significance is obviously linked to the former Silk and Porcelain Roads over land that used to transport products and good from China into more western parts of the world and vice versa. I believe the historical legacy is to some extend rightfully used to enhance the image and appeal of the "Belt and Road" initiative but we should not forget that the scale of the current initiative is vaster, and is likely to have a more profound impact on economies, trade and people to people exchanges. The practical significance is linked to China's desire to increase its global trade and investment, and use the overcapacity of some of its industries elsewhere. Other than that a lot of countries along the "Belt and Road" are in dire need of infrastructure and better transport links, I believe the "Belt and Road" and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank(AIIB) can answer to the call of these countries.

The China threat theory has been around for many years, though China has been claiming that it is a "peaceful rise". What signals do the "Belt and Road" initiative send to the world?

Overall I think the "Belt and Road" initiative is a welcomed in a positive manner, this does not mean that there are some reservations amongst scholars and journalists. Some believe it is a first attempt for China to establish a ‘Chinese World Order' counter to that of the United States and former European colonial powers. Others believe it is merely and economic venture that will benefit Chinese SOE's and private companies in industries where domestic overcapacity is present (e.g infrastructure). The "Belt and Road" still has to take shape, but I see it as a very positive gesture and move of the Chinese government to assist countries along the "Belt and Road" and in a joint effort work on enhancing connectivity, infrastructure and economic integration.

What tangible opportunities and challenges will the "one belt and one road" initiative bring to China, its neighboring countries and the world?

The tangible opportunities are mainly centered on infrastructure and transport related elements; the building of roads, highways and upgrading of ports to increase the flow of people and goods, and enhance connectivity along the "Belt and Road". The main challenges for China are mainly security related issues in areas along the "Belt and Road" that are unstable (Middle East, Pakistan), and to safeguard the safety of goods and people using and traversing these parts of the "Belt and Road". Another key challenge that is often overlooked is the ‘managing of expectations', a lot of countries along the "Belt and Road" are still uncertain what the implications of "Belt and Road" are. It is for the Chinese government a huge task to manage expectations and provide clarity to host governments and their public about the conditions of their activities. Public opinion is in many cases anti-Chinese, and bad communication regarding "Belt and Road" can therefore easily backfire.

What influences will the "Belt and Road" development strategy have on cultural exchanges between China and other countries? Do you have any suggestions for promoting such cultural exchanges?

I truly believe the promotion of cultural exchanges should be an integral part of the "Belt and Road" initiative (if not at the forefront). Despite maybe not being strategic in the pure political or economic sense, it should be the foundation from which the One Belt One Road initiative turns into a global success. For me the One Belt One Road is about more than just infrastructure building and the enhancement of intra-regional trade. I see it moreover as a grand ‘Social Project' in which people from different regions, social classes, religions and cultures get a better chance to interact, understand each other, learn to appreciate the differences that exist and aspire to improve mutual understanding.

One of the crucial elements to turn the "Belt and Road" initiative into a global and inclusive success is good and clear communication by the Chinese government, and this is linked to the ‘manage expectations' in the countries along the Maritime Silk Road and Economic Belt (which I mentioned before). Creating a platform for the interaction of people and facilitating cultural exchanges destination is of great importance to enhance the mutual contact between Chinese people, Chinese ideas and those expectations and ideas that persist amongst people in Europe, Central Asia and Africa regarding the implications of the "Belt and Road" initiative. The civilizational aspect of Xi Jinping's plans should not be underestimated; public perceptions (public image) in the countries along the New Silk Road will make the "Belt and Road" initiative into a success or failure. Tourism and other ‘people to people exchanges' are (and should be) a great vehicle to enhance mutual understanding, appreciation, and to clarify ideas and the intentions of "Belt and Road". Also such initiatives as the Visiting Programme for Young Sinologists in which I participated are very valuable to tighten the cultural links between Chinese stakeholders and third countries.

Do you think the "Belt and Road" initiative will enhance the appeal of the Chinese culture, and why? What part of the Chinese culture has universal appeal that is worthy of spreading to the world?

I do hope the initiative will enhance the cultural appeal of China. Its rich history deserves more attention and harbors plenty of lessons for people around the world. I think some of the classic Chinese philosophies such as Daoism and Confucianism contain some elements that could inspire people around the world, especially when it comes to such things as compassion, humbleness, and the dangers of materialism. I feel a lot of societies are very individualistic and if we want to drive the forces of urbanization and globalization into a constructive and sustainable direction we need to learn to be compassionate and take care of each other. I do hope that the increased interaction and exchanges that will be brought about by the "Belt and Road" will lend a helping hand in achieving this.

How should we interpret the significance of "one belt and one road"?

I think this is a question that I would like to answer in five to ten years time. It has all the potential to become a project of an unprecedented global scale, that will change regions, societies and trade links in a positive fashion. It is of crucial importance that the "Belt and Road" initiative is inclusive, rather than exclusive, and that it remains a rather fluid concept that allows for the extension and inclusion of new geographic areas that want to enjoy the fruits of increased connectivity. It is for the Chinese government and those stakeholders along the "Belt and Road" to act in the interest of the people, clearly communicate and prove that the "Belt and Road" is not just a political slogan, but actually means and achieves something in practice.