5/16/2017

A convincing initiative for regional connectivity and global trade

By Chua Chin Leng | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2017-05-15 14:50

China's One Belt One Road Initiative was conceived in 2013 in its entirety by the strategists and planners in China under the leadership of President Xi Jinping. This extensive infrastructure network of land, rail and sea covers more than 100 countries and an unending budget that cumulatively could be in the region of US$40 trillion to US$80 trillion when in maturation.

In a short span of three years from conception to what it is today, this initiative, now popularly known as B&R, is a new reality that has taken off and gone beyond the imagination of many modern day planners. Sixty-five countries from China through Central Asia to Europe by land and a sea route covering South East and South Asia through the Middle East, linking Africa to Europe to form the southern belt, present a problem that would challenge the wits and wisdom of the ablest politicians and statesmen just to be able to sew the countries into a complete tapestry.

The countries involved in B&R are as diverse in culture, race, religion, political ideology, political rivalry and historical enmity that the thought of convincing them to agree, to be part of the project, must be a nightmare to the ablest in diplomacy. And China has pulled it through, to successfully bring aboard these mixed bags of countries, is not just shrewd diplomacy but also by hard economics of what each country would stand to benefit from it. To be able to win the confidence of the leaders of these countries, that everyone stands to benefit from a win-win partnership, is itself a great achievement for China and Xi Jinping's team of negotiators. The task is more daunting if one is preview to the doomsayers and negative commentaries and mischievous doubts posed by those countries that did not want this project to succeed, let alone to take off in such a short time.

Every single country that voluntarily participates in this international initiative must have convinced themselves and been able to see for themselves the goodness of the project from their own perspective and understanding and interests, not from what the Chinese told them. With all the differences and negative external influence and forces working against this project, some appearing unbridgeable due to historical enmity and political divisiveness, no one, not even Xi Jinping and his team, is able to win them over unless they themselves are willing to come on board.

The B&R is therefore an initiative that all participating members are convinced, must be convinced, that it is beneficial to them in the long run, in trade, communication, economic and political development. The benefits of B&R speak for themselves and are the most important factors in winning the hearts and minds of the participating nations.

For the coastal states or states that have easy access to seaports, the One Belt aspect of the B&R initiative would only enhance and improve their positions in a more interconnected world. B&R is particularly important to the landlocked countries in Central Asia and Eastern Europe, central Russia and the western regions of China. These countries and regions have been disadvantaged by their inability to access the sea trade routes and have lagged behind for centuries in economic development. B&R has transformed the traditional reliance on the sea for transportation and opened up these countries to trade freely using land routes, by rail and by roads, freeing themselves from having to depend on seaports. These countries would now be in the mainstream of international trade, in the main highways of trade, communication and transportation, turning themselves into new centers of economic growth and development. Many of the cities in these landlocked countries would become new rich economic centers, finding their rightful place as the equals of New York, London, Rotterdam, Paris, Hong Kong and Shanghai in the 21st Century.

There will be realignment of trade routes and transportation hubs as a result of B&R, and many cities would reinvent themselves and transform into new vibrant commercial centers of trade and economic activities. Khazakstan, Malaysia and Greece would become new communication hubs of a new future and the biggest beneficiaries of B&R.

The B&R initiative is a new catalyst, a bright spark that would bring about more global trade and economic development in an otherwise staid and slumbering world economy. Thousands of bilateral and multilateral projects have taken off and many more are in the pipeline. Hundreds of bilateral and multilateral agreements between governments have been signed. B&R is not a China initiative but an international cross-border project that needs the cooperation and active participation of all the countries to be successful.

B&R is what the world needs today. The flow of capital, goods, people and so forth would be a boost to economic activities and vibrancy, to open up new regions of growth, to bring about prosperity and interconnectivity to all the countries in the project and to benefit the world in general. The success of the B&R is not just for China but for all the participating countries and the whole world.

46 comments:

  1. Ah Nehs seemed sceptical of this initiative.

    They are just plain jealous of the Chinese initiative.

    Let them be. The world leaders would know what benefits them and leave them to their miseries and self wallow in plain stupidity and ignorance.

    Only SINKIE land wants to build their sewer rats infested country into smart cities.

    Only elementary construction of HDB 99 lease hold flats and monitoring of signal breakdowns that paralysed the whole system.

    Also, the frequent unable to detect the fingerprints of Singaporeans at the Immigration machines at Tuas checkpoints.

    On the way to my favourite haunt and had to endure the same very problems of unable to scan the passports at Tuas.

    Out of ten machines, at least five breakdown and the Immigration Officers wah piang still behaves arrogantly.

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  2. /// The success of the B&R is not just for China but for all the participating countries and the whole world. ///

    Everybody is participating except maybe for one lonely Dragon.
    Mental masturbating in his lonely corner of the world, he calls "the Hub".
    Doing his impotent "strategic thrusts" into "key areas" of a "future economy".
    Little realizing that his cronies are "nodding their heads" only because of the money he pays.

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  3. That's why the mother of all evils, the USA imperialists are so worried. If china become the Good Guy , USA lose face . So the usa is hellbent on destroying what china is doing simply by creating tension and illwill between countries and generating weapons sales. Move over USA, get lost as Duterte might say, you are not needed in Asia, we can manage ourselves.

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  4. The success of the B&R is not just for China but for all the participating countries and the whole world.
    RB

    But then why Hsien Loong never attend hah?

    Any idea why, RB?

    And as a Sinkie, how do you feel, and what do you make out of Hsien Loong's non attendance, RB? Care to share or even write a posting for this?

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  5. But then why Hsien Loong never attend hah?
    9:12 am

    Maybe he doesn't feel himself important at such event? Still remember the Terrex incident? So maybe he still angry with China, u know.

    Or maybe he is waiting for Trump to invite him to a White House state dinner? And talk about TPP and Amos?

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  6. The massive B&R project could spin off thousands of projects that the Americans, Europeans and Japanese could participate and bid for. And when the Silk Road heads east to Alaska and North America, the USA would be the main beneficiary with their engineering and technological advantage. Not participating in the B&R would end up being a loser.

    Trump has seen the great potential, maybe Xi had told him of what role the US could be involved and he has sent a delegation to the Summit. If only these buggers could think of economics and not be blinded by their political posturing and rivalry, they would be rushing to China to ask to be invited.

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  7. In the case of India, China wanted a rail/road cutting through India from Myanmar to Pakistan and to the Middle East. But the Indians did not want that.

    Maybe the Indians want to start their own Indian Road to outdo the B&R. Singapore can be very helpful if India wanted to do that and CECA would be raised to even higher level, freedom of movement of both people without any visa or professional qualification, like one country. The Singaporeans can be called Indians and Indians can be called Singaporeans. Nice.

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  8. Uncle, some of these silly people are having wild imaginations that because China is linking all the countries by rail and roads, it is planning to rule the world and all the countries would automatically come under Chinese influence and control. So fucking stupid people with small little minds.

    The roads and rails are built in their countries and they are the old in control, in charge. China cannot do anything about it if they played dirty.

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  9. Amos the prophet was right when he extended his middle finger. Don't pray pray

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  10. China is turning itself into the God of Fortune to some countries in this B&R project. Other than the central Asia countries particularly Khazakstan that is going to win big, the other country that would be saved would be Creece.

    Greece is not only in big financial debt, its economy is in disrepair and the debt would only spiral upwards bringing the country to bankruptcy. China has turned Greece into another major communication hub to reach the heart of Europe from the Mediterranean instead of by ship skirting around Italy, France, Spain and through the Atlantic Ocean. Greece is now a door to Europe, a short cut and this would make Greece a very important gateway and would contribute greatly to its economy. All the ships would end their journeys at Greece. Greece is saved.

    Malaysia in a big way will become the commercial centre of SE Asia, replacing Singapore. Sad, but this is the price for playing into the wrong hand by their shortsightedness. Singapore is going to be a big loser and Malaysia a big winner, provided Malaysia did not scuttle this development by their stupid racial politics.

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  11. China went ahead with......OBOR = One Belt One Road!

    How about Singapore?

    Singapore also has its own.....OBOR = Own Belt Own Road!

    Not baD, right?

    But.....is Singapore's OBOR = 死路一条? or 自寻死路?

    I don't know! Many of you also don't know too!

    However, worry not worry not!

    Our highest paid talented leaders will lead the way.......our own OBOR?

    So belt up and sit tight!

    10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,3,1,0........OBOR.....here we come!!!

    Hahaha...............





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  12. Singapore also has its own.....OBOR = Own Belt Own Road!
    10:58 am

    Singapore u die your business.

    U live also your business.

    U poor your business.

    U rich also your business.

    U emigrate your business.

    U don't emigrate also your business.

    ReplyDelete

  13. Anonymous 1109am.......so...........in Singapore......

    U OBOR also your business lah?

    Clever! Clever! Clever!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Singapore also has our own OBOR.
    It's called OPOR.
    One Party One Road.

    ReplyDelete
  15. /// Malaysia in a big way will become the commercial centre of SE Asia, replacing Singapore. ///

    Malaysia joins China's OBOR.
    Singapore joins India's CECA.
    Well done.
    Good choice.

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  16. When one's luck is down & out, whatever they do will always be wrong. CECA is an example.

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  17. Doesn't make sense for Greece to be along the main OBOR. It can be a minor dirt-road but not the highway. Why??? Coz the direct, shortest & fastest way is through Kazakhstan then Russia then Ukraine then Eastern Europe and rest of Europe.

    In fact it makes much more sense to build medium-sized roads & smaller highways through the rest of the 4 Stan-countries (Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan) and Turkey. The Stan's have lots of oil/gas, minerals etc that China wants, and Turkey is a major import/export hub to the rest of Middle East and also has an economy many times bigger than Greece. This fulfills the major purpose of OBOR --- strategic & tactical control and acquisition of oil, gas and other strategic materials for China. Export of cheap Asian-made junk to Europe is just for show.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Do you think Singapore's OBOR is called NMRR ??
    No Money, Run Road ??

    http://statestimesreview.com/2017/05/15/24-jump-in-registered-singaporeans-emigration-over-9-years/

    ReplyDelete
  19. http://statestimesreview.com/2017/05/16/lee-hsien-loong-lost-s9-78-billion-cpf-money-in-gic-after-selling-ubs-stocks/

    ReplyDelete

  20. hahaha........

    Don't worry lah!

    We oso have our own OBOR!

    死路一条? or 自寻死路?

    Choose your own OBOR!

    hahaha........

    ReplyDelete
  21. We're on the Highway to Hell.
    (Thank you 70%)

    Highway to Hell.
    (Thank you Founding Father)

    AC/DC - Highway to Hell
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKggnBh2Mdw

    ReplyDelete
  22. While Khazakstan serves the main highway from China to Europe, Greece will serve the countries in Africa and Middle East to Europe. Previously Greece was by passed as the ships go through Gilbrata to the England Channel, to Germany and Holland and Scandinavia. Now by road/rail from Greece to these countries direct.

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  23. //Blogger Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...
    ... serve the countries in Africa and Middle East...//

    That's why it makes more sense to develop Turkey instead of Greece. Yes, Greece is more desperate and will kow-tow more to China --- but this is simply going for immediate gratification at the expense of longer-term efficiency & productivity.

    Also Italy & France already have long-established trade routes & links with North Africa --- OBOR just need to dovetail into existing rail & trade networks. Instead of wasting billions of dollars in a basket-case country like Greece.

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  24. @ May 16, 2017 1:48 pm

    If you look at the map of OBOR in the link below.
    Greece makes more sense than Turkey.

    http://edition.cnn.com/2017/05/13/asia/china-belt-and-road-forum-xi-putin-erdogan/

    As Singaporeans, do you think it's important that we do not imitate PAP's arrogance?
    We should not presume that peesai knows better than China.

    ReplyDelete
  25. BELT & ROAD FORUM (MAY 2017)
    -------------------------------
    The Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation being held by China on May 14–15, 2017 in Beijing, drawing 29 foreign heads of state and government and representatives from more than 130 countries and 70 international organizations.

    It is the premier diplomatic event in the year's Chinese diplomatic calendar and the highest profile international event promoting the Belt and Road Initiative.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belt_and_Road_Forum
    +++++++++++++++

    Why Ah Loong not there ah?
    Not invited is it?

    Just as Singaporeans in Singapore can be easily replaced with foreigners.
    Do you think maybe overseas, Ah Loong can also be easily replaced by other ASEAN leaders?

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  26. What is Singapore involvement in OBOR?

    Is Singapore playing one of the leading stars or just play a "keh-lay-fei" role?

    At what stage of "feng-sui" stages is Singapore in? Because 风水轮流转!

    Or is it Singapore算不如天算?

    At the end, please remember.........人是斗不过天的!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Turkey is not connected to Europe by land while Greece is. France or whatever may have their developed connections with Africa. Don't forget, the biggest shipping lines are Chinese and they all call at Greece as a choice to make Greece THE port in the Mediterranean. Everything carried by the Chinese shippers will go to and from Greece. The Chinese also own and operate the port in Greece.

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  28. Rb, based on your knowledge, is Singapore involved in China obor? Or we are totally left out?

    ReplyDelete
  29. China said it welcomes everyone to participate in the OBOR.
    Looking at the maps presented by China, Singapore seems to be not in the main maritime route and the SE Asian hub is Malaysia. If the maps are what they are, think Singapore is not a key player.

    But Singapore can always bid for contracts for projects along the OBOR. There are thousands of projects that Singapore can get involved by bidding for them just like building smart cities in India.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Maerial Art ObserverMay 16, 2017 4:01 pm

    Singapore leaders have been playing a Double-Headed Snake Diplomacy since Independence in 1965. Depending on Self-Interests and Mutual Interests, Singapore navigate an Extremely Tight-Rope according to which way the Wind (WIN) blows in Global Geopolitics. The Old Guards were able to do it well in the interests of Self Survival. But the present lot of scholar-generals, nurtured through incubators and sanitized laboratories, dependent not on experience but on book-theories and past goodwill built by the Old Guardsb, at now the the Zenith of Difficulties because they simply have NO Vision, Direction and Geopolitical Acumen.

    Compare the Leaders of China and those of Singapore is like comparing Kung Fu Masters with Small Boys playing with water guns bought for them by their Papa!

    Singapore is now at the Cross Road of Disaster. It is definitely not on board the One Belt One Road. It does not even qualify to hold a Kung Fu White Belt!

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  31. Mr RB, no wonder our Greatest PM Luke warm.

    More pak chi (Korean say "fighting" for TPP.)

    No wonder send him to Bhutan.

    World Happiest People m.ca

    Can hide or retire with my billions when time is right.

    To Hell with UBS lost of billions.

    Got see my face in video of world's richness politicians or not.

    My face inside got or not? ?

    ReplyDelete
  32. Singapore used to walk the tight ropes and earned the respect of the big powers. But somewhere along the way they lost their way and started to lean on the Americans to screw the Chinese but claiming to be neutral as Tommy Koh tried to tell the Chinese without blinking his eyes.

    The Chinese simply ignored him for trying to state the obvious. He must have lost all credibility in their eyes, thinking that the Chinese are fools.

    The only choice left for Singapore is to sleep with India and hope to get out alive. They are still clinging to the stupid and disastrous CECA and wanted to raise it to a higher level. This kind of stupidity is unbelievable.

    ReplyDelete
  33. About half of those OBOR projects will not make money, just like Suzhou & Tianjin. So if want to invest must evaluate carefully. OBOR is for the benefit of China --- overall may be good for some of the populations along the way, in the next 50-100 years. But in the meantime & especially during the construction phase, many will be sacrificed for the greater good. The Chinese mentality is like the building of the Great Wall. Make sure you're not 1 of those bei kambings.

    The latest is Malaysia rejecting the previously-agreed state-sponsored China company for building Bandar M'sia and the HSR to S'pore. Instead M'sia awarding contract to some Ang Moh company. You think Najib is playing some political game with the Cheenas??

    As for Ah Neh "smart cities", won't be surprised if Sinkie joint-ventures & private-public partnerships go bankrupt after 3-5 years. Don't forget some of those Sinkie money is from taxpayers --- budget surplus going into Temasek, which is being used to play investment all over the world (Tianjin also used some Sinkie taxpayer money).

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  34. Anonymous 4.01 pm is 1oo% correct to say that singapore is definitely not on board the One Belt One Road.

    Hahaha......not to worry......as I had said before, we have our version of Own Belt Own Road!

    According to uncle rb 3.43 pm, the main maritime route and the SE Asian hub is Malaysia. In that case the PSA Mega Port at Tuas will "吃自己"!

    ReplyDelete

  35. Wait till they potong the Isthmus of Kra at Thailand then sinkieland be One Belt.


    Tighten ONE BELT ONE ROAD to hell.

    PSA MEGA becomes Please Suck Again.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Martial Art ObserverMay 16, 2017 4:30 pm

    Amended Version:

    Singapore leaders have been playing a Double-Headed Snake Diplomacy since Independence in 1965.

    Depending on Self-Interests and Mutual Interests, Singapore navigate an Extremely Tight-Rope according to which way the Wind (WIN) blows in Global Geopolitics.

    The Old Guards were able to do it well in the interests of Self Survival, to lean most of the time towards Western Powers, because China was weak.

    Now that the Dragon has been awaken and growing from strength to strength, Singapore which was once One of the Rising Small Dragons of Asia, has turned into a tiny Lizard, befitting the name of her present PM.

    The present lot of scholar-generals, nurtured through incubators and sanitized laboratories, dependent not on experience but on book-theories and past goodwill built by the Old Guards, are now at the Zenith of Difficulties, because they simply have Zilch Vision, Strategic Orientation, Direction, Political Goodwill and Geopolitical Acumen.

    Comparing the Leaders of China and those of Singapore is like comparing Kung Fu Masters with Small Boys playing with water guns bought for them by their Papa!

    Singapore is now at the Cross Road of Disaster. It is definitely not on board the One Belt One Road. It does not even qualify to hold a Kung Fu White Belt!

    Singapore leaders, please keep punching above your own weight until the weight drops onto your skull and numbs it for good, That is the way to GO!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Singapore leaders, please keep punching above your own weight until the weight drops onto your skull and numbs it for good, That is the way to GO!
    May 16, 2017 4:30 pm

    Don't say like that lah!
    Our PAP leaders have fallen behind in their skills set.
    They must re-skill and re-learn to UP their performance downturn.

    1. Learn how to kill dengue mosquitoes
    2. Learn how to operate a train properly without breakdown
    3. Learn how to invest money wisely in shares without losing billions of dollars.
    4. Learn how to catch rats
    5. Learn how to repair lifts
    6. Learn to stop mental masturbating so frequently.

    True or not?
    Fair or not?

    ReplyDelete
  38. OBOR is a marxist plot to take power over from the anglos. Marxism is not a very nice theory. It involves taking away freedom and creating big secret governments. Wealth (and hence assets) is in the hands of very few person. It is extreme capitalism. Lee who strongly opposed marxism of course was left out from this project.

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  39. It will divide the world into two - marxism vs angloism.

    ReplyDelete
  40. @ b @ May 16, 2017 6:36 pm

    Good God!
    You must be a Singaporean to be so ignorant of political theories and ideologies.
    You clearly do not understand the differences between communism, capitalism and fascism.
    (and WTF is angloism?)

    ReplyDelete
  41. In the 70s, delegations from other countries often visit Singapore to learn from our old-guard PAP Ministers.


    Nowadays, our million$-salaried PAP ministers visit other countries to learn from other countries' lowly-paid ministers.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Nowadays, our million$-salaried PAP ministers visit other countries to learn from other countries' lowly-paid ministers.
    May 16, 2017 8:04 pm

    Why don't we just cut out the middle man (PAP Ministers) and hire the foreign, lowly paid ministers instead.

    ReplyDelete

  43. Anon 4.16

    You want to do business with Ah Neys??

    You know the saying: Calculate Indian Accounts or Maths??

    UBS already lost one big chunk.

    You want to lose some more chunks??

    ALL THE EXTORTATION MONIES FROM SINGAPOREANS THROW INTO DRAINS??

    The saying, you want to earn a cent from Ah Neys, you got to shed a pint of blood.

    Sigh, goo kias mmm pak hor

    ReplyDelete
  44. No point kpkb here! Waste time!

    Singapore is like that lah!

    Too late to change!

    Can you make changes?

    If not don't kpkb!

    You pay the leeaders millions, they will take good care of everything!

    So go and sleep now!

    Good Night!

    ReplyDelete
  45. /// Can you make changes?
    If not don't kpkb! ///
    May 16, 2017 10:42 pm

    Slave. Please know your place in Singapore society.
    Citizens do the kpkb because we are entitled.
    Slaves and running dogs like you.
    Please shut the fuck up.

    ReplyDelete

  46. good morning anonymous 11.13pm........

    please continue to kpkb and kpkb and kpkb.........

    good for you.........

    all the best to you........

    hahaha.................

    ReplyDelete