ARTICLE · 21 SEPTEMBER 2021

The Belt And Road Initiative

Smit & Van Wyk

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The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a significant infrastructure project designed to expand China's economic involvement on an international scale.

GlobalGovernment, Public Sector

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a significant infrastructure project designed to expand China's economic involvement on an international scale. Occasionally referred to as the "New Silk Road", the BRI was launched in 2013 by President Xi Jinping and presents vast opportunities for cross-border trade with the rest of Asia, Europe and Africa.

The BRI, as the name implies, is comprised of two infrastructure plans: an overland Silk Road Economic Belt and an overseas Maritime Silk Road. The Silk Road Economic Belt envisions an extensive system of land infrastructure, including railways, roads and energy pipelines, connecting China with Western countries. The Maritime Silk Road envisions port infrastructure development and optimised import/export processes, connecting China with Africa, Europe and Southeast Asia.

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