Wednesday 30 August 2017
On 30 August Teresa attended a talk by Professor Brian Moloughney on the Belt and Road initiative organised by NZ China Friendship Society. The initiative basically focuses on the old silk road over land (belt) and the maritime silk road (road). It is a proposed initiative by the Chinese government to involve governments of over 100 countries to work towards building better infrastructure projects, people to people contact, and promoting international trade along those areas. While New Zealand is not strictly speaking on the maritime silk road, it has enthusiastically signed up to support the Asia infrastructure bank ahead of Australia. Professor Moloughney indicated that China’s motivation is to support developing countries to lift the living standards of their people as it has done so for its own people. In the process, it may cement China’s position as the world’s new leader.
KEYWORDS: belt and road initiative, NZ China Friendship Society
